Whether he wants it to be or not, the Iraq war will always be the most memorable event in the premiership of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The war, which was deeply unpopular at the time and claimed the lives of 179 British service personnel, has been reported on and investigated extensively since it happened, but this book, written by someone who served in the Iraq war, is perhaps one of the most extensive and damning recounts available.
A War of Choice – The British in Iraq 2003-9 recounts the events leading up to, during and following the British and American occupation of Iraq in the early 2000s, as well as the beginnings of the war in Afghanistan. From the perspectives of military personnel, translators, civil servants and the occasional civilian, this book goes into immense detail, sometimes explicit, in order to recount the true unfolding of events in the Middle East.
I think this book needs to be required reading for every Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet politician, civil servant, top military personnel and anyone who has never really considered the war in Iraq. It is quite simply shocking. To read the accounts of what happened, the deep overconfidence, lack of consideration and sheer tactics used by those at the top to effectively engineer a war of their choice for their own gain was deeply disturbing. After going in on unfounded claims by then President Bush and Prime Minister Blair, to read the treatment of civilians, soldiers on all sides and the country itself was wholly disheartening. I have never been so dismayed at anything like it.
The author goes into remarkable depth and consideration in his writings, retelling the events from a multitude of angles and points of view that we would never get to hear so consistently from any other source. The care and consideration that has clearly been taken to expose the realities of this war was extensive and completely unfathomable, clearly showing the need for a book such as this.
This book should serve as a distinct warning to anyone who believes in unfounded British and American military fundamentalism. Whilst the use of military force is sometimes necessary or advisable, this is a clear example of the risks faced by doing so, especially for personal gain under the guise of something more. Even if this is not your particular genre or type of book, consider giving this book a read!
Rating: ★★★★★
A War of Choice – The British in Iraq 2003-9 (ISBN: 978-0-224-08958-6) was published in 2012
