A Hundred and One Days: Book Review

     

I read this book because I wanted to understand a bit more about what life was like in Baghdad before and during the 2003 war and the first part of the occupation. The whole account was fascinating. 

Seierstad (author of The Bookseller of Kabul) was a journalist in Baghdad for 101 days. She describes the massive frustrations with the system and the censorship. Over time this gradually broke down and she was able to see more of the real Baghdad.

 I feel she gives a fair account of how terrible life was under Sadam but also how terrible it was during the war and the ensuing occupation. It's hard to read it and not be  angry with the occupying forces- the whole reason the soldiers give for being there (9/11 is given way too often as the reason - but what did that have to do with Baghdadis?); the trigger- happy armies; the lack of planning for the aftermath and the unwise cultural decisions. A very thought-provoking read.