This book covers the events in Kuwait after the invasion by Iraqi forces in 1990. Iraqi forces stormed in, overwhelming the small Kuwaiti forces. Kuwaiti officials fled, and Kuwait was annexed by Iraq. The purpose of this was to gain control over Kuwait's oil, which equaled about 20% of the world's oil reserve at that time. Iraqi troops went on a raping campaign, which apparently is just a thing that people all over the world and across centuries think belong in their war arsenal. They attacked Kuwaiti citizens with axes and other weapons, beat them, shot them, and hung bodies and parts of bodies in the streets. They destroyed a lot of cars and buildings. Of course, during their withdrawal they famously set oil wells on fire, costing millions of dollars in damages, fire fighting efforts, and clean up.

This book provided an accurate description of what life was like for those living in this mess. I thought the book was engaging and factual. The issue is that it does cover some pretty graphic things, so if you are easily bothered by that type of stuff, you may want to steer clear. If you are interested in the Gulf War at all, this might be a good book for you to check out. I have said before that I enjoy Jean Sasson's works on the Middle East, and this one did not disappoint me.