Allies: The U.S., Britain, and Europe, and the War in Iraq

Naturally, Nixon was furious. Until then, no one knew about the bombing except the Cambodian people, the Pathet Lao, the Viet Cong and most everyone else in the region. Shawcross told the American people. The truth infuriated Nixon.

Well, hes done it again. Conservatives will hate this book, because Shawcross deftly points out the long litany of US stupidity that put Saddam Hussein in power, armed him and built up his regime. Maybe they can impeach him. Liberals will hate this book, because he uses devastating details to justify the military destruction of the Hussein regime. Maybe they can impeach him. Intelligent readers will love his writing.

Similar to his stories about the secret bombing Cambodia, Shawcross has a fondness for facts. It makes for grim reading, then and now. But, life is never perfect. We cant get perfect omelettes every meal; sometimes we have to settle for scrambled eggs. The underlying theme is basic, simple and utterly relevant to this years US elections, "The responsibility on America and its allies is immense. The only certainty is that they must succeed. The alternatives are too terrible to contemplate."

In simplest terms, Shawcross amply demonstrates how all Iraqis lived in terror from the threat that weapons of mass destruction might be used against any region courageous enough to rebel. Hussein had a choice; to comply fully with UN inspection demands and reveal himself as a bully without weapons, or stall the UN and hope it would go away and the Iraqis would be left living in fear of his savagery.

One of his most troubling assertion is that "US President George W. Bush polarizes. Richard Nixon did the same through his career, as did Margaret Thatcher. It is a matter of style and substance. The Bush presidency has created almost unprecedented tensions between Europe and the United States." True enough. Only a fool would argue otherwise. Its a sound argument for not re-electing Bush -- provided a "really nice guy" with a "great big smile" can be found to faithfully implement Bushs policies.

His most troubling example is a quote from a February 1998 speech by President Clinton who asserted, "If we fail to respond today, Saddam, and all those who would follow in his footsteps, will be emboldened tomorrow by the knowledge that they can act with impunity, even in the face of a clear message from the United Nations Security Council, and clear evidence of a weapons of mass destruction program."

Clinton couldnt act. The sheer hatred of him by Republicans in Congress, and many of those now in the Bush administration, focussed on a little Jewish girl with kneepads rather than an Iraqi dictator with ambitions to terrorize the MidEast. The past is done. The issue now is whether the current hatred of Bush will derail what Clinton could have done in 1998, or whether greater wisdom will prevail.

Shawcross states, "I repeat, America and the West have made serious mistakes in Iraq." Hes neither apologist nor opponent; he remains optimistic, "I believe the bottom line is this: For all its faults, Americqan commitment and American sacrifice are essential to the world. As in the twentieth century, so in the twenty-first, only America has both the power and the optimism to defend the international community against what really are the forces of darkness."

American voters will decide in November, just as Iraqi voters will soon get their opportunity to decide their future in free and open elections.

They came across as very selfish, self-serving ingrates - a point of view I hadnt considered before reading the book. As well, the clearly anti-American stance of both countries and their obstructionist politics are revealed in all their damaging and self-serving glory, along with the authors analysis why, no matter the reasons, it is fatal to the world community future.

The book is easily readable and short but contains a balanced perspective on the mistakes the US has made along the way coupled with the long history of Iraqs brutal dictatorship. The book makes the case that, in spite of the lack of found WMD, the war in Iraq was not only necessary but humane. I find myself in the uncomfortable position of agreeing with the authors view - though I am neither a Republican nor any fan of the Bush administration.

I gave the book 5 stars because of its readability, balanced view and the authors list of consulted resources and in spite of the many typos the book contains. Was the editor sleeping on the job or was this a rush to print?

At any rate, I highly recommend this book for two reasons:
1. Read by the people who already agree with the invasion of Iraq, it will give them cogent material to support their view and,
2. Read by the people who disagree with the invasion of Iraq, itll give a more balanced perspective and just might change a mind or two.

Finally, the book makes clear a fundamental truth that no matter what the reasons for the invasion, it is clearly the moral and ethical responsibility for the world community to support successful reconstruction of Iraq and ensure a free future for all of its citizens.