Blood & Oil: A Prince's Memoir of Iran, from the Shah to the Ayatollah

by Manoucher Farmanfarmaian, Roxane Farmanfarmaian

PEN/West Award Finalist


"        Told with energy, perception and great charm. . . . For anyone who wants     to . . . gain insight into the great cultural and political richness of Iran, past, present and future, this book is a marvelous introduction."        
--Fred Halliday, Los Angeles Times

Iran was the first country in the Middle East to develop an oil industry, and oil has been central to its tumultuous twentieth-century history. A finalist for the PEN/West Award, Blood and Oil tells the epic inside story of the battle for Iranian oil. A prominent member of one of Iran's most powerful aristocratic families--so feared by Khomeini that the entire clan was blacklisted--Prince Manucher Farmanfarmaian was raised in a harem at the heart of Iran's imperial court. With wit and provocative detail, he describes the days when he served as the Shah's oil adviser and pioneered the partnership that resulted in OPEC. Beautifully written and epic in its scope, this scintillating memoir provides a fascinating history of modern Iran.

"        Distinguished by its political acumen, historical sense, and vividness of description and anecdote. It is also notable for a wry sense of humour. . . . Amid the euphoria about the development of the oilfields of Central Asia and the Transcaucasus, [its] lesson should be kept in mind."  
                                         --Anatol Lieven, Financial Times

"A book of stunning beauty . . . One of the best accounts of the cultural and political life of modern Iran, it is exquisite and intimate, rendered with art-istry and detail."                                                                     --Fouad Ajami

Genres: Iran, History, Nonfiction, Memoir, Political Science, Biography, Politics

515 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Riri · Rating 3 out of 5]

خیلی حرفها دارم که بزنم.
خیلی چیزها تو سرمه راستش.
شاید بعدا براش ریویو بنویسم.
برای الان همین کافیه.

[Tahereh · Rating 4 out of 5]

اگر شما یک ایرانی کتاب خوان هستی، این کتاب را در اولویت خواندنت قرار بده، نفت با تارو پود کشورت پیوند خورده و شماِ ایرانی بهتر است هر چه بیشتر درباره ی آن بدانی.
خون و نفت، برای من یک دوره ی آموزشی بود از تاریخ معاصر کشورم، با قلم و درکی متفاوت از آنچه شنیده ام و خوانده ام.
کتاب کمی دورتر از صدسال قبل شروع شده و تا انقلاب ایران ادامه می یابد. عبدالحسین میرزا فرمانفرما، یک شاهزاده ی قاجاری است، او هشت زن و سی و شش فرزند داشت.
املاک او را تصور کنید، از حدود خیابان نوفل لوشاتو تا بازاربزرگ‌تهران. فرمانیه تهران به خاطر آنها به این نام، نام گذاری شده است.
شاهزاده ی قاجاری مغضوب حکومت پهلوی میشود و بسیاری از اموال او ثبت و ضبط شد. ولی فرمانفرما بزرگ میراثی برجای گذاشت که کمتر کسی در ردیف او قرارمیگیرد، فرزندانی تحصیل کرده که عهده دار پستهای مهم کشوری می شوند. آن قدر که در زمان محمد رضا، گویا نام فرمانفرماییان یک اصطلاح برای مخاطب قرار دادن مقامات دولتی است. بس که فرزندان او پستهای مختلفی را در وزارت، سفارت و سازمانهای مختلف دولتی عهده دار بوده اند.
این کتاب خاطرات شخصی منوچهر فرمانفرمائیان، مدیر اداره ی نفت، سفیر ایران در ونزوئلا و از بنیان گذاران سازمان اُپِک است. او با لحنی داستانی و صادقانه از دوران کودکیش در املاک فرمانفرما، تحصیلاتش در انگلستان در رشته ی مهندسی نفت، بازگشتش به ایران در سالهای سقوط رضا شاه و سرانجام همه ی تجربیات، دانش و تحلیل هایش پیرامون نفت می گوید، گاهی نظر شخصی خود را وارد میکند که فکر میکنم برای یک کتاب خاطرات طبیعی باشد.
جالب است بدانید که دکتر مصدق پسر عمه ی منوچهر است، و منوچهر به عنوان کسی که همه ی زندگیش با نفت سرکار داشته، دیدگاهی متفاوت به مقوله ی ملی شدن صنعت نفت دارد.
تا به حال فکر کرده‌اید که شاید ملی شدن صنعت نفت به ضرر ایران بوده باشد و انگلستان از این موضوع ملیون ها پوند سود برده؟!
رخسان فرمانفرماییان، دختر منوچهر، ویراستاری این کتاب را برعهده داشته است. حجم کتاب زیاد است، برای من حدود یک ماه طول کشید تا آن را خواندم، البته که پشت سر هم نخواندم و آرام و بخش بخش پیش رفتم.
دست آورد خواندن چنین کتاب هایی دانش و عبرت است. تاریخ را باید لابه لای ورقهای کاغد جست و جو کرد، وگرنه لابه لای صحبتهای روزمره وارد ذهنت میکنند.

[Hazeanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be my first review regarding Imperial Iran, after more than a decade of reading. What propelled me all this while was, this reflection from a blogger;
'If there's no Iranian Revolution, by now we will see mass market products dominated by Made in Iran, instead of Made in China'.

I never see this kind of opinion before. It left me with wonders. With this book, I concluded that it would be a big possibility IF, AIOC (Anglo Iranian Oil Company) practiced fair play and absolute professionalism in their conduct with Iran; way back to the period prior to 1933 Concession agreement. Even if that happened as late as after the oil nationalization in 50s under the premiership of Dr Mossadegh.
* Do you know that AIOC brought the oil nationalization case to The Hague? It was even brought to the UN Security Council? Ridiculous isn't?
* Read the UN Security Council about this proceeding. It's the most interesting. Dr Mossadegh himself headed the Iranian delegation during the debate.

I never thought a memoir with intricate details on Iranian oil and gas history would be so absorbing and engrossing. It's a superbly written book, with insiders' perspective on the eclipse of Shah Qajar; to the rise and fall of Pahlavi dynasty. I'm very much sympathize with Iran for all she had gone through. Never a British colony but treated worse. Being chosen as a place of world intrigue.
* Do you know that British & Russia chose
Persia as their battleground? It contributed to a very large degree, the fall off, the last Shah of Qajar dynasty.

It's the most important book to read, for those who want EMOTIONAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING of why Iranian Islamic Revolution happened at the first place. It threw me a new light and perspective. Lots of happenings in Iran pre revolution beginning to make sense to me.

Immediately after the introduction, the main author wrote his adventurous account of escaping from the Khomeini's regime Wanted List through a Kurdish populated Rezaiyeh, near the border of Iran-Turkey. He ventured through a snow-laden mountain by horses and a mule; with an opium smuggler as his fellow escapee. This, decidedly hooked me up to the rest of the book till the end.

Manucher Mirza Farmanfarmaian was a director of concession, oil and mining in Finance Ministry at one time. Rests assured that he had a deep knowledge of what he wrote, when he lamented AIOC bullying attitude towards Iran. It's very fortunate that he chose to share his knowledge.
- AIOC was the largest private employer in Iran.Very wide discrepancies existed between British expats and locals Iranian worker of the oilfields which, in breach of agreement with Iranian government. The blue collars had no electricity, running water in staff quarters. Wages 50 cents a day, no medical or disability benefits, no sick or annual leaves. There's even 4000 applications for Palestinian untrained workers to be approved at one time. Was Iran had zero unemployment that AIOC needed to import foreign untrained workers? Look like they didn't want Iranian to benefit AT ALL from petroleum found beneath the Persian motherland. Unsatisfactory life-working condition led to strike and riot; susceptible to the influence of communist (Tudeh Party). Guess who got the blame and who got the most profit?
- AIOC accused Iranian government of being ill-informed when they, themselves closed the accounting book from being scrutinized by government officials. Citing one reason after another.
- They offered low royalty. 4 shilling per barrel, not reflecting the inflation and market price. That's the lowest rates among oil producing countries. In comparison, American oil company (those so called robber barons) paid 50 percent profit to Venezuela.
- They paid Iran only AFTER they had paid British tax. Fair or not? They operated in your country. After payment of tax to THEIR government, you could expect your payment of royalties. Tell me what you think. Is that the right business practice?
- Iran shares of royalties were shelved together with British war pools at one time. That pool money was meant for British overseas company that exceeded certain profit amount for war purpose. It should exclude Iran's. British administration had even gave AIOC's chairman; discretion to pay the accrued amount to Iran. He didn't. He took a flight to Tehran, delivered ultimatum for an extended 60 years concession and return back to England next day.

Even though Dr Mossadegh was the first cousin to the author, he got sacked because he opposed oil nationalization. His reason was, by nationalization, Iran lost any future probable claim to any profit made by subsidiaries of AIOC. He believed Iran had a right to it as those companies were set-up using profit from Iranian soils. Fearing arrest, he exiled himself in US and support himself giving series of nationwide lectures about middle east. After few years, he returned and appointed as the sales director of National Iranian Oil Company. Later, he was posted to Venezuela as ambassador.
*AIOC used it's profits to form subsidiaries operating in other middle eastern countries.

Of course this book was not all about oil. I stressed more to oil because it's largely intertwined with the destiny of modern Iran. It set back the development of this country for almost 5 decades; before the settlement on oil nationalization. That's easily covered 3 generations. By the time Iran prospered by oil wealth, it wasn't fully appreciated by her people because of those scars and damage done by international oil politics.

This book was beautifully written with prose and poems by Hafez (the great Persian poet), adorned the beginning of each chapter. Reading this was like having an epic journey to the lost world of Imperial Iran. Vivid reminiscence and emotional depictions of scenes. There are a lot of anecdotes along the way, if that's what you are looking for. There's plenty of old pictures of Farmanfarmaian households stacked in the middle of the book. It's priceless. A nostalgia of bygone era.

I think, being born a Farmanfarmaian enabled the author to see things from multiple point of views. Royals, aristocrats, political, tribes, landowners, pheasant, agricultural, technocrat, administrator among others. The advantage of birth-rank and being well-connected.

Blood and Oil is a book that I wanted to have the physical copy. It's an absolute keepsake. Luckily, I picked up this marvelous piece of writing. It definitely deserved to become a finalist of Pen/West Award. All these times, I always feel something lacking in my reading of Iran. With this, I found the right key. I definitely recommend this for those cared enough to understand why Iran behaved liked that. It's even relevant today.




Some notes.
* Farman Farma was a royal title bestowed by Shah. It meant Commander of the Chief Commanders. In my opinion, equivalent to the rank of Marshall of France in Napoleonic French Empire.
* Under the reign of Shah Reza, each family need to choose a surname. His father chose Farmanfarmaian to reflect his royal title.
* Reza Shah, the first Emperor of Pahlavi dynasty was a soldier in command of his father's regiment at one time.
* The main author Manucher Mirza Farmanfarmaian was a member of the most distinguished family in Iran. He was a second cousin to Ahmad Shah Qajar, who reign the peacock throne at the time of his birth.
* He left the household at the age of 9, to enroll a boarding school in England.
* Nosrat Doleh, his eldest brother, a former finance minister had been executed by Shah Reza. His father, a former PM, Prince Abdol Hossein had passed away, leaving him in immediate financial limbo to finish his studies; if not for the generosity of an English mechanic family.
* Muzaffar, his brother was a DPM under the premiership of Qavam Saltaneh.
* Armed with a degree in Petroleum Engineering from University of Birmingham, he made his way back to his motherland.
*He was a main signatory of OPEC blueprint.
*Differed from other countries, ambassadors of Iran was Shah's appointment, to personally represented the Emperor. It's equal in rank of cabinet minister.
* He returned from his ambassadorial posting in Venezuela just 1 or 2 years before revolution.
* Unlike others on Khomeini's wanted list which was specified by exact names, his family was listed broadly as Farmanfarmaian, means any of them young and old. He was having a conversation when the authority came to arrest his brother, Rashid. He barely escaped. That's when he decided to leave Iran forever.

[Nima · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about the Pahlavi era that I've ever read ....

[Kowsar Bagheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

قطعاً دوباره رجوع خواهم کرد. نکات ریز و درشت و مهم بسیاری دارد که در فهم تاریخ ایران معاصر راهگشاست.

[Elizabeth Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say...I love memoirs, especially those by people who have lived and shaped history. The author was one of the original OPEC signers, and he describes Middle Eastern politics from an insider's view.

[Ks]

کتاب خوبی بود و یک افق جدیدی را پیش رویم باز کرد، و وقایع کشور در قرن بیستم اون هم از زبان کسی که از نزدیک شاهد آن بوده جذابیت خاصی به این اثر داده بود، اتفاقاتی مانند تشکیل اپک ، مسائل مربوط به نفت، شرایط جامعه، فرار ایشان و ....
خیلی باعث تاسف بود که یک شاهزاده، آن هم شخصی که در مسایل سیاسی نقش پررنگی نداشته جونش به خطر می افته و با مشکلات زیادی مجبور به فرار می شه
و یک نکته که توجه منو جلب کرد این بود که خیلی از اشراف و بزرگان آن زمان از سنین کودکی و نوجوانی برای تحصیل رهسپار غرب شدنند و با محیط آنجا الفت پیدا کرده بودنند که این خود باعث شکاف بین اشراف و جامعه سنتی آن دوره بود و باعث شده بود که مردم خود را درک نکنند و نکته قابل توجه دیگر اینکه خیلی از بزرگان آن زمان همسری غیر ایرانی داشتند که این خود برای امنیت کشور قابل قبول نیست

[Momoriza · Rating 4 out of 5]

علیرغم سانسورهایی که داشت، روایت داستانی و تا حدودی ژورنالیستی کتاب از تاریخ معاصر، خواندنی و شیرین بود

[Sara Abbasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

من نسخه‌ی ترجمه شده‌ی فارسی رو خوندم و کتاب نسبت به نسخه‌ی انگلیسی سانسور‌هایی داشت، ولی فارغ از اینها زندگی‌نامه یک فردی بود که روی نفت و سرنوشت نفت توی ایران و دنیا تاثیر گذاشته. کتاب از بالا و پایین‌های زندگی شخصی و اجتماعی صحبت کرده. برای من شفاف بودن عقاید نویسنده نسبت به تصمیم‌هایی که گرفته خیلی ارزشمند و خواندنی بود.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent memoirs of a prince of the Qajar family. Manucher (through the writing and research of his daughter Roxane) tells of Iran pre WWII, the history of oil and its influence, and ultimately his escape during the revolution. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to better understand this country's history and politics.

[Ramin Kasaiian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to the Iranian people and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of contemporary Iranian history.

Titled "Blood and Oil," the book may sound technical, but it encompasses much more than just the intricacies of oil and its associated conflicts. It offers profound insights into a country that has struggled to grow in comparison to the West.

The author provides an aristocratic perspective, guiding readers step by step through the challenges and pains endured by the Iranian people. It explores the significant events surrounding oil nationalization and highlights the difficulties in breaking free from the influence of great powers, which often resisted these changes. This context brings relevance to the current situation in Iran, regardless of the government’s ideology.

Additionally, the book addresses the profound loss of valuable national assets and skilled individuals during the revolution, illustrating how challenging it is to regain such expertise afterward.

I believe this book presents a unique perspective on the complexities of Iran and offers insights on how to mitigate or minimize future losses as the nation seeks to reestablish itself as a global player.

Furthermore, it highlights how abrupt societal changes, despite their potential benefits, can have severe side effects in the long term.

[M Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an insider's view of the Pahlevi era in Iran with significant digressions into the formation of OPEC and the early history of BP. Though as an American I spotted a few slight inaccuracies regarding American history, there's no reason to doubt the book's overall veracity.

Recommended for:
* nuanced view of the collapse of the Iranian monarchy
* insights into Iranian character
* more anecdotes to support my deep personal bias against the English
* more confirmation of hopeless American naivete when dealing with different cultures
* details on the savagery of the Iranian Revolution

The author is essentially honest, competent and patriotic but evidently proud enough to cause problems from time to time.

[Robert Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir by Manucher Farmanfarmaian describes a life at the center of Iranian political and economic life for the entire reign of Mohammad Reza Shah. He was a witness to Mossadeq's unsuccessful nationalization of Anglo-Iranian Oil and the coup that brought Mossadeq down. (Mossadeq was a cousin of Farmanfarmaian--it seems like every important political figure in Iran had connections to his family.) He saw the rise of the Shah's political dominance, the establishment of OPEC, and event that started a life-long interest in Venezuela, to which he was appointed ambassador in the 70s. The book ends with the Iranian Revolution and the rise of Khomeini. His family all survived the Revolution, but members of his large extended family spent years in Iranian prisons.

[Kieren McConville · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting insider's perspective on Iran's 20th-century history. Details the loyalties and distrust that were characteristic of its elite political class. Also gives a solid understanding of British and American undermining of Iran's sovereignty throughout recent history, especially in negotiating fairer oil concessions. A superbly written and engrossing account of the late Qajar and Pahlavi periods.

[Amir Azad · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب روان و پرنکته و خوشخوانی است. روایت زندگی منوچهر فرمانفرماییان از چهره‌های مهم نفت در دوره پهلوی دوم. یک بار شنیدن نکاتی که درباره مساله نفت در این کتاب مطرح شده به نظرم برای هر علاقه‌مند تاریخ معاصر ایران واجب است. به گمانم نقدی که او به بحث ملی شدن نفت مطرح می‌کند مهمترین نقدی است که به مصدق مطرح است. هرگز پیش از این کتاب جایی در این باره مطلبی نخوانده و نشنیده بودم. بحث شرکت‌های تابعه.

[Mehdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

در مجوع کتاب خوبی است و برای شناخت تحولات مربوط صنعت نفت در دوران منتهی به ملی شدن نفت و پس از آن مناسب است، اما در موارد بسیاری مسائل و تحولات را از دیدگاه خانواده فرمانفرما و جهت موجه سازی فعالیت های این خاندان بیان کرده اند.

[Monzenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low four stars. When it discussed oil, the OPEC and most of the economic stuff, it was when it got me hooked the most. Otherwise it was an okay read. I can see the impact of the author though so respect for that

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute chef-d'œuvre

[Mehrnoosh Chamani · Rating 5 out of 5]

عالی و با صداقت و جذاااب

[Hany Ens · Rating 4 out of 5]

منبع بسیار مناسبی برای تاریخ معاصر 👌

[Mike Moskos · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, this is a really long and detailed book, a memoir from a member of one of Iran's most elite families who was heavily involved both with politics and oil. If you want to understand the more about the politics of oil (and governments' meddling with it), this is the book to read. He helped to start OPEC.

This is the story of how the British government-majority owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) f......d Iran at every opportunity. It is also the story of how that oil money changed Iran, American/British involvement, and how those changes led to the Shah's resignation and the Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini.

It's a great story--told from the perspective of an aristocrat who while he plays with most elite leaders, repeatedly goes in and out of favor with the government. It is a detailed memoir, very long and may be too much for the reader just try to understand Iran's relationship with Britain/U.S.

[Keyvan Rezaei · Rating 5 out of 5]

بهتر است نظرم را با دو جمله ثبت شده در كتاب و منتصب به آقاى منوچهر فرمانفرما شروع كنم

👤هر كشورى همان حكومتى را به دست مى آورد كه شايسته آن است

👤ترافيك تهران بازتابى از ديوان سالارى در ايران است

يك بررسى اجمالى بسيار مفيد از تاريخ ايران (بالأخص تاريخ نفت) از زمان بعد از مشروطه تا چند سال پس از انقلاب ٥٧ ايران، منتها از زاويه ديد شخصى كه خود هم در داخل بدنه نظام حاكمه بوده و هم فرد تاثير گذار بر آن به سبب اشرافيت و جايگاه خانوادگى.

و چون به سبك خاطره نگارى نوشته شده براى خواننده گيراتر و بهتر است، ولى قابل استناد ١٠٠٪؜ نيست!

آشنايى با خاندان بزرگ و بسيار تاثير گذار فرمانفرما و نقش شان در جريان تاريخ معاصر ايران از نكات قوت اين كتاب است

مطالعه اين كتاب را براى همه دوستان، دوستدار تاريخ ايران توصيه ميكنم

[mahdi maz]

تخفیف کتاب .......... 30 درصد
تعداد محدودی کتاب از ناشران مطرح نظیر نشر کاروان، افق ، نی ، مرکز ، هرمس ، آگه ، نگاه ، ثالث ، چشمه ، امرود ... در زمینه های فلسفه ، تاریخ ، سیاست ، ادبیات و ... با تخفیف 30 %به فروش می رسد.متقاضیان می توانند از تاریخ یکم آبانماه تا یکم آذر به آدرس خ کارگر شمالی ، بین نصرت و فرصت ، پلاک 1437 ط2 مراجعه کنند.

[Zack Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer on the Petro-politics of Iran and the revolution from the prospective of an inside player who has shaped much of the oil economy today.
Also a very interesting view of an Islamic polygamous household.

[Ali akh · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتابی که قسمتی از تاریخ ایران رو راوی نقل میکند

[خرس · Rating 3 out of 5]

مشخصات و تصویر روی جلد
http://www.adinebook.com/gp/product/9...

[Ab Farman-farmaian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must be read by anyone interested in the history of oil and oil politics. A brilliant account of the history of this commodity and it's implications on Iran's history..

[Mariya]

NO