![]() And The Librarian of Basar: A True Story From Iraq has, I believe, avoided showing either the Iraqis or the Americans in a one-sided, us versus them fashion. military involvement in Iraq to children (and how to then discuss this topic with children). ![]() Now I do agree with my friend Abigail that it is often difficult to know how to introduce the U.S. ![]() ![]() Not only is it amazing that this brave woman, this librarian, this book lover par excellence, managed to save the majority of books entrusted to her care, but that she and her friends were also able to accomplish this heroic deed in defiance of serious opposition (Alia Muhammad Baker had to save the books on her own, with not only no official help, but likely also at considerable potential danger to both herself and the friends who were helping her). According to Jeannette Winter's excellent and informative author's note, Alia Muhammad Baker (who was the chief librarian of Basra, Iraq, and indeed even that fact is remarkable, as it shows that while Saddam Hussein might have been in many ways a vile dictator, in his Iraq, women were obviously often employed in important and leadership potential careers) managed to save 70% of the Library of Basra's collection of books before the library burned in April 2003. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |