Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History (Cross-Cultural Negotiation Books) [Paperback]

John W. Limbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 14, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1601270437 | ISBN-13: 978-1601270436

As the United States weighs a change of approach toward the Iranian government after thirty years of confrontation, John Limbert steps up with a pragmatic yet positive assessment of how to engage Iran. Through four detailed case studies of past successes and failures, he draws lessons for today s negotiators, and he challenges both Americans and Iranians to end decades of mutually hostile mythmaking. While he acknowledges that any progress at best will be measured in baby steps, Limbert provides clear reasons for renewing dialogue and outlines 14 principles to guide the American who finds himself in a negotiation commercial, political, or other with an Iranian counterpart. John Limbert writes from a personal and professional perspective, combining a deep appreciation and knowledge of Iranian culture and history, first-hand diplomatic experience, and an understanding of what it means to negotiate for the lives of Americans. Anyone interested in understanding U.S.-Iranian history and relations will find this volume invaluable.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John W. Limbert was appointed Distinguished Professor of International Affairs at the U.S. Naval Academy in August 2006 after a 33-year career in the United States Foreign Service. He was president of the American Foreign Service Association (2003-05) and ambassador to Mauritania (2000-03). Ambassador Limbert holds the Department of State s highest award the Distinguished Service Award and the Award for Valor, which he received in 1981 after fourteen months as a hostage in Iran. He has a PhD from Harvard University in history and Middle Eastern studies and has taught in Iranian high schools and at the University of Shiraz. He has written numerous articles on Middle Eastern subjects and has authored Iran: At War with History and Shiraz in the Age of Hafez.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: United States Institute of Peace Press (September 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601270437
• ISBN-13: 978-1601270436
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > History > Middle East > Iran

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BATNAS and what that's all about!, May 31, 2010

By 

Brian H. Appleton "persophile" (San Jose, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History (Cross-Cultural Negotiation Books) (Paperback)

I think that if anyone has the right to an opinion about Iran US relations and how to improve them, it is Ambassador John Limbert. He was held for 14 months in the former US Embassy in Tehran from 1979 to 1981.
In his book "Negotiating With Iran; wrestling with ghosts of history," he does a masterful job of educating anyone who is interested in the truth, about the events which have poisoned the relations between these two nations and created myths on both sides, which stand in the way of peace.
Some of his insights on incidents which were murky to me at best, such as the Iran Contra Affair and the roles of such individuals as Michael Ledeen, Manouchehr Ghorbaniffar and Albert Hakim were illuminating of the ineptitude of various administrations, that they would rely upon such questionable intermediaries and trade arms for hostages with no real evidence that Iran could influence events in Lebanon. Limbert fearlessly and impartially exposes mistakes made on both sides and he talks openly about the US backing Iraq in the Iran Iraq War.
For anyone who cannot understand where the Iranian animosity comes from, Limbert explains it all from things as obvious as the 1953 CIA sponsored coup to oust Mossadeg and reinstate the Shah, to subtler things like "S.O.F.A."(Status of Forces Agreement) which gave US military and their dependants residing in Iran during the '60 and `70's immunity from Iranian laws.
Ambassador Limbert has come up with a set of 14 steps to negotiate with Iran which have greater odds of success than the past three decades of mutual animosity, much of which has been generated and kept alive by self serving politicians on both sides. He is realistic about what might be accomplished or considered success. Avoiding clichés and foregone conclusions which lead to self fulfilling prophecies and recognizing that the substance of initial negotiation will be largely symbolic are points that he stresses.
At the time that Limbert wrote this book, he was professor of history at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and a fellow at the US Institute of Peace which is an NGO. I am pleased that Mr. Obama has recognized John Limbert as an asset and made him Deputy Assistant Secretary of State to the Iran bureau in the Middle East Department of the State Department. John Limbert is a man who knows Iran, loves Iran and wants peace. He is fluent in Arabic, Persian and French and he once taught for many years in Iranian schools prior to the revolution of 1979. The fact that he went to the trouble to research and write this book in the interest of peace speaks volumes about his character and his personal commitment to this mission. I highly recommend reading this book for anyone struggling for the truth beneath the constant propaganda barrage being fired from radicals on both sides.

9 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wise and highly recommended read for those who seek a better understanding of the current crisis, October 15, 2009

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History (Cross-Cultural Negotiation Books) (Paperback)

Iran is something that must be approached gingerly. "Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts
of History" discusses how to approach the Iranian government when the United States and Iran have had a shaky relationship for decades, through much of the countries' shared existence. John Limbert puts his scholarly mind with advice to diplomats and other international negotiators on how to come out of this conflict a more peaceful world, and averting a potential nuclear crisis. "Negotiating with Iran" is a wise and highly recommended read for those who seek a better understanding of the current crisis.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book of Modern culture Iran., September 4, 2011

By 

kumaraguru A - See all my reviews

This review is from: Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History (Cross-Cultural Negotiation Books) (Paperback)

The interceptions of USA and the Organizations formed for best cultural practices that negotiated for Iran People to live happily. It is best of conceived and organized.Negotiating with Iran: Wrestling the Ghosts of History (Cross-Cultural Negotiation Books)