The Wars Against Saddam: Taking the Hard Road to Baghdad

His television programme "Simpson's World' has become a self-publicising parody and this book rather follows that. There are much better books on Iraq - a country I know reasonably well - and through spotting the mistakes in this one, I rather wonder about some of his accounts of other places.


A knight in shining armour   October 8, 2005
 2 out of 7 found this review helpful

John Simpson is like a knight in shining armour. He travels the world sharing his wisdom and wit with lesser mortals and then gets his team of researchers to write it all up in books. The BBC then advertises the books through a television advert called "Simpson's World'. Gullible readers who know nothing about, say Iraq, then buy the book and think they're reading something of great importance and that it shows how wonderful the BBC is.


The wars against Saddam....   November 26, 2004
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

A riveting read. Since I have read most of of John Simpson`s books I was not sure what new material will be in this book. I need not not have worried.There are chapters upon chapters on facts which are not known outside the war theatre.
The most touching part is the insight into his own feelings,anger and pain while covering this war. This is something John does well.I fell in love with John the journalist and John the person after reading his first book Strange places ;questionable people. He wrote so vividly about his childhood,his growing pains with utter honesty.He has done that again,his mistakes ,anger and hurt are touchingly explained.he is eloquent ,honest and an mazing writer and broadcastor. More power to your pen is all i can say!


thorough and interesting   November 15, 2004
 5 out of 9 found this review helpful

mr simpson reveals himself to be a pompous oaf here. he believes himself to be on a par with the world leaders of whom he writes. he has only contempt for those ordinary people he interviews. he reminds us constantly that he is the most important journalist in the world and probably the universe. nonetheless this is a super book. most of it is written by mr simpson's back-up team. he is the guiding force and should take the credit, much as field marshal montgomery must take the credit for al alamein. other reviewers have asked if mr simpson is a fake. no, he is not. what he is is that rarest of specimens, a clever egomaniac. love him or hate him anyone who wonders why iraq and also the bbc are in a mess should read this wonderful book.like martin bell, another reporter, mr simpson should go into politics. he has wit and wisdom and would go far. his only flaw is vanity and greed.he exposes politicians for what they are: not real. he wears it all on his sleeve. he says, take me for what I am or not. please yourself. whatever one thinks of him one has to admire this. others might disagree and say i am being too generous. that is their right.


Is this the first draft of history?   October 3, 2004
 4 out of 9 found this review helpful

The idea that John Simpson is at the "centre" of world affairs typifies what's gone wrong with so much journalism. Making the first draft of history should not be a matter of self-publicity. There are many factual mistakes in this book and also misunderstandings that arise from the author's complete lack of any Arabic. If you want to read about Saddam Hussein, read Said Aburish's very readable biography. Simpson is just Eastenders for grown-ups.