The Prince Of The Marshes: And Other Occupational Hazards of a Year in Iraq

In August 2003, Rory Stewart, at the age of thirty, journeyed from Jordan to Baghdad via taxi. A British diplomat fluent in Farsi, he had recently completed a monumental trek from Turkey to Bangladesh. Subsequently, he was appointed deputy governor of Amarah and Nasiriyah, provinces located in the remote and impoverished marsh regions of southern Iraq. Over the following eleven months, Stewart engaged in negotiating hostage releases, overseeing elections, and piecing together a rudimentary infrastructure for millions of inhabitants on the brink of civil strife.

The Prince of the Marshes narrates Stewart's experiences during this year. Providing an insider's perspective, Stewart guides us through the occupation beyond the confines of the Green Zone, where he introduces us to a diverse array of Iraqis. This narrative exposes the intricate and delicate nature of a society that often eludes comprehension. By merging humor with poignancy, warmth with acute insight, this account paints a distinctive portrayal of valor and the sorrow that invariably shadows interventions in the contemporary era.