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Title: Answering Only to God: Faith and Freedom in Twenty-First-Century Iran by Geneive Abdo, Jonathan Lyons ISBN: 0-8050-7299-3 Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc. Pub. Date: 05 March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: The truth shall set you free
Comment: In 1979 Iranians took to the streets to depose the Shah. The Shah had dismantled everything the religious radicals held dear in Iran. He had abolished 'Islamic only' history and began speaking of a 'pre-Islamic' state based on the historical Persia. He ordered his army to rip the veils off women and then finally gave women the right to vote, something that Islamic radicals like the Ayatollah found anathema to their male dominated society. Lastly the Shah became an ally of Israel. In many ways the Shah wanted to emulate Ataturk but he didn't realize Ataturk succeeded because he was a nationalist. This book details the total failure of the alternative to the Shahs rule.
The 1979 revolution has been called the 'last great revolution' but in fact it was a total failure. The Muslims who took power in 1979 promised a free democratic society based on traditional Islam. But it wasn't long until 'traditional' Islam began to infringe on the everyday rights of people. Dancing was abolished. Women were no longer allowed to shake the hands of 'nonrelated' men. Beauty parlors were closed and veils were forcefully applied to all women. The state became totalitarian and in effect the new regime became worse then the old for many average people.
The authors of this book went to Iran in the 90s and explored this phenomenon of a revolution gone wrong. Although slightly dated this book shows the reality inside those that would proclaim Islamic states based on religious Shari'a law. This book chronicles the failure of the high minded revolutionaries, in many ways similar to the failure of revolution in Russia. In both Russia and Iran a revolution promised freedom for the average man but ended up shackling the average people more then before.
Today Iran is in the midst of returning to secular democracy. In 1979 Iranian students hated America 'The Great Satan' now they listen to broadcasts intently.. An interesting book, an important read.
Rating: 2
Summary: A Good Book Four Years Out of Date
Comment: As interesting as this book is, I must say it is four years late and four years out of date. Iran has moved on so much in the last four years since Abdo and Lyons were kicked out by the "reformist" elements.
We now have a situation where amongst the arrested students from recent protests are even children of the Islamic establishement such as the son of Isfahan MP, Shirzad.
Four years ago the population were still hopeful of Khatami's promises of reform and naturally like any other people would rather if they can and is possible, reach their goals through peaceful methods. This illusion is now over. The Iranians know that reform is not possible within the Islamic system.
Rating: 5
Summary: Often surprising, always informative
Comment: Abdo and Lyons are among this country's more gifted writers. "Answering Only to God" is an honest and caring account of contemporary Iran. They deserve high praise for their initiative and honesty in telling the story of people so often misunderstood in the West. I find their book a phenomenally enthusiastic yet objective account of Persians. In my opinion, this is Pulitzer Prize-winning work.
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Title: All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror by Stephen Kinzer ISBN: 0471265179 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 18 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi ISBN: 0375504907 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 25 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran by Afshin Molavi ISBN: 0393051196 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi ISBN: 0375422307 Publisher: Pantheon Books Pub. Date: 29 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: The Last Great Revolution: Turmoil and Transformation in Iran (Vintage) by Robin B. Wright ISBN: 0375706305 Publisher: Vintage Books Pub. Date: 13 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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