A Reality Show with No End in Sight

Oil, Power & Empire
Iraq and the U.S. Global Agenda
By Larry Everest
Common Courage Press, 2004 392 pages, $19.95

When you dwell in a society that can barely see past the next fiscal quarter, the notion of historical context is more often than not in short supply…and whether you believe the U.S. invasion of Iraq is an international war crime or a major victory in the war on terror, it’s virtually impossible to fully appreciate the nuances of this ever-evolving situation without a firm grasp on what’s come before. "On many levels," writes Larry Everest in his meticulously researched book, "the roots of the 2003 Iraq war extend back some 80 years to Great Britain’s invasion and conquest of the land of Mesopotamia, its 20-plus year occupation, and its creation of the country of Iraq." But, before your eyes glaze over, be warned: This is not an arcane history lesson. "Oil, Power & Empire" is a non-fiction page-turner, an antidote to sound bites and pull quotes, a reality show with no end in sight…as Everest shines an uncompromising light on all the flashpoints and pretexts (oil, sanctions, WMD, terrorism links, etc.) and reveals the history and context needed to begin comprehending war, terror, and occupation in the land that Time (and Newsweek) forgot.

MICKEY Z. is the author of two upcoming books: "A Gigantic Mistake: Articles and Essays for Your Intellectual Self-Defense" (Prime Books/Library Empyreal) and "Seven Deadly Spins: Exposing the Lies Behind War Propaganda" (Common Courage Press). He can be reached at mzx2@earthlink.net.