MWSA Book Review

Saving Babylon – The Heart of an Army Interrogator in Iraq

Author:  Paul Holton

Publisher:  Perihelion Press

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

There are very few books that capture the whole essence of the war going on in Iraq—with all the tribal, religious, historical and cultural divisions that plague the country.  “Saving Babylon” is a whole new and most refreshing look at that war and the people who serve there.  It will not only open your eyes and your mind but it will also open your heart.  The author found a purpose much higher than just conducting war; he tried to make a difference in the lives of those he met there.  To that end he was successful!

Author Paul Holton (Better known by many around the world as “Chief Wiggles”) writes a memoir of his tour of duty in Iraq, as an interrogator for the U.S. Army, which gives the reader a real inside look at what was and is going on there.  He writes about the captured generals that he personally spent months interrogating.  More importantly, is the way he does it.  As a former soldier, I was pleased to read how Chief Warrant Officer Holton, made it a point to uphold the principles of “The Geneva Conventions of War.”  He used his personality—not torture or cruel punishments (as we have read so much about in the media) to extract information from POWs.  He approached his job as a professional with a humanitarian heart and not just with the POWs but with the children of the country.

The book is a wonderful read for men, women and even for mature children.  It is on the MWSA “Top Ten Recommended Reading List” for 2005.

“Chief Wiggles” created a non-profit foundation to bring toys and supplies to those in need inside Iraq.  This operation almost cost him his career but in the end, he was even recognized by the President of the United States in a speech at a prayer breakfast.  The author writes a great story about his personal experiences; but his example as a humanitarian soldier will be his legacy.  I am forever grateful for men like Paul Holton who served and gave so much from their heart.  His foundation is called “Operation Give” and can be found on the web at: http://www.operationgive.org/

The Military Writer’s Society of America recognizes Paul Holton’s efforts with their “Humanitarian Award for 2005.”

November 7, 2005

Reviewer: Joe Fabel – MWSA Reviewer

A truly motivational presentation by one who experienced the rigors and the challenges of military duty in Iraq.  Holton’s message is most poignant due to his daily involvement with the Iraqi people whose homeland is undergoing drastic change.

Paul Holton’s role is that of an interrogator of high ranking Iraqi prisoners who run from those who wish to delay the work of rebuilding the shattered country to those who wish to assist positively and constructively in the reestablishment of a truly functioning and vibrant Iraqi economy and society.

The author relates an important secondary contribution of his: that of Operation Give, a person to person program to provide toys and other items specifically to the children of Iraq.  He assisted in the organizing of this needed program (from the sourcing of toys in the United States to the distribution in Iraq).

Holton’s source of strength was his active belief in God.  He sought this spiritual strengthening on a daily basis.  Our appreciation and congratulations for his unique achievements in the rebirth of this historically important country of Iraq.

Reviewer: Rob Ballister – MWSA Review Board

Refreshing human side to the war in Iraq!

Paul Holton's book SAVING BABYLON cuts through the typically negative media reporting about Operation Iraqi Freedom and puts a unique human spin on a one year deployment to Iraq. Rather than dwelling on operations and investigations, he speaks about the bond he developed not only with his fellow soldiers, but with his Iraqi contacts and the Iraqi people in general as well.

Better known as "Chief Wiggles," Holton started Operation Give, which is a program that takes toy donations from the states and distributes them to needy Iraqi children. His description of the first time he gave a toy to a poor Iraqi girl is one of the high emotional moments of the book.

Interspersed with his accounts of dealing with the Iraqi people, Holton places accounts of interrogating senior Iraqi military officers. Even in these accounts, Holton's detailed descriptions of his personal connection with the captives are both surprising and refreshing. He makes special effort to emphasize how so many of these former officers of Saddam really and truly want to work to make Iraq a better nation for its people.

A key element in Holton's ability to find the human element of the conflict is his strong faith. Never far from any of the stories relayed in the book are Holton's praying and talking with God to help him through the more difficult times of his deployment, including when he ran afoul of Army policy while following his strong moral compass.

SAVING BABYLON is a well written, easy reading book which deals with the best and worst parts of the human spirit, set against one of the most controversial conflicts of recent history. It is less about war and more about human emotion and human faith, and its message is heartwarming, especially when measured against the mostly negative media reports about the war in Iraq that we read/see/hear almost daily.