Assyrians and Two World Wars: Assyrians from 1914 to 1945 Paperback – November 13, 2020

This is an invaluable primary source on the modern Assyrian political history and national movement during the two world wars.

Great informative book. Loved learning about the history told through someone’s experience.

The contents of the book were recorded by Shleemon d'Malik Ismael, and Yaqou Bar Malik Ismael, his brother, finished it. They were of the prominent line of the Maliks (Chieftains) of Upper Tyari, one of the Ashirets, or confederations of Assyrian tribes in the Hakkari mountains. The beginning content of the book is questionable, such as the treaty signed with the Prophet of Islam, distinguishing Assyrians as one of the races to be spared. With that being said, it was probably one of the things that the Assyrians at the time simply believed, so it is actually a very interesting cultural study, as well. Much of their ancient and more recent Christian history was remembered, evident by their use of names such as Nimrud of the Shimun family, and their obvious Assyrian derivations of semitic/biblical names (influenced by their Mesopotamian ancestors in the first place). The lifestyle is described early on and throughout, making a distinction between life in the mountains as mountaineers, and life in the plains. The real historical account starts when Jihad is already called, in the year 1915. If you read carefully, you can tell via all the mentioned rumors that the mountaineers are getting encircled as their neighbors get picked off one by one. Some of the characters even realize this, but are hesitant to act. You get a sense of both the politics between the leaders of the Ashirets, such as backstabs and assassinations. Much is also glossed over or purposely omitted (one specific instance is the exact role of Mar Benyamin Shimun in the murder of Nimrud and his household). This is why you must actively read it, and question the account through and through. Leave nothing unturned. The translation is well enough, though the English is awkward at certain points. My biggest frustration was the incorrect carrying over of the dates. Sometimes they're just outwardly wrong, such as the writing of 1915 as 2015, which is easy to fix. Other times, the days are off and the wrong months are mentioned. Using context clues, however, as it is a coherent story with a direct flow, you will be able to overcome this slight nuisance. With that being said, this is a primary account. Not secondary nor tertiary. It is enormously valuable because these characters were actually present and fought in these battles and stood in at the meetings. If you are interested in purchasing this text but in the Assyrian language, Lulu sells it for very cheap. It might do you well to own both copies and compare and contrast.