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All the Shah's Men
With a thrilling narrative that sheds much light on recent events, this national bestseller brings to life the 1953 CIA coup in Iran that ousted the country’s elected prime minister, ushered in a quarter-century of brutal rule under the Shah, and stimulated the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism in the Middle East. Selected as one of the best books of the...more
Paperback, 296 pages
Published
January 1st 2008
by Wiley
(first published 2003)
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May 14, 2013
Erik Graff
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Americans
Recommended to Erik by:
Einar Graff
Shelves:
history
Although over ninety, Dad is unusually active. He is a docent at the Dundee Historical Society and, thanks to the influence of his Danish wife, Lene, takes courses as a non-degree-seeking student at the Roosevelt University campus out in dreary Schaumburg, Illinois. He tends towards history and political science, having said at one time that he enjoys ganging up with the liberal teachers against his mostly right-wing, fellow suburban students. (Dad always was a pinkish Democrat.) This book was r...more
I just re-read this book in preparation for a book club. This book is the tragic story of a CIA operation that removed one of the only democratically elected leaders in the Middle-East. Mossadegh came into power and angered the British by nationalizing Iranian Oil and the British were determined to oust him from office. After Truman (who opposed a coup) left office and Eisenhower came to office, the Americans also signed on and actually conducted the coup. This story is so tragic (especially if...more
16 likes · like · see review
Exhaustive account of the 1953 coup that deposed nationalist Iranian Mohammad Mosaddeq, who was anti-British but mildly pro-American, in order to install the oppressive regime more directly controlled by Shah Reza Mohammed Pahlavi, whom this book portrays as about the most gutless dictator ever born. A direct path is drawn between the pro-American attitude of the Iranian people, and Mosaddeq in particular, before the British were expelled for what Mosaddeq called "meddling" in Iranian politics b...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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In 1953, the CIA, aided by the British, engineered a coup to overthrow the secular, democratically elected government of Mohammed Mossadegh in Iran, as Mossadegh had committed the "crime" of nationalizing the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now British Petroleum). Before then, Americans had been regarded favorably in Iran and much of the Middle East, and veteran journalist Kinzer makes a strong case that this coup led directly to the hatred and distrust of the U.S. in this part of the world, various...more
Anyone interested in U.S.-Iran relations or the 1953 Coup d'etat in Iran will find "All the Shah's Men" to be an interesting read. Kinzer's language is quite simple, and I can see how this might frustrate more intellectual readers. However, for a student or young person interested in learning more about the history of the coup, Kinzer's simple language is an asset; his book is probably the easiest way to quickly learn about the coup.
The reader should bear in mind that even sixty years after t...more
The reader should bear in mind that even sixty years after t...more
I had always wanted to read this book and so when I saw it on my sisters shelf earlier this month, I borrowed it and am so glad that I did. A very engrossing read, very well written and researched. As an American Iranian, this book was particularly interesting since if you have spent any time in Iran, you will have no doubt have heard the name of Mohammad Mossadegh, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran who boldly nationalized Oil in Iran and in doing so, kicked out the British Imper...more
مقدمه نگارنده
روزی به ضیافت معرفی کتاب یک خانم مسن ایرانی که خاطراتش را منتشر کرده بود، دعوت شدم. وی یک ساعت دربارهی زندگی پرماجرایش صحبت کرد و اگرچه هیچ سخنی دربارهی سیاست به میان نیاورد، به طور گذرا اشاره کرد که با محمّد مصدق، نخستوزیر سالهای ۱۳۳۰ ـ ۱۳۳۲ که سازمان اطلاعاتی مرکزی آمریکا (سیا) سرنگونش کرد، فامیل است.
پس از پایان سخنان وی، نتوانستم در برابر وسوسهی یک پرسش مقاومت کنم. گفتم: «نام مصدق را بردید. چه چیزی را دربارهی او یا کودتایی که علیه وی صورت گرفت به یاد میآورید یا میتوانید...more
روزی به ضیافت معرفی کتاب یک خانم مسن ایرانی که خاطراتش را منتشر کرده بود، دعوت شدم. وی یک ساعت دربارهی زندگی پرماجرایش صحبت کرد و اگرچه هیچ سخنی دربارهی سیاست به میان نیاورد، به طور گذرا اشاره کرد که با محمّد مصدق، نخستوزیر سالهای ۱۳۳۰ ـ ۱۳۳۲ که سازمان اطلاعاتی مرکزی آمریکا (سیا) سرنگونش کرد، فامیل است.
پس از پایان سخنان وی، نتوانستم در برابر وسوسهی یک پرسش مقاومت کنم. گفتم: «نام مصدق را بردید. چه چیزی را دربارهی او یا کودتایی که علیه وی صورت گرفت به یاد میآورید یا میتوانید...more
1 like · like · see review
My S.F. Chronicle review from 2003:
Nearly two years after the shock of Sept. 11, 2001, it's fair to start poking through the legacy of U.S. foreign policy and raise troubling questions about the extent to which our own past misdeeds ultimately boomeranged on us. Few readers of "All the Shah's Men," by longtime New York Times foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer, can come away without grave suspicions that Sept.
11 was in many ways a self-inflicted wound.
What American crime could explain so sens...more
Nearly two years after the shock of Sept. 11, 2001, it's fair to start poking through the legacy of U.S. foreign policy and raise troubling questions about the extent to which our own past misdeeds ultimately boomeranged on us. Few readers of "All the Shah's Men," by longtime New York Times foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer, can come away without grave suspicions that Sept.
11 was in many ways a self-inflicted wound.
What American crime could explain so sens...more
Growing up in Iran, I always heard whispers about Mossadegh and how the CIA orchestrated a coup against him. I didn't understand how or why. I often dismissed the rumors thinking it was another manifestation of Iranian xenophobia and love of conspiracies. Until I read Kinzer's book, All the Shah's Men. He masterfully details the tumultuous events of the post-war Persia and the role it played in the petro-politics of the world. And how the CIA, indeed overthrew Mossadegh. The fascinating detail,...more
I think it's a shame that most Americans remain ignorant of the role our government played in overthrowing Iran's moderate, liberal and secular government in the 1950s, led by Mohammed Mossadegh. This book does its part to fill that gap. However, contrary to many others who reviewed this book on Goodreads, I didn't come away with a conclusion in my mind that the United States perpetrated a manifest injustice on the people of Iran. This was not an indictment of US foreign policy, as some others h...more
1 like · like · see review
A prime introduction to the works of Stephen Kinzer. This book is a wonderful example of learning the good and the bad of one's country's history. I don't see how one can have a frank discussion about the merits or lack thereof of the CIA without discussing their role in the 1950 coup of Mossadegh -- one of the brightest leaders in Iranian history (according to Kinzer), changing the political landscape for generations and putting into place the perfect environment into which the Ayatollah would...more
When it comes to history, it is always reassuring to be surrounded by references. I feel as though every time someone meanders up to me and wants to tell me about some conspiracy I want immediate written proof. Well I listened to this book via the car tape deck so I am not aware how much of this is legitimate. Apparently Bill Clinton apologized for us destroying Iran's one chance at democracy, so the details can't be that far off.
This story opens with a secret spy teaser and then follows with a...more
This story opens with a secret spy teaser and then follows with a...more
Jun 15, 2012
Steve Bedford
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everybody
Utterly fascinating and depressing at the same time. Though not the most gripping book I've ever read (a fair bit of history and names to slog through), it was insightful and thought-provoking, especially in light of current affairs in the Middle East.
Like a fine wine or good beer, this book is complex yet accessible. At 230 pages, it isn't the most in depth look possible, though that is probably in its favor. The great fear I had going into this book was that it would be a one-sided propaganda...more
Like a fine wine or good beer, this book is complex yet accessible. At 230 pages, it isn't the most in depth look possible, though that is probably in its favor. The great fear I had going into this book was that it would be a one-sided propaganda...more
If you want to know the many ways Iran is different from other countries in the region, read this book. There is material on the country's history as well as insights and information about the ways in which the US seriously interfered with (and ultimately overturned) the only democratically elected government in the country (governed by the European-educated lawyer, Mohammad Mossadegh, a fascinating and tragic figure worthy of an entire book). The villains of the piece are the Dulles brothers, a...more
A very detailed and informative account on Operation Ajax, which concerned the CIA deposing of Iran's democratic Prime Minister and his government in 1953 under the illusion that they were fighting communism.
In fact, the British only manipulated President Eisenhower into believing that. Where the real purpose behind the whole operation was so Britain could keep exploiting the Iranians' oil for its own benefit. Think about it, during the 1950's the UK was exactly what we are right now: an Imperi...more
In fact, the British only manipulated President Eisenhower into believing that. Where the real purpose behind the whole operation was so Britain could keep exploiting the Iranians' oil for its own benefit. Think about it, during the 1950's the UK was exactly what we are right now: an Imperi...more
This book is historical nonfiction at its finest. All the Shah’s Men chronicles the American-organized coup of Iran in 1953 and events that led up to it. It goes over the history of both Britain and the United States in Iran and profiles one of Iran’s – indeed, one of the world’s – most fascinating and admirable leaders, Mohammad Mossadegh.
I knew that I would like the book because the topic itself is timely and interesting. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was also so well written. Kinzer...more
I knew that I would like the book because the topic itself is timely and interesting. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was also so well written. Kinzer...more
This is an amazing historical narrative detailing how the United States, using the fledgling CIA, overthrew a democratically elected government in Iran and concentrated power in the hands of a dictator.
One can almost see the idealism of Kermit Roosevelt as he happily deposes Mossadegh and proclaims "all for the best, in the best of all possible worlds" to a nervous coworker of his. Unfortunately, the CIA was unaware of blowback in its early days (and still acts as though it's unaware of it toda...more
One can almost see the idealism of Kermit Roosevelt as he happily deposes Mossadegh and proclaims "all for the best, in the best of all possible worlds" to a nervous coworker of his. Unfortunately, the CIA was unaware of blowback in its early days (and still acts as though it's unaware of it toda...more
This book is written thru a leftist prespective and is full of resentment for the late Shah of Iran and the United States of America. The author thinks the entire terrorism thing is a result of 1953 coup against PM Mossadeq but the truth to the matter is that the hatred for the west existed hundreds of years before the events of 1953 or even 1979 for that matter. Radical Islamic terrorists hated the western way of life way before the 1953 coup. And the author fails to grab this fact. Yes, the co...more
While I found the book enjoyable, I honestly did not care for the style of writing utilized in the piece. Its penmanship failed to strike me as journalistic and the fact that it bore almost no essence of objectivity only served to reinforce this opinion. Granted, the author is entitled to his viewpoints and to write them (and indeed publish them), but coupled with telling facts he adds personalities and demonizes those that he doesn't admire in a most damning light.
The information the book pro...more
The information the book pro...more
Over a couple of drinks at my firm retreat this year, a partner who used to be the director of a large federal agency and I got to talking about spies and spy books. "Come on, you MUST have rubbed elbows with the intelligence folks," I prodded. Alas, all he'd tell me was that yes, he'd participated in CIA briefings and the like, but that stuff is still classified anyway so he wasn't going to give me any more, well, 'intel.'
"You should read All the Shah's Men, though," he said. "That's some real...more
"You should read All the Shah's Men, though," he said. "That's some real...more
1 like · like · see review
An important and timely book that gives an insight to Iran's struggle for democracy and the deep distrust of her people towards the Western Governments.
In 1953 Iran's democratically elected prime minister was ousted in a coup lead by the British secret Service and the CIA and replaced by the last Shah of Pahlavi. The effects of those events left in the Iranian Psyche the belief that the west, particulalrly USA has a stranglehold on Iran's politics and natural resources.
This is a great book in un...more
In 1953 Iran's democratically elected prime minister was ousted in a coup lead by the British secret Service and the CIA and replaced by the last Shah of Pahlavi. The effects of those events left in the Iranian Psyche the belief that the west, particulalrly USA has a stranglehold on Iran's politics and natural resources.
This is a great book in un...more
Feb 16, 2012
Ali MSK
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction,
politics
I both liked and hated this book. The author did a good job covering the coup that overthrew the Shah, and how he got reinstated with the help of western powers, extinguishing the only real chance Iran had of a democracy in all its history.
The bad part was the unprofessional and frankly, pathetic, attempt at depicting the current regime as "the root of all error", which including the title are sprinkled here and there. I mean, linking the current Iranian regime with Al Qaeda? Seriously?. It fee...more
The bad part was the unprofessional and frankly, pathetic, attempt at depicting the current regime as "the root of all error", which including the title are sprinkled here and there. I mean, linking the current Iranian regime with Al Qaeda? Seriously?. It fee...more
Apr 10, 2013
Ronando
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
government-politics,
war
(Audio CD review) I loved All The Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer. Having a) a strong interest in learning more about the U.S.' involvement in Iran and b) virtually no knowledge on the subject, I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this book.
It was a wonder to listen to and met all of my expectations in desiring to learn about the subject. I am better off knowing about Mohammad Mossadegh and Kermit Roosevelt, and the CIA in Operation Ajax. I can't wait to read more on the subject. The narrato...more
It was a wonder to listen to and met all of my expectations in desiring to learn about the subject. I am better off knowing about Mohammad Mossadegh and Kermit Roosevelt, and the CIA in Operation Ajax. I can't wait to read more on the subject. The narrato...more
There were moments reading this book when I was shaking with rage and disbelief. Between the arrogance and fatheadedness of the British neocolonialists, led in all boorishness by Churchill, and the willful naivete of the Eisenhower administration, the Iran of 20th century was trampled into the sand. That is not to excuse the corrupt leadership that wove in and out of Iran's political structure, nor the cult of personality that Mossadegh cultivated to serve his own political aims. But the 1953 co...more
I wish more people read books like this. I think it is important for every citizen of the US to understand why people from other countries feel the way they do about us, particulary in the Middle East. I think most Americans are simply unaware of what our government does under the broad and vague umbrella of what is deemed "classified" information. As we are supposed to be a government "of the people" and our government therefore, in effect, represents us and our interests, I think Americans sho...more
History for me is exciting and interesting. History books can be a shaky proposition, a lot are boring and dull. They read like a brochure for watching grass grow. But some history writers can really translate the power of history into a great story. Stephen Kinzer is one of those writers. All the Shah's Men is a fantastic book, I could not put it down. He not only thoroughly explains the Irainian Coup of 1953, and the West's involvement, but he paces the book like a political thriller (which it...more
Finally got around to reading this; it's been on my mind since I saw Argo. It's an incredibly easy and engaging read. If you don't know much/anything about the Shah of Iran, Iran's oil history, and why diplomatic relations between Iran and most Western countries today are so fraught, I highly recommend this. I went from knowing verrrry little about the country's 20th century political history to suddenly being very critical of the United States' retributional trade policy toward Iran and underst...more
This is a perfect book for someone to wishes to learn about covert US foreign policy, but is slowly approaching the subject. This book is incredibly interesting and easy to read, but still one in which every sentence is valuable. Kinzer does well at relating the Cold War policies of illegal intervention to the times, and is able to call most of them out by name. If you think our first intervention in the Middle East was Afghanistan in the 1980s, please read this book. It will open your eyes to h...more
A very approachable, well written account of a very shadowy event that has been largely forgotten about and hushed over. It details in a reader friendly way how the CIA and British Intelligence managed to arrange the overthrow of a democratically elected government and replace it with an autocratic monarchy that was more favourable to them. The consequences have of course echoed down the years ever since.
The author presents his research and tells the story in a approachable manner, rather than a...more
The author presents his research and tells the story in a approachable manner, rather than a...more
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Stephen Kinzer is an award-winning foreign correspondent who has covered more than 50 countries on five continents. His articles and books have led the Washington Post to place him "among the best in popular foreign policy storytelling." (source)
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May 14, 2013 11:56pm