Includes bibliographical references and index.

A nation at the crossroads -- Land between the rivers -- The natural world -- An enduring legacy -- The new government -- Rebuilding for the future -- Arabs and Kurds -- Religious life -- Rich traditions -- Daily life.

"Home to some of humankind's first great civilizations and the birthplace of many of our most important intellectual achievements, the land that is now Iraq has a long and remarkable history. Readers will discover how Iraq was first settled and how it became the country it is today. They will also find out what life is like for the average Iraqi citizen, from what people eat to where they work and what they do for fun, and learn about the country's government, economy, and more." -- Amazon.com.