Naked in Baghdad

The Iraq War as Seen by National Public Radio's Correspondent

By: Anne Garrels

Narrated by: Anne Garrels

Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

As National Public Radio's senior foreign correspondent, Anne Garrels has covered conflicts in Chechnya, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. She is renowned for direct, down-to-earth, insightful reportage, and for her independent take on what she sees. One of only sixteen unembedded American journalists who stayed in Baghdad's now-legendary Palestine Hotel throughout the American invasion of Iraq, she was at the very center of the storm. Naked in Baghdad gives us the sights, sounds, and smells of our latest war with unparalleled vividness and immediacy. Garrels's narrative starts with several trips she made to Baghdad before the war, beginning in October 2002. At its heart is her evolving relationship with her Iraqi driver/minder, Amer, who becomes her friend and confidant, often serving as her eyes and ears among the populace and taking her where no other reporter was able to penetrate. Amer's own strong reactions and personal dilemma provide a trenchant counterpoint to daily events. The story is also punctuated by e-mail bulletins sent by Garrels's husband, Vint Lawrence, to their friends around the world, giving a private view of the rough-and-tumble, often dangerous life of a foreign correspondent, along with some much-needed comic relief.

The result is enthralling, deeply personal, utterly authentic: an on-the-ground picture of the war in Iraq that no one else could have written. As Chicago Sun-Times critic Lloyd Sachs wrote about Garrels's work in Baghdad, "A few choice words, honestly delivered, are worth more than a thousand pictures...In your mind's eye, they carry lasting truth."

©2003 Anne Garrels (P)2003 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

• 2004 Audie Award Winner, Narration by Author or Authors

Worth listening

Great reporting and narration by Anne Garelle. 20 years later, still relevant and worth reading.

From someone who was also there

I found Anne's reporting very good and extremely accurate. It reflects the views of the Iraqi's I encountered while working at the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA). I wish she had pounded CNN a little harder over thier dramatazation of events before they knew any facts but she remainded focused on her story.

I believe a little more historical background could have been given at the beginning to help understand how Sadaam could come to power and how the Iraq situation adds to the unrest in the Middle East.

The Brenda Bulletins were endearing at first but nerve racking in the end. They were presented at too slow a pace and were often repetitive of what Anne had already said. Anne was a brave correspondent in a very dangerous area. I got that without having to be told that every ten minutes.

I can say the views that Anne presents from the Iraqi's is 100% in line with what I experienced. Although I only give this three stars for the presentation. I give it five stars for a must read.

Wonderful.

Finally, a side of the story from the perspective of those in Bagdad. A wonderfull tale with insite into the complexities of the war.

One of the best ever

Few times have I been so sad about a story ending... If you like audiobooks, this one is a MUST

Very enjoyable to listen too

I don't think I've given any book 5 stars before. I listen to NPR regularly and this was a lot of new information to me. It made me really care about Anne Garrels, and now I want to follow her career until she retires.

True Journalism

Enough good words have been said about the book. But ultimately, this book is not about the war. That's why readers who expected to get detailed war stories will be disappointed.

It's about what true journalism means. Annie showed us the dignity and the courage under fire, the pursuit for the truth, the love and care for the people she reported on, and above all, the determination to give a voice to the people who couldn't speak for themselves.

Living Vicariously

Wow! Provides a fascinating look into the dangerous, exhausting, and frustrating world of a war correspondent. After this listen, I became much more interested in keeping tabs on what's going on in Iraq. Was so depressing to hear that many of Garrels' predictions and those of her guide (can't believe I can't recall his name - has been almost two mos. since I listened to this book) came to be. I still wonder why her guide took the risks he did, making it possible for her to survive and even thrive in a very hostile environment. Highly recommend this book -- even for those who have only a marginal interest in politics and war. You won't be disappointed, regardless of what you think of the war in Iraq.

Naked in Baghdad

I couldn't put this book down and when I was finished I wanted more. I felt that I was there in Baghdad with her.

Garrels is Dedication/Bravery Personified

This is good. Anne Garrels and her husband make an incredible team. She gives an exciting yet balanced account of the days leading up to the invasion along with gripping coverage of the initial stages of the invasion. I found her personality very engaging and her bravery and dedication to be extraordinary.

Lose the Husband

I liked it when Ann was speaking, but hated it when her stay-at-home husband was speaking. His "Brenda" thing was so totally annoying. I cheered when their friends told him to stop it, already. No wonder she travels a lot...needs some getaway time from someone who sounds like a snooty academic. All those terrible things said, I liked what Ann had to say and how she could adjust the focus to show us different perspectives on the approaching conflagration. Also fascinating was her portrayal of how a modern journalist, who is in between the big corporate guys and the totally freelance people, goes about covering a story like that.