Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilization.

"Wounded Tigris: A River Journey Through the Cradle of Civilization" by Leon McCarron is a travelogue that chronicles the author's 1,200 mile journey down the Tigris River. McCarron and his companions faced numerous challenges, including armed soldiers, dust storms, and extreme weather conditions. The book highlights the fractured social state of the region, with the river now divided into tribal and national enclaves. The environmental crisis of the watershed is also explored, with dams, industrial pollution, and untreated effluent causing significant damage. Despite the disheartening scenes, the author emphasizes the hospitality of the Iraqi people and their hope for a better future. [Extracted from the article]