America and Iran, John Ghazvinian
America and Iran, John Ghazvinian
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America and Iran
A History, 1720 to the Present

Author: John Ghazvinian

Narrator: Fred Sanders

Unabridged: 27 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/26/2021


Synopsis

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR • A hugely ambitious, “delightfully readable, genuinely informative” portrait (The New York Times) of the two-centuries-long entwined histories of Iran and America—two powers who were once allies and now adversaries—by an admired historian and former journalist.

In this rich, fascinating history, John Ghazvinian traces the complex story of the relations between these two nations back to the Persian Empire of the eighteenth century—the subject of great admiration by Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams—and an America seen by Iranians as an ideal to emulate for their own government.

Drawing on years of archival research both in the United States and Iran—including access to Iranian government archives rarely available to Western scholars—the Iranian-born, Oxford-educated historian leads us through the four seasons of U.S.–Iran relations: the spring of mutual fascination; the summer of early interactions; the autumn of close strategic ties; and the long, dark winter of mutual hatred. Ghazvinian makes clear where, how, and when it all went wrong. America and Iran shows why two countries that once had such heartfelt admiration for each other became such committed enemies—and why it didn’t have to turn out this way.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Rowena on January 15, 2021

A readable and accessible history of US-Iran relations. It attempts to understand why relations haven’t been restored since the revolution but also points to how much There is to gain for both if diplomatic relations were re-established. All in all an enjoyable read.......more

Goodreads review by Shahin on June 24, 2021

This was such an interesting book. I learned so much about Iran and its relationship with the United States. It was written in a balanced way up until the last sections when it seemed that Iran tried many times to repair the relationship, only to have the US and Israel block any such moves. But that......more

Goodreads review by Isaac on January 10, 2022

What starts off as an interesting history falls apart somewhere around the Carter administration. Instead of a balanced account of the complications of the America-Iran relationship, we're presented with a myopic narrative in which Iran has shown nothing but non-stop eagerness to repair its relation......more

Goodreads review by Hunter on March 17, 2025

This was, undoubtedly, one of the best history books I’ve read, and one that should be required reading for people interested in US relations with Iran and the broader Middle East. It was insightful; it honestly assessed the intentions and moves of everyone involved, pulling no punches; and it was w......more

Goodreads review by Zach on February 28, 2021

Great primer for those uninitiated with Iran's complex history but fails with some of its post 1979 observations. The objective eye of a historian begins to flail in the latter chapters, seemingly falling for the trappings of a less informed geopolitical analyst.The author seems to intentionally mis......more


Quotes

"An expert on Iran delineates the massive rift between the erstwhile 'closest of allies' ... relevant, highly elucidating ... an evenhanded, revelatory narrative in which the author avoids muddying the waters with an overtly political agenda. An excellent single-volume history of a fraught international relationship."--Kirkus (starred review)"Ghazvinian describes in exquisite detail the relationship between Iran and the United States--from its inception in the years before the American Revolution to the present day. Beautifully laid out and at time reading like a thriller you don't want to put down ... Ghazvinian deftly shows us when, where, and why things went (and still do go) wrong. If ever the question 'why do they hate us' arises in the Iranian context, just read this book."--Hooman Majd, author of The Ayatollah Begs to Differ"History in the hands of a master. Ghazvinian leads us far beyond the mindless shouting of recent decades to tell a story of friendship, sacrifice, and discovery. Should be required reading in both Tehran and Washington."--Ambassador John Limbert, US Deputy Secretary of State for Iran (2009-10); former hostage in the US Embassy in Tehran (1979-81)