Patriot of Persia
Author(s): Christopher de Bellaigue
Christopher de Bellaigue, a former contributor to The Economist, brings to light the fascinating story of one of the great anti-colonial heroes of the twentieth century: Muhammad Mossadegh, the great Iranian leader whose untimely demise resulted in the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and a man who has been demonized, ridiculed, and misunderstood in the West while remaining an icon and an inspiration across the Middle East. Patriot of Persia, a new biography exploring his life and impact, opens a crucial new window into Mossadeghwhose role in the evolution of Irans political climate cannot be overemphasizedproviding a resource that will prove equally invaluable to academics, newshounds, and activists as they struggle to understand Mideast politics, Iran, Ahmadinejad, and the future of the regionand the world.
Review(s):
A compelling biography Bellaiguewrites with economy and a lightly ironic touchThe result is a three-dimensional profile of Mossadegh that contrasts sharply with the heroic democrat mythologized by his supporters.
Economist Tehran correspondent de Bellaigue uses plenty of local insight to provide general readers with an intriguing combination of biography, history and strategic study.
superbly researched
a major strength of the book is that it does not seek to lionize the protagonist.
BrilliantA sweeping new biographyalso a rich portrait of Iran amid the revolutionary upheaval of anti-colonial reform movements-the antecedent, in many ways, of todays Middle East uprisings.
thanks to veteran journalist Christopher de Bellaigues brisk, engaging 300-page biography, Mossadeghs strange personality and at times baffling motives come into clearer focus.
A timely bookelegantly writtenfeels both fresh and relevanthighlights the dangers of a foreign policy that ignores the perceptions of those with memories longer than our own.
Superbly timedportrays some fascinating, and often farcical, stories of political life in Iran
Compelling the West has handled its relationship with Iran as badly as possible we have little leverage with its peoplede Bellaigues book goes far to explain why.
De Bellaigues book is unsurpassed as a rounded portrait of Mossadegh.
ISBN:9780061844706
