In his highly influential book The Threatening Storm, bestselling author Kenneth Pollack both informed and defined the national debate about...
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Feb 08, 2008
Nate
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Kenneth Pollack's "The Persian Puzzle" is probably the best and most comprehensive analysis of the Iran that has received mainstream and widespread acclaim.
Pollock, known for his prior unabashed support of an Iraqi invasion ("The threatening Storm"), has followed up that work with his most recent book. At the outset, in outlining a strategy for dealing with Iran, it is important to note that the author has shied away from his previously hawkish outlook with regar More...
Pollock, known for his prior unabashed support of an Iraqi invasion ("The threatening Storm"), has followed up that work with his most recent book. At the outset, in outlining a strategy for dealing with Iran, it is important to note that the author has shied away from his previously hawkish outlook with regar More...
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Dec 05, 2007
Pjb
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Prior to writing this book, Pollack wrote "The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq." This book should have been subtitled "The Case for Not Invading Iran." It provides excellent background on the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, getting into the gritty details of energy interests, resource nationalization, the Iran-Iraq war, and present political maneuvering. Thankfully, it goes beyond the simplistic "Shah goes away, Mossadeq elected, Mossadeq thrown out,
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Jul 07, 2009
Ryan
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A brief history of the various issues between Iran and the United States over the years. The author has a lot of knowledge of Iranian politics and history, even though he admits he's never been to Iran himself. However, the book is not really about Iranian culture, but about the diplomatic back-and-forth between the Islamic Republic and America: The 1953 Mosaddeq coup, the 1979 Revolution, the hostage crisis, the Beirut bombing, Hizbollah, the Iran-Iraq War, Iran Air Flight 655, the Karine A, Kh
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Jun 03, 2011
Catherine
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Phew. This is no light reading.
After reading All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer (about the CIA's coup of Iranian elected leader Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953), I wanted to understand more about the Iranian-American conflict from that time until the present. He provides an overview of Iran's history up through the Pahlavi dynasty including WWII and how the stage was set for Iran to be an important pawn in the Cold War. But most of his focus is on the relationship between the two countries, More...
After reading All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer (about the CIA's coup of Iranian elected leader Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953), I wanted to understand more about the Iranian-American conflict from that time until the present. He provides an overview of Iran's history up through the Pahlavi dynasty including WWII and how the stage was set for Iran to be an important pawn in the Cold War. But most of his focus is on the relationship between the two countries, More...
Aug 06, 2010
Patrick
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I thought this book was fantastic. It laid out the history of U.S.-Iranian relations over the past 60 or so years. The basic premise that the author presented was that constructive relations are difficult between the two countries because of massive paranoia mixed with an ignorance of American policy towards Iran and others in the Middle East on the Iranian side coupled with a certain level of indifference to Iran on America's side.
Pollack also wrote an outstanding conclusion that More...
Pollack also wrote an outstanding conclusion that More...
Jan 01, 2010
Scott
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If you want a single book that describes the history between Iran and the US, this is it. While it was written in 2005 and a lot has changed since then (now that we are in 2010), the history is informative and explains how Iran went from one of our Middle East Pillars against Communism to major adversary. While you might find more detailed information from other sources, if you want one volume, this would be the one to have.
Jul 07, 2008
Jon
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One of my professor's books on the history of US-Iranian relations, examining the internal and international historical-political issues that shaped the mutual antagonism between America and Iran since the early 1900s. Extensive detail is given to the schizophrenic Iranian historical attitude toward the outside world: although strongly convinced of the innate superiority of Persian culture against Arabism and Westernism, a century of imperial domination at the hands of the British and Russians--
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Jan 27, 2011
Carolyn
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Okay, honesty time. I haven't actually finished this book. It's a lot of great information, but it's a bit dull, hard to slog through at points. I'd like to finish sometime, but surely there's another book that can provide this level of information in a more entertaining manner.
Aug 06, 2011
David
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Interesting read, especially the historical background but peters out when it turns to speculation. The author might need to take a few steps back from his subject. Thanks to Zarir for the recommendation - perhaps you will be able to deal with my doubts and concerns when you visit.
Nov 10, 2010
Brian
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Well researched, a must for anyone interested in the dilemma of US-Iranian relations.
Dec 17, 2010
Expert analysis. Good detail on a oft misunderstood subject. Good read.
Nov 07, 2007
Mark
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This a fantastic book covering the historical events between Iran and the United States, up to 2004. It is an unbiased fact based book explaining the sources of the tensions between the countries. It's refreshing to hear about the overt and covert errors that the U.S. may have made in the past in dealing with Iran. It's much different than reading slanted news articles where the U.S. is always the good guy, or where publications are just out to bash a specific politition.
I think i More...
I think i More...
Jun 15, 2011
Brian
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This book gives you an understanding of the tension between Iran and the United States over the last 50 years. Both nations need to put the past in the past in order to achieve a reasonable future. However, Iran's very identity is based on being angry with the United States. If Iran were not geographically located where it is, I think the US would just ignore them for the most part.
Any student of the Middle East should add this to their reference library.
Any student of the Middle East should add this to their reference library.
Feb 10, 2008
Steph
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I read this book in a Political Science class. The premise behind this book is to familiarize readers with the history of conflict between Iran and America dating back to the mid-20th century, not just beginning with the '79 Revolution as most people might think. The idea behind this historical context is to give perspective on the current conflict between Iran and America, and to offer solutions for how to move forward.
Mar 19, 2008
Ryan
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Great background on the current relations between the two countries. Obviously, their are viewpoint differences between the author and others on forces that were at work, but a great history. Admittidly, it is a U.S. centric viewpoint, but not one that is easy on U.S. actions in Iran. I would stop before the last chapter, the author's views on the future, because it is outdated by this point.
Jun 11, 2010
A.K.
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I learned much about Iranian history and U.S. foreign policy. This book offers no easy answers but shows how difficult it can be to formulate coherent policy in a messy world. The history of U.S.-Iranian relations is a paradigmatic case of this.
Oct 17, 2007
Roland
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Good introduction to the history of US/western and Persian relations. Allows one to see how foreign policy scholars actually think. Many of his proposals for dealing with Iran are slightly outdated, and I think that he would take a slightly more hawkish approach if the book took recent events into account.
Jan 25, 2008
Joe
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This book is a pretty good analysis of the relationship between Iran and the United States, written by a very intelligent author. Probably a book that anyone who is interested in, responsible for, or concerned about American foreign policy should read.
Aug 06, 2010
Mr.
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I read this when it came out, and should probably re-read it now. Very good look at the entire history of Iran, as well as the current crisis that exists between the U.S. and Iran.
Jul 17, 2007
Colin
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The author is a bit of a hawk, but I had never been exposed to the history of Iran US relations. It was worthwhile and well written.
Jun 05, 2007
Stephanie
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Interesting depiction of our relationship with Iran and thorough background of Iran's history of conflict. Met the author-smart man.
Jun 17, 2008
Dave
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learned a lot abouth history of the middle east, the rise - and fall - of persia - and the current state of affairs in Iran
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