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Baghdad Burning II: More Girl Blog from Iraq
Riverbend, the young Iraqi woman whose “articulate, even poetic prose packs an emotional punch,” continues her blog from her hometown of Baghdad ( The New York Times ).
Riverbend, the pseudonymous recipient of a Lettre Ulysses Award for the Art of Literary Reportage, continues her chronicle of daily life in occupied Baghdad. Drawn from her popular blog, this volume spans from October 2004 through March 2006.
In her distinctively wry yet urgent prose Riverbend, now 27, tells of life in a middle-class, secular, mixed Shia-Sunni family. She describes the attacks she sees on TV, raids in her neighborhood, fuel shortages, rolling blackouts, and water shortages, all while offering insightful critiques of the Iraqi draft constitution and American Media. Riverbend reveals how, for the first time in her life, she feels lesser due to her gender.
Dispelling reductive, media-driven stereotypes, she explains that most Iraqis are tolerant people, prefer secular to religious government, oppose a civil war, and desperately want the occupation to end.
Riverbend, the pseudonymous recipient of a Lettre Ulysses Award for the Art of Literary Reportage, continues her chronicle of daily life in occupied Baghdad. Drawn from her popular blog, this volume spans from October 2004 through March 2006.
In her distinctively wry yet urgent prose Riverbend, now 27, tells of life in a middle-class, secular, mixed Shia-Sunni family. She describes the attacks she sees on TV, raids in her neighborhood, fuel shortages, rolling blackouts, and water shortages, all while offering insightful critiques of the Iraqi draft constitution and American Media. Riverbend reveals how, for the first time in her life, she feels lesser due to her gender.
Dispelling reductive, media-driven stereotypes, she explains that most Iraqis are tolerant people, prefer secular to religious government, oppose a civil war, and desperately want the occupation to end.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
4 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Riverbend
12 books17 followersRiverbend is the pseudonymous author of the blog Baghdad Burning, launched August 17, 2003. Riverbend's identity is carefully hidden, but the weblog entries suggest that Riverbend is a young Iraqi woman from a mixed Shia and Sunni family, living with her parents and brother in Baghdad. Before the United States occupation of Iraq she was a computer programmer. She writes in an idiomatic English with, as James Ridgeway notes in the introduction to the Feminist Press edition of her work, "a slight American inflection." The blog combines political statements with a large dose of Iraqi cultural information, such as the celebration of Ramadhan and examples of Iraqi cuisine. In March 2006, her website received the Bloggie award for Best Middle East and Africa blog.
On 26 April 2007 Riverbend announced that she and her family would be leaving Iraq, owing to the lack of security in Baghdad and the ongoing violence there. On September 6, 2007 she reported that she has arrived safely in Syria. Her last entry was in October, 2007.
Her weblog entries were first collected and published as Baghdad Burning, ISBN 978-1-55861-489-5 (with a foreword by investigative journalist James Ridgeway)[1], and Baghdad Burning II, ISBN 978-1-55861-529-8, (also with an introduction by James Ridgeway and Jean Casella)[2]. They have since been translated and published in numerous countries and languages. In 2005, the book, Baghdad Burning, won third place for the Lettre Ulysses Award for the Art of Reportage and in 2006 it was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize.[3][4]
Baghdad Burning has also been made into several dramatic plays, mostly produced in New York City. BBC Radio 4 broadcast a five-episode dramatisation of her blog, "Baghdad Burning", on the "Woman's Hour" Serial, on each day from the 18th of December, 2006 until the 22nd of December, 2006.
On 26 April 2007 Riverbend announced that she and her family would be leaving Iraq, owing to the lack of security in Baghdad and the ongoing violence there. On September 6, 2007 she reported that she has arrived safely in Syria. Her last entry was in October, 2007.
Her weblog entries were first collected and published as Baghdad Burning, ISBN 978-1-55861-489-5 (with a foreword by investigative journalist James Ridgeway)[1], and Baghdad Burning II, ISBN 978-1-55861-529-8, (also with an introduction by James Ridgeway and Jean Casella)[2]. They have since been translated and published in numerous countries and languages. In 2005, the book, Baghdad Burning, won third place for the Lettre Ulysses Award for the Art of Reportage and in 2006 it was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize.[3][4]
Baghdad Burning has also been made into several dramatic plays, mostly produced in New York City. BBC Radio 4 broadcast a five-episode dramatisation of her blog, "Baghdad Burning", on the "Woman's Hour" Serial, on each day from the 18th of December, 2006 until the 22nd of December, 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 7, 2007
This book should be required reading for American citizens, particularly those of us in our twenties. Riverbend, the anonymous author of this blog-turned-book, is a young professional woman whose life has been turned upside down by the Iraq war. I was alternately struck by how unbelievably difficult her life has become and how much she writes and sounds like she could be one of my friends. Her descriptions of life in Baghdad after the invasion made the suffering there seem real to me in a way that no statistic can, and forced me to imagine how I would respond if I were in such a situation. I don't know how sound her political analysis is, but this is an invaluable look into the perceptions of an educated young Iraqi.
October 12, 2007
This book is a continuation of a blog from a young Iraqi woman. She vents her frustrations, describes the sentiments of the people around her, and simply chronicles her family's experience in Iraq from 2004-2006. It is a good reality check to read this book, when the "objective" Western news reports all begin to blend together. She is extremely opinionated, honest and unabashedly herself. I love her for it. Plus, I like the emphasis on the evolution of the situation for women in Iraq over the past few years.
September 30, 2020
I had read bits and pieces of Riverbend's blog years ago when she was still posting. I finally made it a priority this year to read all of it in book form. The problem is I'm very disappointed that her complete blog hasn't been published in a volume. Riverbend blogged steadily until late 2007. Baghdad Burning II goes up to the end of March 2006. In 2013 after almost seven years of silence Riverbend posted one last time in 2013.
I have kept several blogs erratically over the years. Baghdad Burning was one of several blogs that inspired me to have my own.
The complete Baghdad Burning can still be read online.
I have kept several blogs erratically over the years. Baghdad Burning was one of several blogs that inspired me to have my own.
The complete Baghdad Burning can still be read online.
August 7, 2013
It is incumbent on all citizens of a country that commits acts of aggression against another to do their utmost to understand the impacts of those acts. Riverbend gives us a ground level perspective on what it is to live under occupation and amidst a guerrilla and civil war, that we, the people of the U.S., are ultimately responsible for. Even if this were poorly written it would be of significant value to read for those reasons. However this autobiographical blog collection makes for a provocative and engaging read; writing that rivals skillfully crafted fiction that can be appreciated independently of the book's subject matter and historical context.
May 1, 2011
What a great book. Riverbend gives a very personal and informed perspective on the fast deteriorating situation in Iraq from 2004-2006. It is frustrating to read of the struggles for multitudes of Iraqi people trying to survive and live while billions of dollars are spent on occupation and violence becomes a way of life. Eye-opening. Riverbend is honest and expresses her fears, hopes, and frustrations. Thought she is outspoken in her hatred of Bush, this book is not a rant or a Jeremiad. It is a personal look into the heart and mind of a girl living in an occupied war-torn country.
January 19, 2017
This was so good. Well written and moving slices of life in Iraq under US occupation. The descriptions of life and how the country is crumbling just get more and more heartbreaking as time goes on.
It feels important to be reading this so long after the initial invasion, when the country is still in so much turmoil but has generally fallen out of the public eye. A difficult, personalized reminder of what it's like to actually live through the chaos that the US brought down on Iraq.
It feels important to be reading this so long after the initial invasion, when the country is still in so much turmoil but has generally fallen out of the public eye. A difficult, personalized reminder of what it's like to actually live through the chaos that the US brought down on Iraq.
Read
November 15, 2010I enjoyed this book as much if not more than part 1. I would read anything this person wrote, her style and person are so engaging. It was sad, though, to read about the destruction of Iraq's socioeconomic infrastructure and the impact on everyday life. These books, better than any other I've read, brought home to me the "rest of the story" and the impact of our country's actions in Iraq.
2025-tbr
December 19, 2016The first book was great and I read her blog whenever I can (and whenever she posts which has not been often these days). She and her family are trying to leave Iraq - and that was the addendum to her last post on 26 April.
April 9, 2010
I still enjoyed this book, but after finishing the first one, this was definitely getting repetitive. A lot of the same stuff as the first book. Yup, really repetitive. As in, she describes similar situations over and over again. I guess they just happen over and over again. Repetitively.
June 24, 2007
I found out I knew nothing about Iraq's past, present, or future. This raw, uncensored blog (compiled in book form) will open your eyes. if wide open is too much for you... leave it on the shelf.
January 10, 2015
Great diary of a young woman living in Iraw. great look in what is going on, from the eyes of a brave woman living through hell.
November 12, 2007
If you want an idea of the impact the Iraq war has had on Iraqi natives, there is a lot to be learned here.
January 4, 2008
Gripping, eye-opening, and tragic.
April 5, 2008
The summer reading book I assign for my course on Middle Eastern Studies. Even the boys cannot get enough.
July 17, 2014
I can't imagine going through what the author describes. I would be angry too.
August 7, 2011
Just as interesting and sad as the first one. It is incredible to think that the occupation is still going on.
September 1, 2011
Excellent Read!
January 21, 2016
a library loan
I read her first book and was thrilled to find a second.
People need to read about her experiene...the story that many are not willing to hear.
I read her first book and was thrilled to find a second.
People need to read about her experiene...the story that many are not willing to hear.
May 8, 2020
This is the second volume of Girl Blog from Iraq published by The Feminist Press at CUNY.
Based on the entries posted by the blogger known as Riverbend, it is a first-hand recount of daily life in Baghdad during 2005.
The paragraph that impacted me the most reflects on the empathy that the writer expressed regarding the experiences of 9/11 - how most Iraqis felt it all-too-familiar: destruction of buildings, loss of lives.
It is uncommon to find an outspoken Iraqi, specially one that can write in English with such fluency and cohesion.
According to the blog posts, Iraqi families deal with issues within the heart of their households. "I've learned the best way to mediate these arguments is to let them develop into what they will. Let the yellers yell, the shouters shout, ..." This is one of my favorite passages in the book.
This book offers insight on the mundane tasks and chores under the circumstances of war.
Riverbend questions the American people, their approval of the war, and their support for an occupation.
It was interesting to read and find myself identified with some of the stories. It was revealing to read other sides of key events in that period of time.
Based on the entries posted by the blogger known as Riverbend, it is a first-hand recount of daily life in Baghdad during 2005.
The paragraph that impacted me the most reflects on the empathy that the writer expressed regarding the experiences of 9/11 - how most Iraqis felt it all-too-familiar: destruction of buildings, loss of lives.
It is uncommon to find an outspoken Iraqi, specially one that can write in English with such fluency and cohesion.
According to the blog posts, Iraqi families deal with issues within the heart of their households. "I've learned the best way to mediate these arguments is to let them develop into what they will. Let the yellers yell, the shouters shout, ..." This is one of my favorite passages in the book.
This book offers insight on the mundane tasks and chores under the circumstances of war.
Riverbend questions the American people, their approval of the war, and their support for an occupation.
It was interesting to read and find myself identified with some of the stories. It was revealing to read other sides of key events in that period of time.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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