This book, first published in 1982, attempts to explain how and why Iraqi military intervened in the affairs of state between 1936 and 1941. The intention is not to describe the various coups of this period, but to explain the gradual assumption of a political role by the Iraqi army and the contributing factors at play, for example the fragmented nature of Iraqi society and the presence of the British. In addition, an understanding of the political role of the Iraqi army requires a thorough investigation of the development of the Iraqi state itself.