Saddam Hussein: A Life From Beginning to End

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: 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.

The old saying, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” is so true to this individual. Like many dictators/ totalitarian leaders they did some good things, but their evil nature got in their way.

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!

A good, quick read on the rise and fall of Saddam Hussein. A man who modernized and westernized Iraq through charm, intimidation, robbery and force - his rise and fall parallels that of a Mussolini or Hitler. And like them, genocide as well as progressive economic policies were part of the governing menu. A balanced look at a complex figure.

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!

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've always been curious about learning him n his history.the great things he had done for people of iran.such a great man ,but the conspiracy to execute him wasn't ryt.now PPL in 2023 really want him back.which isnt possible ... Proud to have someone who fought for his PPL.

A helpful look at the life and times of Iraq under the influence of Sadam Hussein. He became a sadistic and tyrannical to the world but many inside Iraq saw hope in a Ba'athist regime. For many it was better than the struggle that followed and still rages today in Iraq.

The anonymous author is too kind to Hussein. He was a megalomaniac like Hitler and Mussolini. The author at times tries to present a balanced perspective , but any good that Hussein did was bloodied by murder of his own people. The mass murder completely negates the good deeds of Hussein. Reading this short history is like meeting a fascist who tries to paint a rosey picture of Hitler. Bush won and defeated Hussein; he had too nobody would do it.

This book is a poorly documented biography of the character. The writer contradicts himself several times throughout the whole book. He barely talks about the real life of Saddam beyond the dictator's childhood and focuses on his political decissions. The book is very short, and seems more like a college student's work for History 101 than a real investigation on the life of Saddam Hussein. I've seen important facts mentioned in Wikipedia not even mentioned in this book.

Plenty of interesting facts and a few lesser known. Worth a read about an evil man and the futility of war.