It is Dharan Palace Hotel, Saudi Arabia, 1991. The US forces are massing on the border with Iraq, preparing to overthrow Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. Men and materials are arriving daily, there are rumours of SCUD missiles, talk of the possibility of chemical attack, but in fact, nothing is really happening. With no story to report, the press is getting restive. "The Sand Cafe" is a satire of modern war reporting that mercilessly exposes the life of the foreign correspondent: endless trips in pursuit of a really big story, ...
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It is Dharan Palace Hotel, Saudi Arabia, 1991. The US forces are massing on the border with Iraq, preparing to overthrow Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. Men and materials are arriving daily, there are rumours of SCUD missiles, talk of the possibility of chemical attack, but in fact, nothing is really happening. With no story to report, the press is getting restive. "The Sand Cafe" is a satire of modern war reporting that mercilessly exposes the life of the foreign correspondent: endless trips in pursuit of a really big story, gathering frustration and brewing jealousy directed towards other reporters - especially those from better financed TV networks - and the stale smell of damp rot that comes from a combination of leaking air-conditioning and wretched carpeting in the hotel where the entire bedraggled press corps is housed. Boredom massages idle thoughts into wild excesses, even in a country that officially bans the sale of alcohol. Neil MacFarquhar, a veteran of the Middle East foreign press corps has written a woundingly witty black comedy of those who bring us news from the front lines, exposing their vanities, rivalries and petty distractions. Love, lust for fame and the magnificent gilded hypocrisy of the regime in Saudi make this novel as revealing as it is compelling.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. The book is perfectly readable and fit for use, although it shows signs of previous ownership. The spine is likely creased and the cover scuffed or slightly torn. Textbooks will typically have an amount of underlining and/or highlighting, as well as notes. If this book is over 5 years old, then please expect the pages to be yellowing or to have age spots. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Inscription on the first page, typically just a name but may include a dedication or a brief personal message.