A biography of the deposed president of Iraq, discussing his early years, education, religious fervor and hatred of non-Islamic societies, his brutal rule of Iraq, and the uncertainty of his fate after the United States military attacks in 2003.

Describes the life of the leader of Iraq, from his childhood, through his rise to power, the Iran-Iraq War, the Persian Gulf War, to his ongoing presidency.

Examines the toppling of Saddam Hussein's regime, following a diverse group of Iraqis from a life of fear under Saddam's rule, through the events of the invasion and the regime's fall, to America's seizure of power and its repercussions.

Documents the story of twelve young American soldiers deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2006 who were assigned to guard Saddam Hussein in the months before his execution, a responsibility that raised life-changing questions about their beliefs and Hussein's character.

Drawn from intelligence gathered by Western governments and interviews with various defectors, a timely and definitive account of one of the world's most dangerous men traces his life, from his unstable origins to his conduct as a world leader, his support of Osama bin Laden, and his role in international terrorism.