Twenty-One Days to Baghdad A Chronicle of the Iraq War

Twenty-One Days to Baghdad:A Chronicle of the Iraq War Reuters, the international news agency, provides a historic and invaluable account of how the war against Saddam Hussein unfolded in its latest book, Twenty-One Days to Baghdad: A Chronicle of the Iraq War. Award-winning photographers paint a unique and unbiased picture of the military campaign described by General Tommy Franks as "unlike any in history." Vivid text and precision graphics complete a compelling narrative of the conflict. A day-by-day chronicle assembles more than 100 gripping pictures--from the decks of American aircraft carriers in the Gulf to the heat of battle in the Iraqi desert and finally to the streets of Baghdad and Saddam's collapse. Reuters photographers, some embedded with U.S. and British forces, capture the definitive images from the first air strike on Saddam's bunker to the military sprint to Baghdad. The pictures capture the raw emotions of war--moments of pain, anguish, courage and compassion. The Reuters team provides an unrivaled portfolio, folding the best from the news agency's coverage of the Iraq War into an authoritative and riveting full-color book. Reuters is dedicating this book to Taras Protsyuk, its Ukrainian-born cameraman, who was killed in Baghdad and the other journalists who gave their lives or were wounded in the conflict. Front cover photo: Baghdad ablaze during air strikes, March 21, 2003. REUTERS/Goran Tomasevic. Twenty-One Days to Baghdad: A Chronicle of the Iraq War uses compelling text, precision graphics and riveting pictures to provide a narrative divided into five sections: The initial U.S. strike on a bunker aiming to kill Saddam Hussein is unleashed hours after a U.S. deadline for the Iraqi president to leave the country expired. General Tommy Franks promises a "campaign unlike any in history" characterized by "shock, surprise, by flexibility, by the deployment of precision munitions on a scale never seen before, and by overwhelming force." The invasion of Iraq is launched. U.S. and British forces take southern cities and secure oil fields. They encounter stiffer than expected resistance. There is no immediate jubilation or welcome for troops due to the Iraqi security apparatus. There are firefights, helicopter accidents, air attacks on Baghdad, a U.S. serviceman attacks fellow soldiers and POWs are paraded. A fierce sandstorm slows the military sprint. There are ambushes, friendly fire incidents and a long, vulnerable column looks exposed. Hard questions are asked about the U.S. military plan. U.S. paratroopers enter northern Iraq, the military regroups and reinforces. The push on Baghdad resumes. There is a hard-fought battle for the airport. Iraqi TV broadcasts what it says is Saddam on the streets. Iraq warns of a non-conventional attack. U.S. tanks and armor stage a fierce show of force and penetrate Baghdad. Troops enter presidential palaces and Baghdad falls. British troops secure Basra, Iraq's second biggest city. Iraq's government collapses. Statues of Saddam are toppled in central Baghdad, cheering in the streets gives way to looting and lawlessness. Get the latest news and financial intelligence from the world leader at www.reuters.com Back cover photo: A statue of Saddam Hussein falls in central Baghdad, April 9, 2003. REUTERS/Goran TomasevicJournalists of Reuters Staff is the author of 'Twenty-One Days to Baghdad A Chronicle of the Iraq War', published 2003 under ISBN 9780131431652 and ISBN 013143165X.