Review of Erasing Iraq: The Human Costs of Carnage

In 2010, there was a session at the Brisbane Writers Festival entitled ‘What do Iraqis think?’, with Richard Hil and Paul Wilson. They are two of the three authors (the other being Michael Otterman) of the book, Erasing Iraq: The Human Costs of Carnage, which details what life is like for Iraqis since the invasion in 2003 by US and allied forces. We were all seated in a small but cosy space in the State Library of Queensland, with a view of the river behind the writers, and we were hearing things that were anything but cosy or comfortable.



These discomforting things are described thoroughly and well in the book, leaving no doubt as to the toxic effects of the war. Is this why there has been so little discussion of this volume in the mainstream media? Apart from that session at the festival, I have not read any full reviews or seen any articles or interviews in any Australian newspapers or journals. The website of Michael Otterman lists media attention, and I note some articles published in New Zealand and in New Matilda online. Otherwise, silence.

Continued at M/C Reviews: Culture and the Media.