Off the Page - Current Affairs Books, Comment & Debate

Bankrolling Basra by Andrew Alderson - exclusive extract & content

To celebrate the release of Andrew Alderson's Bankrolling Basra we have an exclusive extract from the first chapter for you to download.

Click here to download... and enjoy!

Andrew Alderson's amazing story is generating a lot of interest.

For an article in The Times called 'Major Moneybags' click here

To download an mp3 of an interview on BBC Radio 4's Midweek show, click here

To download an mp3 of an interview on BBC World's Outlook show, click here

To download an mp3 of an interview with Simon Mayo on BBC Radio 5 Live, click here

If you have any questions for Andrew, please comment and he will get back to you. Thanks for reading!

Major Moneybags

We have the first chapter of Bankrolling Basra lined up for you as a very special exclusive bonus feature, to be posted in the next few hours.

In the meantime, here are some interesting links on the subject...

Major Moneybags - Here is a link to an extract in the Times, telling the tale of one of Andrew Alderson's particularly extraordinary encounters.

Author site - This is Andrew Alderson's official Bankrolling Basra website, featuring quotes from the book, a slideshow of images and other content.

Iraq reconstruction blog - A blog dedicated to developments on the reconstruction of Iraq.

Bankrolling Basra - a preview

In April 2003 Andrew Alderson was a British merchant banker on a career break looking for a new challenge in his life. Then, after the invasion by US and UK troops, the Territorial Army major was called up to serve in Iraq. Days later a senior officer asked him if he ‘knew anything about finance’ and Andrew’s new career, as de facto Chancellor of the Exchequer for Basra and the whole of British-controlled Southern Iraq, began.

Within weeks he was running a multi-billion pound economy in the first tumultuous months after the Coalition’s military victory. He and his team worked tirelessly to get cash flowing again, which often resulted in hair-raising adventures, delivering  suitcases, crates and bags stuffed with millions of dollars wherever needed and by whatever means. Later Andrew received an MBE for his efforts.

Bankrolling Basra is the incredible behind-the-scenes account of how Andrew –  known as ‘that merchant banker in Basra’ in Whitehall – and his team of dedicated volunteers tried to rebuild the shattered lives of ordinary people in the confusion and chaos of post-war Iraq. 

Bankrolling Basra by Andrew Alderson

The incredible story of a part-time soldier, $1 billion and the collapse of Iraq. In the lead up to the launch of this extraordinary book, we're lucky enough to be able to offer you some exclusive content including an interview with the man himself, a man who was asked when he arrived in Basra if he 'knew anything about finance' only to be entrusted with structuring Iraq's finances.

Check back soon for the first of many special features.

Bankrolling Basra is out on April 26

To visit the official website, click here

Andrew Simms on BBC London news tonight

Following Tesco being refused planning permission to build a new store in Finchley, field expert Andrew Simms, author of Tescopoly, gives his view on the subject on BBC London News tonight on BBC1 at 6:30. This is a pivotal moment: the rights of local residents have come first and the might of Tesco has taken a significant first blow.

For the full story click here

To see a full interview with Andrew Simms, look to the sidebar on the left of this page.

To purchase his book Tescopoly click here