This is third book I read on the Iraq war the the subsequent occupation (Corba II and Fiasco), found that "Imperial Life.." is the most successful in providing a clear insight as to way things have not gone well. Essentially, the Bush adminstration treated the occupation and subsequent reconstruction of Iraq as went another political patronage exercise without regard to expertise and without a plan let alone a good one.Everyone should read this book, because in many ways in provides a clear picture as to why we have failed thus far.