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"Iraq Against the World: Saddam, America, and the Post-Cold War Order" by Samuel Helfont is a book that challenges the Western-centric approach to international histories by placing Iraq at the center of its analysis. The author argues that Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 became a litmus test for the U.S.-led liberal international project, and maintaining international sanctions against Iraq was crucial for upholding the new rules-based international order. The book explores Iraq's efforts to exploit international sympathy for the suffering of Iraqis under UN sanctions through influence campaigns and manipulative statecraft. Overall, the book offers a thought-provoking perspective on the history of the post-Cold War era and is recommended for those interested in Iraqi, international, and diplomatic history. [Extracted from the article]