The Great Satan vs. the Mad Mullahs: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other [Paperback]

William O. Beeman (Author, Preface)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226041476 | ISBN-13: 978-0226041476 | Publication Date: April 15, 2008

 

For more than twenty-five years, the United States and Iran have been diplomatically estranged, each characterizing the other not only as a political adversary, but also as devious, threatening, and essentially evil. According to William O. Beeman’s provocative book, The “Great Satan” vs. the “Mad Mullahs,” such demonization is a self-fulfilling prophecy, as both countries have embraced exactly the policies and rhetoric that would particularly threaten or insult the other. Drawing on his experience as a linguistic anthropologist, Beeman parses how political leaders have used historical references, religious associations, and the mythology of evil to inflame their own citizens against the foreign country, and proposes a way out of this dangerous debacle.
 
“William Beeman’s analysis of dissonant perceptions of Iran and the USA is compelling and important. . . . I am particularly grateful for this work.”—James Peacock, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
 
“[Beeman] is more interested in informing the reader than in impressing his peers. The other strength of the book lies in the author’s knowledge of Iranian history and culture. . . . It challenges the reader and forces him to question stereotypes about Iran and Washington’s perspective on the country.”—Abbas William Samii, Middle East Journal

 

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If you want to know why we are so ignorant about the United States-Iran relations, read this book. Never before has the mutual demonization between these two governments been so systematically described and analyzed from an anthropological perspective.”—R. K. Ramazani, University of Virginia
 

(R. K. Ramazani )

“William Beeman’s analysis of dissonant perceptions of Iran and the USA is compelling and important. . . . I am particularly grateful for this work.”—James Peacock, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

 

 

 

(James Peacock )

“[Beeman] is more interested in informing the reader than in impressing his peers. The other strength of the book lies in the author’s knowledge of Iranian history and culture. . . . It challenges the reader and forces him to question stereotypes about Iran and Washington’s perspective on the country.”—Abbas William Samii, Middle East Journal

 

 

 

(Abbas William Samii Middle East Journal )

"Drawing on his experience as a linguistic anthropologist, Beeman parses how political leaders have used historical references, religious associations, and the mythology of evil to inflame their own citizens against the other foreign country and proposes a way out of this dangerous debacle."—Muslim World Book Review

(Muslim World Book Review )

Review

"Bill Beeman, the author of the classic text, Language, Status and Power in Iran, returns now with a provocative and timely analysis of why Iranian and U.S. diplomats are caught in vicious circles of cultural miscommunication and mutual demonization. Must reading for diplomats, policy wonks, pundits, and concerned citizens."

(

Michael M. J. Fischer, Professor of Anthropology and Science Technology Studies, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of Mute Dreams, Blind Owls, and Dispersed Knowledges: Persian Poesis in the Transnational Circuity

) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226041476
• ISBN-13: 978-0226041476
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William O. Beeman is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota and Past-President of the Middle East Section of the American Anthropological Association. He was formerly Professor of Anthropology and Director of Middle East Studies at Brown University. Best known as a Middle East Specialist for more than 30 years, he has also worked in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Japan, China and South Asia. Recognized for special expertise in Iranian culture, he is the author or editor of more than 100 scholarly articles, 500 opinion pieces and 14 books, including Language, Status and Power in Iran, and The "Great Satan" vs. the "Mad Mullahs": How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other. His forthcoming book from Mazda Press is Iranian Performance Forms: Keys to Iranian Culture. He has served as consultant to the United States State Department, the Department of Defense, the United Nations and the United States Congress. A frequent commentator on national and international radio and television, his written opinion pieces have also appeared in major newspapers throughout the world. He is also a professional opera singer (bass), and collaborated with stage director, Daniel Helfgot, on The Third Line: The Opera Performer as Interpreter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine analysis of the subject and a refreshing approach to the study of international relations, February 18, 2006

By 

Matteo Legrenzi (St. Antony's College, Oxford) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Satan vs. the Mad Mullahs: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book. The author has a deep understanding of both American and Iranian culture. He argues persuasively that the conflict between Iran and the United States centers not on substantive differences but on symbolic discourse. In other words, he shows how ideology plays an important part in the formulation of both Iranian and American foreign policy.

The only caveat, as someone who studies American policy towards the states on the `other shore' of the Gulf, is that sometimes, in order to purport a symmetry in American and Iranian attitudes, the author overestimates the systemic nature of the communication problems between the two countries. A bona fide effort was exerted towards the end of the Clinton administration to break through the wall of incommunicability between the two nations. It is unfortunate that that particular occasion was missed, as was a parallel one being carried out with North Korea, and the situation is now very dangerous indeed. We assist at the `preparing of the ground' by op-ed writers and other neo-conservative pundits for possible military action against Iran.

At a broader level, irrespective of the subject matter of the book, what is amazing for a student of international relations is the level of insight to be gained by a judicious application of anthropology to the study of the bilateral relations of two states. The author, without entering the choppy waters and the tired controversies of International Relations theory, manages to illuminate the systemic nature of the rivalry between Iran and the United States. This approach could be fruitfully applied to many other disputes around the globe. The book is literally peppered with incredibly interesting observations about the nature of diplomacy in today's world and the importance of communication in the conduct of international relations. Each of them could be fruitfully expanded in a self-standing line of research and could be applied to other international disputes. All of this is written in a clear, jargon-free way that would put to shame many IR specialists (as well as some anthropologists). Even outside the boundaries of academia an educated lay reader can truly enjoy this book.

Overall, this is a really good book. It is certainly necessary reading for anyone interested in American and Iranian foreign policy. However, it is also to be recommended to scholars of international relations who do not focus on the Middle East because of its refreshing approach to the study of international politics. Finally, any concerned individual who is following current events would gain a lot by reading it.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Most Important Book, September 28, 2005

By 

Don Weadon (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Satan vs. the Mad Mullahs: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other (Hardcover)

Bill Beeman's new book, Great Satan vs. Mad Mullahs, How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other, is one of the most important books published this year. In light of the pressing policy issues of the US-Iran impasse on nuclear energy, his book is decidedly on point in the evaluation of the Iranian response to U.S. rhetoric and punitive diplomatic maneuvering. In his informed and perceptive analysis, Beeman demonstrates how Iranian argument and expository patterns, while culturally determined, evoke an essential desire for self-respect. And regardless of Iran's economic ties or future petroleverage, it is a message which has found a significant following among many nations.

For those Americans (and Iranians) who desire a thorough, dispassionate and perceptive understanding of how our two nations are incapable of understanding one another, and how real communications can begin, this book is essential reading. It provides a world of understanding of two important cultures and their communications challenges.

Don Weadon

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air, March 7, 2006

By 

TenorFrank (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Satan vs. the Mad Mullahs: How the United States and Iran Demonize Each Other (Hardcover)

Beeman's book hits the nail on the head: The US and Iran should be seeking common interests instead of demonizing one another. This is a passionate analysis by someone who really knows both countries. Michael Rubin's review reveals him as a neo-con desperate to discredit Beeman, using ungentlemanly and anti-intellectual hyperbole. When he claims that there is nothing congruent to Iran's cry of "Death to America," he is conveniently forgetting about the Axis of Evil speech.