William R. Polk's academic career centered on Arabic literature and history, bringing his expertise to institutions like Harvard University and the University of Chicago. Beyond academia, his influence extended to policy-making, serving on the Policy Planning Council under President Kennedy and actively participating in the negotiation of the Egyptian-Israeli Suez ceasefire. He also established the Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs, highlighting his dedication to international discourse. Polk's prolific writing, evidenced by nineteen books, showcases a deep engagement with his chosen fields.
Helps the reader comprehend Iraq, its diversities and contradictions, namely Arab and Kurd, Shia and Sunni, traditionalist and modern, secular and religious, pragmatic and radical. This book culminates in an indictment of the US for failing to learn the lessons of history in Iraq.