The Ministry of Culture: A Novel

By James P. Mullaney

In his debut novel, James P. Mullaney brilliantly portrays the lives of two men, one an American and the other an Iraqi, each caught up in the turmoil of the Iran-Iraq war. Over the course of just a few days, each will seek a way to change the course of a violent conflict that has irrevocably altered their futures. Journalist Michael Young has come to Baghdad to cover the war and the seemingly relentless pattern of violence in Iraq. His return has also given him the chance to reunite with Daniella, a British-Iraqi journalist whose family history has drawn her back to a city that offers her only danger and distrust. Ibrahim Galeb al-Mansur has devoted his life to the study of art. But the government's repression and paranoia have destroyed his family andsilenced his talents. Forced to paint the enormous murals of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that appear throughout the country, he finds refuge each night among insurgents plotting the overthrow of the brutal dictator. """The Ministry of Culture" is a compelling, sometimes unsettling look at the history of Iraqi politics, the complicity of Western governments, and the universal question of how much a person can endure -- and what is art's worth -- amidst the violence of war.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312354460
• ISBN13: 9780312354466
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.7" x 1.0" x 5.6"

Customer Reviews

imedio killed the radio star

i like the cover,so i am buying the book. good luck jim. s. martinez

Excellent read.

A fantastic story woven into a very well researched historical period. At times shocking and disturbing. A must read.

Fascinating window into a unique and sometimes brutal culture

An intelligent and well written novel with fully fleshed out characters submerged in a time and culture that is both intense and brutal. We are seeing life during the Iran-Iraq war in in the 1980's. A must read for those who enjoy a story based set within the excitement and danger of revolutionary uprisings. Anyone interested in Middle Eastern culture will definitely find this book a detailed and fascinating study. The author knows their topic and much research and effort went into making this piece authentic and rich in details. The writing is poetic and stays with you long after you finish the page.