From the only journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Iraq, here is the riveting account of ordinary people caught between the struggles of nations. Determined to offer an unfiltered version of events, the Washington Post's Anthony Shadid was neither embedded with soldiers nor briefed by politicians. Because he is fluent in Arabic, Shadid—an Arab-American born and raised in Oklahoma—was able to actually disappear into the divided, dangerous worlds of Iraq. Day by day, as American dreams clashed with Arab notions of justice, he pieced together the human story of ordinary Iraqis weathering the terrible dislocations and tragedies of war. Through the lives of Sunnis and Shiites, men and women, American sympathizers, and outraged young men newly transformed into martyrs, Shadid shows us the journey of defiant, hopeful, resilient Iraq. Moving from battle scenes to subdued streets enlivened only by the call to prayer, Shadid uses the experiences of his characters to illustrate how Saddam's downfall paved the way not only for democracy but also for an Islamic reawakening and jihad. NIGHT DRAWS NEAR—as compelling as it is human—is an illuminating and poignant account from a reporter whose coverage has drawn international attention and acclaim.
Download and start listening now!
"I am very glad that I read this book. It gives a sensitive view of the people -- individual people and families -- that were victimized by the ravages of what followed the reign of Sadam Hossein. The author does not offer opinions. He does not take sides. He talks about the people that he came to know during his stay in Iraq. His driver and guide, a family of a mother and 4 daughters who are barely surviving day to day, people who were rich, people who were poor, Shiites, Sunnis.........I recommend this book to everyone."
— Beth (4 out of 5 stars)
He has achieved nothing short of authoring the first classic, indispensable account of the Iraq War.
— The American Prospect“Extraordinary ability to capture, at personal peril, the voices and emotions of iraqis as their country was invaded, their leader toppled, and their way of life upended.
— 2004 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting Citation for Anthony Shadid" I am very glad that I read this book. It gives a sensitive view of the people -- individual people and families -- that were victimized by the ravages of what followed the reign of Sadam Hossein. The author does not offer opinions. He does not take sides. He talks about the people that he came to know during his stay in Iraq. His driver and guide, a family of a mother and 4 daughters who are barely surviving day to day, people who were rich, people who were poor, Shiites, Sunnis.........I recommend this book to everyone. "
— Beth, 2/16/2014" I cannot bring myself to read this book. Makes me a bad person, but it is what it is. "
— Beverly, 2/11/2014" I cannot bring myself to read this book. Makes me a bad person, but it is what it is. "
— Beverly, 2/11/2014" This isn't a political book as much as it is an exploration of the people of Iraq and the problems they face. The invasion by the USA didn't help and just added to their misery and made their problems worse. Very sad at times and I feel much compassion for the people. Guilt by association since I am an American. "
— Kristina, 2/7/2014" This isn't a political book as much as it is an exploration of the people of Iraq and the problems they face. The invasion by the USA didn't help and just added to their misery and made their problems worse. Very sad at times and I feel much compassion for the people. Guilt by association since I am an American. "
— Kristina, 2/7/2014" am listening to this incredible book on tape. anthony shadid draws his audience into the neighborhoods and daily lives of prewar iraq. shadid is a gifted journalist who is passionate without taking sides in describing events that have become history. well worth reading for any and all to understand more of what a mess of peoples' lives the invasion to get rid of saddam hussein made. "
— siga, 1/26/2014" am listening to this incredible book on tape. anthony shadid draws his audience into the neighborhoods and daily lives of prewar iraq. shadid is a gifted journalist who is passionate without taking sides in describing events that have become history. well worth reading for any and all to understand more of what a mess of peoples' lives the invasion to get rid of saddam hussein made. "
— siga, 1/26/2014" This a memoir of an American journalist who went to Iraq a few months before the 2003 US invasion, and stayed for the year that followed. He interviewed and formed relationships with people all over the country-- of every sect and class, and his anecdotes really help to humanize the conflict. "
— Katlin, 1/20/2014" This a memoir of an American journalist who went to Iraq a few months before the 2003 US invasion, and stayed for the year that followed. He interviewed and formed relationships with people all over the country-- of every sect and class, and his anecdotes really help to humanize the conflict. "
— Katlin, 1/20/2014" not very well written, and he's a journalist. But provides good on-the-ground Iraqi perspective. of course, it is dated now, but good glimpse of the climate during that period of the occupation. "
— Claire, 1/13/2014" not very well written, and he's a journalist. But provides good on-the-ground Iraqi perspective. of course, it is dated now, but good glimpse of the climate during that period of the occupation. "
— Claire, 1/13/2014" Sometimes it isn't as simple as it looks on CNN. "
— Elise, 1/9/2014" Sometimes it isn't as simple as it looks on CNN. "
— Elise, 1/9/2014" Very well-reported and written account of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq from the point of view of Iraqis. Highly recommended. "
— Matt, 1/8/2014" An important and captivating look at the lives of common people in Iraq, a group so cruelly neglected by the media and altogether left out of the American story of the war, Shadid's book is essential reading for anyone who pays his/her taxes. "
— Michael, 1/8/2014" Very well-reported and written account of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq from the point of view of Iraqis. Highly recommended. "
— Matt, 1/8/2014" An important and captivating look at the lives of common people in Iraq, a group so cruelly neglected by the media and altogether left out of the American story of the war, Shadid's book is essential reading for anyone who pays his/her taxes. "
— Michael, 1/8/2014" Reading it was a breath-taking experience.. but listening to Shadid reading from his book was magical .. i saw him not reading from the book .. it was his feelings .. he was back to Iraq every time he start reading a paragraph .. magical ,,, "
— Fatma, 1/1/2014" Reading it was a breath-taking experience.. but listening to Shadid reading from his book was magical .. i saw him not reading from the book .. it was his feelings .. he was back to Iraq every time he start reading a paragraph .. magical ,,, "
— Fatma, 1/1/2014" Gorgeous prose really brings Iraqis to life. This should be required reading. "
— Mfalco65, 12/27/2013" Gorgeous prose really brings Iraqis to life. This should be required reading. "
— Mfalco65, 12/27/2013" Perspective of an Arabic speaking US born journalist who covers the war in Iraq, interviews families there, and shares the feelings and needs of the Iraqi people. "
— Hurston, 10/3/2013" Perspective of an Arabic speaking US born journalist who covers the war in Iraq, interviews families there, and shares the feelings and needs of the Iraqi people. "
— Hurston, 10/3/2013" A brilliant journalist and writer but to much was known about Iraq before I read this to make it feel as eye opening as I hoped. His death this year was a true loss to the field of journalism. "
— Ellen, 9/24/2013" A brilliant journalist and writer but to much was known about Iraq before I read this to make it feel as eye opening as I hoped. His death this year was a true loss to the field of journalism. "
— Ellen, 9/24/2013" Solid (if now slightly outdated) look at the state of Iraq, from a perspective Westerners don't normally get. Felt a lot more knowledgeable about Arabic/Islamic history and mindset after reading this. "
— Chris, 5/15/2012" Solid (if now slightly outdated) look at the state of Iraq, from a perspective Westerners don't normally get. Felt a lot more knowledgeable about Arabic/Islamic history and mindset after reading this. "
— Chris, 5/15/2012" Simply disturbing and awful and beautiful. "
— Sarah, 11/27/2011" Simply disturbing and awful and beautiful. "
— Sarah, 11/27/2011" After reading this book, I am convinced that going into Iraq at this time was very unwise -- we just had NO IDEA what we were getting into... "
— Lana, 6/23/2011" After reading this book, I am convinced that going into Iraq at this time was very unwise -- we just had NO IDEA what we were getting into... "
— Lana, 6/23/2011" An important and captivating look at the lives of common people in Iraq, a group so cruelly neglected by the media and altogether left out of the American story of the war, Shadid's book is essential reading for anyone who pays his/her taxes. "
— Michael, 6/2/2011" An important and captivating look at the lives of common people in Iraq, a group so cruelly neglected by the media and altogether left out of the American story of the war, Shadid's book is essential reading for anyone who pays his/her taxes. "
— Michael, 6/2/2011" Solid (if now slightly outdated) look at the state of Iraq, from a perspective Westerners don't normally get. Felt a lot more knowledgeable about Arabic/Islamic history and mindset after reading this. "
— Chris, 10/8/2010" Solid (if now slightly outdated) look at the state of Iraq, from a perspective Westerners don't normally get. Felt a lot more knowledgeable about Arabic/Islamic history and mindset after reading this. "
— Chris, 10/8/2010" Reading it was a breath-taking experience.. but listening to Shadid reading from his book was magical .. i saw him not reading from the book .. it was his feelings .. he was back to Iraq every time he start reading a paragraph .. magical ,,, "
— Fatma, 8/27/2009" Reading it was a breath-taking experience.. but listening to Shadid reading from his book was magical .. i saw him not reading from the book .. it was his feelings .. he was back to Iraq every time he start reading a paragraph .. magical ,,, "
— Fatma, 8/27/2009" Gorgeous prose really brings Iraqis to life. This should be required reading. "
— Mfalco65, 12/17/2008" Gorgeous prose really brings Iraqis to life. This should be required reading. "
— Mfalco65, 12/17/2008Anthony Shadid (1968–2012), an unparalleled chronicler of the human stories behind the news, gained attention and awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, for his front-page reports in the Washington Post from Iraq. He was the only American reporter there who spoke Arabic. As the senior Middle East correspondent for the New York Times, he earned his second Pulitzer.