The Spiders of Allah: Travels of an Unbeliever on the Frontline of Holy War

By James Hider

Book Overview

In his fascinating, terrifying, and often very funny book, Hider takes his doubts about religion straight into the dark heart of the world's holy wars--from Israel to Iraq.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312565852
• ISBN13: 9780312565855
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.9" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

Shattering Illusions, Dealing with Uncontrolled Demons

James Hider provides an unusually candid and vividly detailed memoir while working as a war correspondent for the London Times in Iraq from 2003 to 2006. There he witnessed personally and up close this surreal lawless country which has runamok. The political drama of clashing religious factions, the tragedy of suicide bombers and the aftermath, and the confusing mess with which the American, British and Australian troops dealt with is all presented to the reader. The author is an avowed athiest and being also British, his viewpoint provides some dark humor and occasional amusement even during times when his own life was at risk. He so clearly points out, even Hollywood could not have invented some of the bizarre circumstances which arose and that he witnessed while covering crucial aspects of this war. The pain and sorrow of the families whose loved ones lives were lost due to senseless bombings and street fighting is palpable and real. Families suffered tremendously while they struggled to survive against all odds. The author gives an insider view of how ordinairy people coped. He provides insights into the views of various religious factions and Iraqi rebels who fought for control over their own neighborhoods after Saddam Hussein fell from power and was executed for the crimes he committed against his own people. Both the Shia and Sunnis fought to the death for power and control. The author provides unique insights into how war correspondents and newspaper reporters obtained their leads and found material for their stories. James Hider also writes about the Palestinian and Israeli conflicts when he was stationed in Israel and where he happened to be on September 11, 2001. He interviewed Palestinian fighters and saw how young boys belonged to a group similar to boy scouts the only major difference was they eventually trained to become suicide bombers. The author quotes a Brooklynite Jewish Israeli resident who stated on that fateful day sentiment to the effect that he was glad the USA got attacked because now they understood better what Israel faced on a regular basis. Suffice to say, this book provides a variety of viewpoints from both sides of each conflict. The author writes in a stream of consciousness style which is appropriate for the subject. His writing style is erudite, detailed and descriptive. Just a warning for the faint of heart: the author does not hold back on the blood and gore, so be prepared for this reality. This book is most highly recommended. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

Reason in the balance...

British journalist James Hider is an atheist who nevertheless finds religious belief both fascinating and repellent, like a horrible insect. While working the Palestine beat and spending time in Iraq during the US occupation he observed some of the more extreme manifestations of the Islamic faith. Mr. Hider records his adventures in "The Spiders of Allah," an intriguing and disconcerting look into the heart of religious darkness. A bit of time is spent in the Palestinian territories, but the bulk of the proceedings take place in Iraq during and after the US invasion. Here, we follow Mr. Hider as he forges alliances and reports the news while trying to stay alive. There is much death and suffering, leavened only by friendship and gallows humor. For example, the book's title refers to an insurgent claim that large spiders sent by Allah were attacking US Marines. Mr. Hider also details his positive interactions with Iraqis who allied themselves with coalition forces and journalists despite the danger of fatal retaliation from insurgents. This was the saddest aspect of the book, with hopeful Iraqi men and women betting everything on occupiers that often as not blundered away their loyalty and lives. Mr. Hider writes well, although sometimes he employs British cultural references that may fall flat on American ears. There's not much overt debunking of dogma and theology like, say, in a Sam Harris book. Instead, the author tells his harrowing story and lets the reader decide what conclusions to draw. Along those lines, one can see the power of international travel, with its ability to expand one's horizons, alter entrenched presuppositions, and overcome cultural indoctrination. By the book's end religious devotion doesn't come off smelling like roses, as exemplified by the intractable Sunni/Shiite conflict, insurgent brutality in Allah's name, and the rising count of dead and wounded American troops sent by a president who claimed God's guidance in the matter. At any rate, "The Spiders of Allah" is recommended for the author's insights into the religious components of the war on terror, along with his sometimes humorous and often tragic depictions of the human element of the occupation, both Iraqi and American. As an aside, Mr. Hider knew the late author of a similar book titled "In The Red Zone," and here he reveals the circumstances of his friend's grisly fate. I recommend reading both books, and then watching Bill Maher's "Religulous" if you really want to drink from a rationalistic fire hose.

Interesting look at war and religion

Non-fiction, this book is written by an atheist journalist who spent many months in Iraq as well as Israel. In addition to his personal experiences in the war zones (everything from being in Fallujah during the US invasion to suicide bombers blowing people to bits), he also writes about his personal views towards violence based on religious beliefs. There is also a bit of history of the peoples of Iraq and Israel thrown in , as well. I'm agnostic with strong leanings towards atheism, and was excited to get my hands on this book. It did not disappoint. Hider's cynical views towards the conflicts and religion were interesting, and at times funny in a horrific yet honest way. The history parts of the book are enough to give you a little background, but not enough to bog you down.

Facinating Account of a Journalist in the Middle East in the 21st Century

James Hider has written a terrific book about the Middle East and the the Iraq War currently being fought. It is a ironic and sometimes very funny. Being an outsider can be a very interesting way of living a life and experiencing a situation. James begins with the Jewish settlements and the settles beliefs and motivations. He travels back in history at times to provide background and muse on the present. The experiences in the Iraq War is well documented. Hider is British so he feels himself to be an outsider to the Americans fighting the war also. The culture of Iraq and the aftermath of Saddam is covered as well as the day to day life in a war zone. At the end, he provides a provacative thesis on who the Palestinians really are. I loved every minute of this book and would highly recommend it.