Saddam Hussein: A Life From Beginning to End (Middle Eastern History) Paperback – September 4, 2018

I am enjoying this series of books from Hourly History. They each collect and sum up the main points of each of these conflicts. It's material that I basically know but here very well organized.

Saddam Hussein was a man of contradictions. He could be ruthless and violent on the one hand and he could also be charming. As the president of Iraq for more than two decades he initially did much to improve the infrastructure and lives of the people and stressed the importance of literacy for both men and women. At the same time he was a dictator and used terror against his own people. He also committed war crimes in neighboring countries.The book is a very interesting read. It tells us about his humble beginnings and his rise to power.

Such a great way to get familiar quickly with a historical person or event. I love the information as it is presented from beginning to end in an efficient manner to learn a general knowledge. I will keep reading these hourly histories!

I give it 5 stars because it was precisely what I expected from it. A concise and thorough biography of the man, the inspired revolutionair and the cruel dictator that Saddam was. Like all "Hourly History" books I have read it was written in a vivid and fascinating style, so I finished it in a day!

Another interesting summary of an amazing life from Hourly History.He seemed to follow Hilter's path of performing amazing acts to greatly improve the lot of his average citizens - including impressive improvements in the lives of women - before becoming power-mad and indulging in genocide and assassinations for personal reasons.Yet more proof of the ongoing damage that 'religion' has inflicted on the world!

Saddam Hussein: A Life From Beginning to End is the first e-book that I have read about his life. I will be honest if I could not read his life history and in an hour, I probably would not have read about him. I knew some of his adult history by reading a couple of magazine articles over the years. The e-book supplied information about his early childhood history and some of the abuse he suffered from his stepfather. The e-book indicated that the correct full name for Saddam Hussein should have been Saddam Hussein Abd Majid al-al-Awja not Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti. The book provides an interesting reason for why he took a different last name. Saddam was raised by his mother’s brother, and he started elementary school around the age of 10. The e-book also explains that Saddam was not a member of the Ba’ath party until after he went into exile in Syria. The e-book essentially provides a brief overview of the life and death of Saddam Hussein. The e-book also describes his brutal rise to power and the brutality that he inflicted on Iraqi, Iranian, and Kuwaiti citizens. Now that I’ve read this e-book, I would like to read a little more about how he came to power. If all you’re looking for is a summary of Saddam Hussein life and works, you will probably enjoy this book.

Saddam Hussein (1937-2006) was born as a poor peasant far from any possibility of becoming a powerful dictator of Iraq. But by thuggery and intimidation he clawed his way to the top. This scenario seems common in tribal societies where corruption is endemic. A warning to America and Europe where societies are fragmenting along ethnic and religious (Islamic-Christian/Hindu/Nudist/...) divides.

This was an informative, interesting read, but if it were not Hourly History (able to read relatively quickly), I never would have picked up a biography of Saddamm Hussein. I learned something new, as I do in all Hourly History books. I never knew about his efforts to improve Iraq while he was vice-president. I guess there is a little bit of good in everyone, even if it is overshadowed by the monstrous grab for power. I'm glad I read it even if parts of his story revolted me.,