...about a new book to read

Yesterday I went to Barnes and Noble bookstore to buy (for my daughter Mallory, NOT me!!), "Organic Chemistry as a Second Language -- second semester. I don't understand anything beyond the writing on the cover of the book. Anyhow, I happened to walk past a table and saw an interesting title, "Imperial Life in the Emerald City." I bought it after I glanced at the jacket, and managed to read the prologue at the stoplights on the way home, and by the time I pulled into my driveway, I was hopping mad. This is a stunning and repulsive account (so far as I've read) of the mismanagement, thoughtless behavior, and total ineptness of many of the people sent to help in the reconstruction of Iraq. The author is a highly-regarded, well-qualified journalist, and this book has a "National Book Award Finalist" emblem on it. I have a feeling I'm going to read it and weep.