The Ballad of Abu Ghraib

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The Ballad of Abu Ghraib
The Ballad of Abu Ghraib.jpg
First edition
Author Philip Gourevitch and Errol Morris
Original titleStandard Operating Procedure
LanguageEnglish
Genre Nonfiction
Published2008 Penguin
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages304 pp
ISBN 0-14-311539-1

The Ballad of Abu Ghraib, also known as Standard Operating Procedure in its original hardback release, is a 2008 nonfiction book by American writer Philip Gourevitch and Errol Morris. [1] [2] The book focuses on Abu Ghraib prison and was inspired by the photographs of the prison that were released following the American occupation of Iraq. [3]

Contents

Summary

The book is an account of Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison under the American occupation. The text is based on more than 200 hours of interviews with soldiers at Abu Ghraib, Gourevitch using the interviews as a basis to discuss and analyze both the guards and the prisoners of the prison. [3]

Despite the proliferation of photographs of Abu Ghraib prison, the writers chose to use no pictures in the book. According to Gourevitch, “Photographs cannot tell stories. They can only provide evidence of stories, and evidence is mute; it demands investigation and interpretation . . . an invitation to look more closely.” [4]

Film

While writing the book with Gourevitch, Morris also directed a documentary film on the same subject and with the same name. The film was released alongside the book.

References

  1. ↑ "The Ballad of Abu Ghraib by Philip Gourevitch, Errol Morris: 9780143115397 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  2. ↑ Leahy, Cory (February 8, 2010). "Acclaimed Journalist Discusses the Abu Ghraib Prison Scandal at The University of Texas at Austin". UT News.
  3. 1 2 "Standard Operating Procedure by Errol Morris". www.panmacmillan.com. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  4. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (2008-05-25). "Framed". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
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