An astonishing account of governing a province of Iraq during the Coalitions Provisional Authority by the prize winning author, Rory Stewart
Occupational Hazards: My Time Governing in Iraq
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"This book is an astonishing narrative of what it was like to try and piece together a country after invasion." -- Traveller Magazine
"This book is devastating." -- The Sunday Times
"While the story might be tragic, his recounting of it is both witty and perceptive." -- The Times
'A travel book like no other' -- Independent on sunday
'As the mess in Iraq deepens, I'm more and more glad I read Rory
Stewart's 'Occupational Hazards'' -- Books of the Year Books of the Year, Evening Standard
'Beautifully written, highly evocative -- John Simpson
'Stewart's mesmerising account...bears the stamp of great reportage...wonderfully observed, wise, evocative and painfully attuned to human frailty.' -- Observer
'This is an extraordinarily vivid tale with many exciting episodes.' -- Guardian
Ken Loach "Absolutely absorbing."
Richard Holmes "[a] wonderful book." -- Start the Week, Radio 4
‘Stewart's [Iraq] is a place, and his book a brave achievement.’ -- Daily Telegraph
"This book is devastating." -- The Sunday Times
"While the story might be tragic, his recounting of it is both witty and perceptive." -- The Times
'A travel book like no other' -- Independent on sunday
'As the mess in Iraq deepens, I'm more and more glad I read Rory
Stewart's 'Occupational Hazards'' -- Books of the Year Books of the Year, Evening Standard
'Beautifully written, highly evocative -- John Simpson
'Stewart's mesmerising account...bears the stamp of great reportage...wonderfully observed, wise, evocative and painfully attuned to human frailty.' -- Observer
'This is an extraordinarily vivid tale with many exciting episodes.' -- Guardian
Ken Loach "Absolutely absorbing."
Richard Holmes "[a] wonderful book." -- Start the Week, Radio 4
‘Stewart's [Iraq] is a place, and his book a brave achievement.’ -- Daily Telegraph
Book Description
A powerful follow up to Rory Stewart's remarkable debut, The Places In Between, which won the Royal Society of Literature Oondatje Award and the Spirit of Scotland Award and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award, the John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize and the Scottish Book of the Year Prize. At the age of thirty, Rory was appointed coalition deputy Governor of two provinces in the Marsh region of southern Iraq. He kept a journal of his experiences struggling to control assassinations and tribal conflict, rebuild the region's infrastructure and establish a new Iraqi government before the hand over of power in June 2004. His time in the Marsh region culminated in a terrifying siege during which he and his team were under sustained attack by insurgents. Haunted by his previous work and travels in Asia, Rory brings a unique sensitivity and perspective to the daily interactions between Iraqis and the coalition and to the perils and even comedy of foreign occupation. His luminous, sharp edged prose reveals a different Iraq to the one familiar to us from print and broadcast journalism and provides a nuanced and sympathetic picture of individuals, both Iraqi and foreign, struggling to manage the collapse of a state.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By C. Foster
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rory Stewart tells the amazing tale of 2 regions of Iraq before the handover to Iraqi control.
What seems to be a modestly written account of his time in Iraq, this book details the incredibly convoluted politics of the regions he worked in as governor or deputy.
It brings to life the "story behind the headlines" - except there were no headlines about the violence and intense political negotiations being carried out on our behalf.
Dealing with everyone from the U.N. to local Iraqi mayors, Rory Stewart pulls no punches, but nor does he set out to criticise any party.
I would recommend that this is read in conjunction with "Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War" by Richard Holmes which tells a similar story that happened at around the same time, but from the army's perspective.
The best book I have read in quite a few years.
What seems to be a modestly written account of his time in Iraq, this book details the incredibly convoluted politics of the regions he worked in as governor or deputy.
It brings to life the "story behind the headlines" - except there were no headlines about the violence and intense political negotiations being carried out on our behalf.
Dealing with everyone from the U.N. to local Iraqi mayors, Rory Stewart pulls no punches, but nor does he set out to criticise any party.
I would recommend that this is read in conjunction with "Dusty Warriors: Modern Soldiers at War" by Richard Holmes which tells a similar story that happened at around the same time, but from the army's perspective.
The best book I have read in quite a few years.
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Petrolhead
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Rory Stewart gives us a rare, enlightening and honest (albeit subjective) account of what it was like on the ground as an administrator in provincial Iraq in the early days after the invasion.
Tasked with developing and effectively governing one of Iraq's regions, he encounters slippery sheikhs, treacherous clerics, post-modern civil-society-builders, cowardly Italians and -- later -- mortar bombs and RPGs. On arriving, he seems to be terribly out of his depth, largely because he is unprepared and unsupported, but he never seems daunted and one gets the impression that most people would have done a much worse job. But it's painfully clear that the overall operation was woefully inadequate in preparation, naive in its conception and incompetent in its execution.
The story is littered with broken promises that seem to surprise Stewart and his hard-pressed colleagues. If you were against the war to begin with, you may find yourself wondering: "Just what did you expect? How could you ever expect to just walk in there and run Iraq?" But Stewart seems confident that success is possible and he tirelessly tries to engage with all the major players. His optimism is completely devoid of any neo-con zealotry -- he's just there to do a job. This is laudable, but with hindsight we know all his efforts are doomed, thwarted by US incompetence, Iranian interference, and Iraqi sectarianism, and so, unavoidably, it proves.
Stewart writes well, explains complex tribal politics elegantly, and is thoroughly polite about the people he deals with, often through gritted teeth. Even the people who really let him down, like the Italians, are only a small part of a much bigger picture, so it would have been interesting to hear him explain why he thought the whole project fell apart in the end. Similarly, his descriptions of Bremer's bureaucracy in Baghdad are peppered with black humour and appalling indifference to reality but, although he teeters on the brink, he never launches a real barrage at Bremer and his flunkies. One wonders why not. Is he just too diplomatic? Were they not to blame?
His book is a fascinating insider's perspective and will be a useful source for historians of the war for decades to come.
Tasked with developing and effectively governing one of Iraq's regions, he encounters slippery sheikhs, treacherous clerics, post-modern civil-society-builders, cowardly Italians and -- later -- mortar bombs and RPGs. On arriving, he seems to be terribly out of his depth, largely because he is unprepared and unsupported, but he never seems daunted and one gets the impression that most people would have done a much worse job. But it's painfully clear that the overall operation was woefully inadequate in preparation, naive in its conception and incompetent in its execution.
The story is littered with broken promises that seem to surprise Stewart and his hard-pressed colleagues. If you were against the war to begin with, you may find yourself wondering: "Just what did you expect? How could you ever expect to just walk in there and run Iraq?" But Stewart seems confident that success is possible and he tirelessly tries to engage with all the major players. His optimism is completely devoid of any neo-con zealotry -- he's just there to do a job. This is laudable, but with hindsight we know all his efforts are doomed, thwarted by US incompetence, Iranian interference, and Iraqi sectarianism, and so, unavoidably, it proves.
Stewart writes well, explains complex tribal politics elegantly, and is thoroughly polite about the people he deals with, often through gritted teeth. Even the people who really let him down, like the Italians, are only a small part of a much bigger picture, so it would have been interesting to hear him explain why he thought the whole project fell apart in the end. Similarly, his descriptions of Bremer's bureaucracy in Baghdad are peppered with black humour and appalling indifference to reality but, although he teeters on the brink, he never launches a real barrage at Bremer and his flunkies. One wonders why not. Is he just too diplomatic? Were they not to blame?
His book is a fascinating insider's perspective and will be a useful source for historians of the war for decades to come.
63 of 68 people found the following review helpful
By Guy Edmunds
Format:Hardcover
This book, Rory Stewart's second, is hugely impressive. Those who enjoyed The Places in Between, his astonishing account of his walk across Afghanistan, may have wondered "Where on earth does he go from here?" The answer lies in this gripping account of his year working for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.
Stewart clearly makes for a talented administrator, bringing enormous energy, enthusiasm, deft political judgement and skilful diplomacy to the job at hand. His writing is understated, crisp, lucid and occasionally poetic. His descriptions of those he meets reveal a perceptive eye and deep sense of humanity, while his comments on policy reveal a keen intellect and reflect a wisdom borne of experience. He is sceptical about the grand rhetoric and designs emanating from Baghdad, wary of the all-too-easy universal theories of "foreigners in a hurry", and pragmatic about what he can achieve in a limited period of time. And throughout the chaos, confusion and intermittent danger, you have the impression that he is unfailingly polite.
Stewart's narrative is also, I suspect, unusual in at least three other respects. He demonstrates a clear honesty about his own limitations that more careerist bureaucrats might avoid. He records disagreements about policy decisions with little desire to settle scores or have the last word. And he displays a deep interest in Iraqi history and culture that contextualises the narrative magnificently. Should you feel a little perplexed by the proliferation of political factions, sheikhs and tribes that tumble across his pages, do not be put off; consider instead the size of the challenge that confronted those foreign administrators.
This is an insider history that shirks sensationalism, and is all the more powerful for doing so. It provides an important counterpoint to those self-appointed experts whose newspaper columns are often longer on opinions than genuine expertise. If you wish to understand the dynamics of modern Iraq, to explore the grand rhetoric and sobering reality of twenty-first century nation-building, or simply want a damn good yarn, then read this book.
Stewart clearly makes for a talented administrator, bringing enormous energy, enthusiasm, deft political judgement and skilful diplomacy to the job at hand. His writing is understated, crisp, lucid and occasionally poetic. His descriptions of those he meets reveal a perceptive eye and deep sense of humanity, while his comments on policy reveal a keen intellect and reflect a wisdom borne of experience. He is sceptical about the grand rhetoric and designs emanating from Baghdad, wary of the all-too-easy universal theories of "foreigners in a hurry", and pragmatic about what he can achieve in a limited period of time. And throughout the chaos, confusion and intermittent danger, you have the impression that he is unfailingly polite.
Stewart's narrative is also, I suspect, unusual in at least three other respects. He demonstrates a clear honesty about his own limitations that more careerist bureaucrats might avoid. He records disagreements about policy decisions with little desire to settle scores or have the last word. And he displays a deep interest in Iraqi history and culture that contextualises the narrative magnificently. Should you feel a little perplexed by the proliferation of political factions, sheikhs and tribes that tumble across his pages, do not be put off; consider instead the size of the challenge that confronted those foreign administrators.
This is an insider history that shirks sensationalism, and is all the more powerful for doing so. It provides an important counterpoint to those self-appointed experts whose newspaper columns are often longer on opinions than genuine expertise. If you wish to understand the dynamics of modern Iraq, to explore the grand rhetoric and sobering reality of twenty-first century nation-building, or simply want a damn good yarn, then read this book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An intriguing and insightful account of important recent history
Rory Stewart is almost unique as a commentator on the post-war development of Iraq and Afghanistan in the last decade. Read more
Published 22 days ago by A. K. Johnston
5.0 out of 5 stars
gives depth
excellent to go deeper than the media soundbites and Western thinktank powerpoint solutions - this book shows some of the massively complex and rich cultures and histories in these... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Hector
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing, informative, intellectually satisfying.
Please read the reviews of Guy Edmonds, 'Petrolhead' and others above - I can't add anything more, other than PLEASE NOTE, this book has apparently the same content as 'Prince of... Read more
Published 21 months ago by G. R. Buck
4.0 out of 5 stars
Occupational hazards
I have this very minute completed reading Rory Stewarts book Occupational Hazards. After the first 200 pages I was going to put it down it was hard work, but I continued finished... Read more
Published 24 months ago by lanco
1.0 out of 5 stars
Double up!
I ordered "Occupational Hazards" by Rory Stewart because I had enjoyed his 'other' book 'The Prince of the Marshes", also on his time spent in Iraq, very much. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2010 by J. Collinge
5.0 out of 5 stars
JANZREVIEW
Very good service.
You need to read this book to have any chance of understanding Iraq.
You need to read this book to have any chance of understanding Iraq.
Published on 26 Feb 2010 by Ms. J. E. Cawley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Before you buy this book - read this
I had this book AND 'The Prince of the Marshes' recommended to me by Amazon. I looked carefully at both descriptions and although I was suspicious because the titles are so... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2008 by E. Coles
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best book about Iraq
I was not enjoying this book very much and, unusually for me, did not even finish it. Far from being an easy read, to me it seemed disjointed and confusing. Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2007 by kevarms
5.0 out of 5 stars
WHERE HAVE AL THE QAEDA GONE?
In the absence of an index, I can't easily verify whether Al Qaeda get only one solitary mention (and that as just one of a list of suspects) in all the 400-odd pages of this book. Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2007 by DAVID BRYSON
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent read
This is a very personal account of Stewart's year in Iraq after the coalition victory. Stewart went to the Middle East looking for work and found it as Governorate Coordinator and... Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2007 by Seb M
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