Baghdad Diaries, 1991-2002

(Paperback, New edition)

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Description

During the Gulf War in 1991, through long nights of relentless bombing and the disappearance of all amenities, Iraqi artist Nuha al-Radi began keeping a diary from her Baghdad home. In it, she captures scenes of surreal intensity as birds fly upside down, citizens feast royally on food about to spoil and randy dogs receive fan letters thanks to CNN. The diaries continue throughout the ensuing bleak years under sanctions, depicting the difficulties of day-to-day survival but also the funny and macabre goings-on about town. Her entries continue into exile and end in November 2002. Al-Radi records the transformation of a country where only a few years earlier the main problem facing Iraqi children had been obesity; but what emanates most vibrantly from these personal tales is the spirit of endurance and a celebration of the smallest of life's joys.

Reviews

'I searched for recent books about Iraq that described it as a real country. I found only one, the excellent Baghdad Diaries.' Edward Said 'I read Baghdad Diaries at a gulp and was left feeling very humble. I hope many people will read this book and note the futility of war and perhaps do something about it; all my life I have cherished this hope in vain, but we must not stop.' Mary Wesley 'One of the few highly personal accounts of life in Baghdad to come out of Iraq since 1991, this diary documents the daily hardships of life under sanctions and bombardment.' Edward Said 'Insouciant, charming and witty, with much black humour. Al-Radi writes poignantly.' The Independent 'As illuminating today as it was [when first written].' Martin Woollacott, The Guardian 'Something of what sanctions mean for ordinary Iraqis...records the day-to-day struggle for survival.'TLS

Author Bio

Born in Baghdad in 1941, Nuha al-Radi trained at the Byan Shaw School of Art in London in the early 1960s and later taught at the American University of Beirut. A painter, ceramist and sculptor, her works have been shown throughout the Arab world and Europe. She now resides in Beirut.