From the only journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting from Iraq, an account of ordinary people caught between the struggles of nations. The Washington Post's Shadid went to Iraq, neither embedded with soldiers nor briefed by politicians. Because he is fluent in Arabic, Shadid--an Arab American born and raised in Oklahoma--was able to disappear into the divided, dangerous worlds of Iraq. Day by day, as the American dream of freedom clashed with Arab notions of justice, he pieced together the human story of ordinary Iraqis weathering the terrible dislocations and tragedies of war. Through the lives of men and women, Sunnis and Shiites, American sympathizers and outraged young jihadists newly transformed into martyrs, Shadid shows us the journey of defiant, hopeful, resilient Iraq, and how Saddam's downfall paved the way not only for democracy but also for an Islamic reawakening and jihad.--From publisher description.

Advance reader's edition and uncorrected proof.

Before -- The City of peace -- Tabaghdada -- The American invasion -- What's written on your forehead -- Like a flower -- A dark, dark tunnel -- A daughter's diary -- For you, Iraq -- Aftermath -- Dry bread with tea -- The blood of Sadr -- The occupation -- A very, very, very, very, bad neighborhood -- The mud gets wetter -- If you want a gazelle, take a rabbit -- A bad Muslim -- Baghdad is your city -- Oil and punks -- Myths of resistance.