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92nd out of 127 books
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9 voters
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Searching for Hassan: A Journey to the Heart of Iran
by
Terence Ward
The unique culture of Iran and the sweep of its history are revealed in this evocative travelogue of an American family searching for a lost friend in the country of their youth.
Growing up in Tehran in the 1960s, Terence Ward and his brothers were watched over by Hassan, the family’s cook, housekeeper, and cultural guide. After an absence of forty years, Ward embarked on a...more
Growing up in Tehran in the 1960s, Terence Ward and his brothers were watched over by Hassan, the family’s cook, housekeeper, and cultural guide. After an absence of forty years, Ward embarked on a...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
March 4th 2003
by Anchor
(first published 2002)
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Terence Ward is a magician: he combines family history, a family quest, political and religious history of Iran, deep look into Islam and its manifestations (with comments that really help me understand the difference between the Sunnis and the Shia), and a long look at Zoroastrianism and its role in Judaism and Christianity.
It is all woven together with acute observations of how a family that spent many years in Iran, leaving in 1969, was received when they returned; their interacti...more
It is all woven together with acute observations of how a family that spent many years in Iran, leaving in 1969, was received when they returned; their interacti...more
When I was 3 1/2 my family moved to Iran. It is the first place that I have real memories of. I still remember the smell of the bazaar, the sound of the music and the feel of the heat. I remember jumping over fires on Nowruz, riding my bike to the main road to see the Shah drive by, and playing in the ruins of Persepolis. In 1979 we were evacuated, and my world changed. The dust and the heat of Iran worked their way into my heart and I will forever love the country and the people who live t...more
Membaca buku Terrence Ward seperti mengiayakan sebuah ajakan untuk menyelami kembali masa lalu kita yang sudah terkubur di benaman memori. Tiba-tiba saja, saya seakan duduk di sebuah kursi van butut itu bersama keluarga Ward, dua orang pemandu perjalanan, dan seorang supir penantang maut. Dan bersama-sama, semuanya menyusuri jalanan negeri Iran yang berselimut padang pasir, dengan meninggalkan jejak-jejak sejarahnya di belakang kami dan sekaligus memikul beratnya sebuah harapan di hadapan kami: ...more
Goes to show how pro-west the Iranian people can be and it is surprising. The story of an American family who go back to find their servants and maid during their stay in Iran in early 1970s and late 60s is a fascinating read even today where political hostility blur the amazing relation that the people of Iran and America have held through the past few decades. Americans are extremely nice people and Iranians are quite like them: hospitable and welcoming. This book is recommended, especially to...more
On the bright side, this book had moments that were engaging, insightful, or enlightening, but only moments. For example, I loved learning about the origin of the Sunni/Shia divide. I enjoyed the glimpses into Iranian history and culture and now have a better understanding of how much I *don't* know.
However, in general, I found the story and history difficult to follow. All the places, names, and history were so unfamiliar that it was difficult to digest in this format (without maps...more
However, in general, I found the story and history difficult to follow. All the places, names, and history were so unfamiliar that it was difficult to digest in this format (without maps...more
aku baca edisi Indonesianya, terbitan Rajut Publishing (2007)
Judul Buku : The Hidden Face of Iran
Judul asli : Searching for Hassan; a journey to the heart of Iran
Penulis : Terrence Ward
Penerjemah : Berliani M.Nugrahani
Penerbit : Rajut Publishing
Cetakan I, Maret 2007
Tebal : 579 hlm
Searching for Hassan, demikian judul asli buku terbitan Rajut Publishing ini. Hassan adalah pelayan rumah tangga keluarga Ward selama mereka tinggal di Iran ...more
Judul Buku : The Hidden Face of Iran
Judul asli : Searching for Hassan; a journey to the heart of Iran
Penulis : Terrence Ward
Penerjemah : Berliani M.Nugrahani
Penerbit : Rajut Publishing
Cetakan I, Maret 2007
Tebal : 579 hlm
Searching for Hassan, demikian judul asli buku terbitan Rajut Publishing ini. Hassan adalah pelayan rumah tangga keluarga Ward selama mereka tinggal di Iran ...more
I'd call the book a "hard" read for the average reader, not because the language is difficult, but because it is such a rich piece of work that you simply can not rush through it. So rich, in fact, that you have to absorb bits at a time and let it sink in. This is a gorgeous recollection by Terence Ward and is about him and his 3 brothers and parents, as they return to Iran during a time when it was not so safe for travelling foreigners, to rediscover a part of their childhood and past...more
Terence Ward is one of the many reasons why Iranians love Americans so much. Every Iranian family has had a "Hassan" to depend on, whose mere name invokes nostalgic feelings longsince passed. It was heartwarming to follow Mr. Ward on his journey to the country he had known as a child to find the friend he remembered. If only more stories like this about Iran could be written...
This is a beautiful story of an American man who travels back to Iran looking for his family friend. Hassan was a little bit of everything to their family, and through the years became a part of their family. When they moved away from Iran after the fall of the Shah, they always wondered what came of Hassan and his family, so in 1998 he and his family went back to find him.
ÒMitra Samimi-Urich: I recommend this book because it is a good way to learn about the weave of Persian culture through an American point of view. ---- Library Description: Nonfiction; Memoir of an American living in Iran and making life-long friends with an Iranian family whom he searches to find after many yearsÓ
A marvelous non-fiction book for those westerners (like me) who understand so little about Iran and its history. A wonderful exploration of the country, its people, and its pain. I particularly loved its discussion of Hafez and the great ancient city of Persepolis.
Rachel
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
all Americans, esp those who love to travel or history lovers.
So at first I thought this book was just going to a memoir/travel book documenting a families return to Iran after living there three decades before and the search for a family friend, but it has a bit of Near Eastern/Iranian history and religion in it as well. It is a fascinating read and I love learning about the history of a region that I'm traveling to, either in person or through a good book such as this one. Fabulous book, I highly recommend it.
Of course not all of his viewpoints are OK with me. But at least he shared the most sincere comments and experience as an American.
buku yang memberikan gambaran terperinci tentang budaya dan sejarah Iran yang tidak banyak orang menyadari atau bahkan menutupinya.
Provided a very readable insight into how life was then; and has/hasn't changed.
ternyata iran negara para mullah ini menyimpan keindahan yang tak terkira
I only read the first 1/3 of this and just could not get into it!
An extraordinary and excellent book !!!
5/14/2007
Menemui Iran dengan wajah yang luar biasa! Hampir semua bayangan saya terhadap Iran nyaris jungkir balik karena cerita Terence Ward.
Peperangan dengan sejarah demi jati dan harga diri bangsa. Pertarungan budaya yang terjadi di dalam 'negara' sendiri.
Hemm... yang pasti gambaran mengenai wanita Iran yang CANTIK sulit untuk dilupakan dari dalam kepala.
Buku yang ingin kumiliki--karena saya membaca dengan cara meminjam dari kawan--tapi sepertinya tidak ada lagi di pasar...more
Peperangan dengan sejarah demi jati dan harga diri bangsa. Pertarungan budaya yang terjadi di dalam 'negara' sendiri.
Hemm... yang pasti gambaran mengenai wanita Iran yang CANTIK sulit untuk dilupakan dari dalam kepala.
Buku yang ingin kumiliki--karena saya membaca dengan cara meminjam dari kawan--tapi sepertinya tidak ada lagi di pasar...more
saya selalu menyukai novel-novel asing yang bernuansa Timur Tengah. Banyak pelajarana yang bisa kita ambil dari novel-novel tersebut. The Hidden face of Iran menggambarkan betapa rasa kasih sayang, dan rasa saling mempunyai ikatan batin yang kuat tidak hanya terjadi dalam lingkungan keluarga saja, tetapi juga dapat terjalin dengan orang yang ada di sekeliling kita, termasuk pembantu rumah tanggan kita.
I had a hard time getting through this book. Having said that, there are a few things that I liked about the book. I learned a lot about Iran that I didn't know before. I liked the insights into the history of Iran - why there are wars, why they believe what they do, etc. We got to see beautiful parts of Iran and it's people through the author's eyes - so different from the media.
Damon
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who are interested in reading about culture and history from an everyday perspective
Recommended to Damon by:
Ashley W
The author does an excellent job of showing Iran for the people not the government. Iran has an amazing history and culture. These are brought to life through stories of his growing up there in the Shah years and his visit back in the 90's. A few parts may offend those who are proud to be American, but overall it is a great look at Iran for the people.
Bab-bab awal agak lambat sih, tapi setelah itu asyik dinikmati. Seru aja gitu ama keluarga Ward yang unik. Bela-belain sekeluarga pergi ke Iran, nyari orang yang dulu pernah jadi pelayan mereka. ward brhasil mendeskripsikan Iran dengan angle yang berbeda. Di satu sisi ada kelucuan-kelucuan selama keluarga ward mencari Hasan.
Dini Tirtasari
added it
gua emang suka ma segala macem tentang timur tengah dan buku ini bikin gua tau banyak tentang iran dan persia..sejarahnya, budaya dan tradisinya bahkan gambaran orang2 timur tengah... its really made me want to go there and meet another kinda of 'hasan'.. it such a great experience just to read it..
I enjoyed this book a lot - I certainly learned a lot about Persian culture. Some of the history went a little over my head as the book was quite dense with it, but overall I enjoyed the book and the descriptions of Iran and the family life of the Wards and Ghasemis. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
Steve
marked it as to-read
This book has been highly recommended by Iranian friends as a very accurate account of Iranian life and culture in the period of Reza Shah Pahlavi (1960s-70s) through the eyes of an expatriate American growing up in the country
Patric
added it
Terry (Terrence Ward), describe Iran -people, culture, government, education, etc.- from a different angle. Ones you have red this book, surely you perception of Iran will change. Eventually will say "Iran is a nice country".
I loved this book -- I learned more about Iran (and Persia) than I have from any other book, both ancient and modern history wrapped up with current events and a travelogue. I really enjoyed it.
It says you how people think about their old home, country or city. how an american family think about evolution in iran. you can compare iran before and after evolution from point of viwe of them.
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