BADHDAD is called the City of Peace, pretty ironic since it has been invaded over and over again throughout the years. It has been the center of struggle in the Middle East since almost the start of time. Justin Marozzi begins his historical look at BAGHDAD starting with Caliph Masur in 762 and follows all the way through to current time including the invasions by America.

Justin Marozzi has spent countless hours researching and traveling throughout BAGHDAD and Iraq in preparation for writing this book and it shows in the reading. Marozzi goes over 1300 years of history including information about invasions and battles from the Turks to Byzantines to the British, the Ottoman and finally America. He describes the rulers and their ruthlessness in controlling the people in details he gained from old writing and stories. His description of the acts committed by Saddam Hussein and his sons are shocking and disturbing.

Any student of history or just the casual reader who is interested in the ways and whys of Iraq should read BAGHDAD by Justin Marozzi. They are people who have suffered greatly for hundreds of years by ruthless men in search of power. BAGHDAD is a well researched in depth look into a nation that has had a massive impact on not only our country but many over the last 1300 years.