Janis Karpinski

Provides the reader with a valuable perspective on BG Karpinski, far different from the watered down yet sensationalized version offered by the press. Karpinski spent 10 years in the Regular Army before transfering to the Reserves, and had a stellar military career up until she was appointed commander of the 800th MP Battalion in Iraq. She talks openly about the difficulties women face in the military, the fine line they must walk to be a successful, competent and respected military officer without sacrificing too much of their femininity. From the press reports one would not know that Karpinsky is a Jumpmaster, and that she participated successfully in Operation Desert Storm. Readers wanting a more complete picture of the problems that led to Abu Ghraib will want to read this book.… (plus d'informations)

General Janis Karpinski, commander of the U.S. military prison in Iraq, provides her personal account of the corruption and failures in the chain of command that permitted prisoner abuse to occur. She discusses her inexperience in running a prison, lack of disciplined guards, and use of private firms.

Though she spends a bit of the book on the army's preference for male soldiers in combat related arms, the book rings true. You can see how Karpinski and her people had too many responsibilities and too few people. The cover-up lasted for three months and then she contends that the blame was shifted to her. She feels she was the sacrificial lamb because of the fact that she was not regular army and an expendable woman. Yet the army did think she earned a star, so how expandable was she before this incident happened. The book is a fast read.… (plus d'informations)