From 1998 until the chaotic aftermath of the invasion, news reporter Richard Downes witnessed firsthand the changes that have overwhelmed the Iraqi people. In Search of Iraq goes far deeper into the environment than the daily news. Small events of ordinary life and whispered conversations in back alleys are as telling as the grand political statements. With a keen focus on the customs, religion, culture and historical diversity of all the communities in the region, Downes reveals the true impact of war, as well as the friendships that can blossom in a country torn to shreds. What emerges is a stunning memorial to a disintegrating nation isolated through international sanctions.