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در میان ایرانیان
Iran, Hussein’s dilemma is a voyage of discovery of this fascinating and often misunderstood country. The journey starts at the heyday of the Shah’s regime in the 1970s and takes us through the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war to contemporary Iran, today under international sanctions for its controversial nuclear activity. Hard facts, geopolitics, historical details and analysis are combined with lively and poignant autobiographic anecdotes.
The book is both informative and entertaining, using serious and humorous stories that help unveil the reality of Iran and the Iranians. It comprises three parts, the first dedicated to the generalities of Iran and its society, its idiosyncrasies and the psychology of its inhabitants. The second part looks at business and politics; misunderstandings by the West, missed opportunities with the USA and the nuclear question. The final section covers questions of management and the issues related to running a project or business in Iran. An insight is given into the nature of Iranian Capitalism and also to the specifics of everyday business.
The book is both informative and entertaining, using serious and humorous stories that help unveil the reality of Iran and the Iranians. It comprises three parts, the first dedicated to the generalities of Iran and its society, its idiosyncrasies and the psychology of its inhabitants. The second part looks at business and politics; misunderstandings by the West, missed opportunities with the USA and the nuclear question. The final section covers questions of management and the issues related to running a project or business in Iran. An insight is given into the nature of Iranian Capitalism and also to the specifics of everyday business.
156 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 13, 2018
به رغم روان و خوشخوان بودن، مطلب قابل توجهی نداشت. متوسط بود.
April 9, 2022
Born in Wales and educated in Great Britain and France, Coulthard has an interesting background. As a youngster, he spent many years in the pre-Revolution Iran. He studied electrical engineering and physics and also earned an MBA as well as an Advanced Diploma in Persian Studies. Later, he lived in Iran with his Iranian wife during the Khatami and Ahmadinejad presidencies. He held engineering and management positions with several international companies and served as Country President for a major European engineering group in Iran.
Spanning several decades of Iran's contemporary history, from the Shah's heyday in the early 1970s, through the Islamic Revolution (1979) and the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), to the internationally sanctioned and isolated Iran of the 2000s, this book aims to introduce Iran to people in other countries, particularly those pursuing business ventures in the widely-misunderstood nation and culture. A Persian translation of the book, by Mohsen Mahmoodi, is available under the title Among the Iranians (Dar Miaan-e Iraaniaan; Mehregan Kherad, 2014).
The "Hussein" of the book's title refers to two people. One is Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who has become one of the symbols of the Iranian identity, particularly after the Islamic Revolution, by virtue of his gruesome death in the battle of Karbala, an event that has produced the sternest Islamic mourning ritual during the month of Muharram. The other is US President Barack Hussein Obama, who tried to bring Iran out of its isolation and into the international community.
A broad mix of often-humorous and occasionally-grim stories about Iranians, alongside autobiographical anecdotes, make the book entertaining as well as informative. Iran, Hussein's Dilemma is structured in three parts, sandwiched between an introduction and an epilogue.
Part 1 presents general information about the country, its inhabitants, and the flow of people's lives. Among the topics covered in this part are history, differences with Arab states, the notion of "taarof," demography, religious mourning rituals, regional caste system, travel, and tourism.
Part 2 focuses on business & politics, including how Iran is perceived by the West, the nuclear question, and trouble spots in the relationship with the US. Specific topics addressed include the opaque inner-circle of power, missed opportunities for reconciliation between Iran and the US, and whether Dick Cheney was an Iranian agent!
Part 3 paints a picture of capitalism in Iran and how one might run a business or carry out a project in the country. Chapters or sections in this part cover business norms, expenditure, cash & control procedures, currency, inflation, exchange rates, taxation, negotiations, and HR questions.
Spanning several decades of Iran's contemporary history, from the Shah's heyday in the early 1970s, through the Islamic Revolution (1979) and the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), to the internationally sanctioned and isolated Iran of the 2000s, this book aims to introduce Iran to people in other countries, particularly those pursuing business ventures in the widely-misunderstood nation and culture. A Persian translation of the book, by Mohsen Mahmoodi, is available under the title Among the Iranians (Dar Miaan-e Iraaniaan; Mehregan Kherad, 2014).
The "Hussein" of the book's title refers to two people. One is Imam Hussein, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who has become one of the symbols of the Iranian identity, particularly after the Islamic Revolution, by virtue of his gruesome death in the battle of Karbala, an event that has produced the sternest Islamic mourning ritual during the month of Muharram. The other is US President Barack Hussein Obama, who tried to bring Iran out of its isolation and into the international community.
A broad mix of often-humorous and occasionally-grim stories about Iranians, alongside autobiographical anecdotes, make the book entertaining as well as informative. Iran, Hussein's Dilemma is structured in three parts, sandwiched between an introduction and an epilogue.
Part 1 presents general information about the country, its inhabitants, and the flow of people's lives. Among the topics covered in this part are history, differences with Arab states, the notion of "taarof," demography, religious mourning rituals, regional caste system, travel, and tourism.
Part 2 focuses on business & politics, including how Iran is perceived by the West, the nuclear question, and trouble spots in the relationship with the US. Specific topics addressed include the opaque inner-circle of power, missed opportunities for reconciliation between Iran and the US, and whether Dick Cheney was an Iranian agent!
Part 3 paints a picture of capitalism in Iran and how one might run a business or carry out a project in the country. Chapters or sections in this part cover business norms, expenditure, cash & control procedures, currency, inflation, exchange rates, taxation, negotiations, and HR questions.
October 17, 2018
It is hard to not judge this book. On one hand it is very very well written and on the other hand it feels like a diary of someone. If you are looking for a history book this is not it. This is more about understanding what is going on in Iran. Again, I think it is a bit limited to the circles that the author was in.
The author has understood a lot about Iranian culture and customs. It has helped that he is fluent in Farsi and has an Iranian wife.
All and all I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as book to get an insight into different aspects of Iranian life.
The author has understood a lot about Iranian culture and customs. It has helped that he is fluent in Farsi and has an Iranian wife.
All and all I enjoyed the book and would recommend it as book to get an insight into different aspects of Iranian life.
February 12, 2020
It was an interesting book for understanding the reality and challenges of Iran society (before and after 1979 revolution) but you should consider the fact that Nigel Coulthard lived among an affluent upper-class family of Iran which somehow limits his view on the middle-class and lower classes. All in all, even as an Iranian citizen who was born after revolution I learned a lot about how my country used to be like before 1979. Regrettable...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews