Customer Reviews

The Soul of Iran: A Nation's Journey to Freedom

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1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was excited to see this book in the store because I had read Persian Pilgrimages, the hardback version, and had heard that an updated version was in the works. I'm not sure if I agree with the publisher's decision to change the title to Soul of Iran (I think Persian Pilgrimages is more poetic), but the author, Molavi, delivers us more of his compelling and insightful narrative about his travels in Iran. What I like most about this work is the author's ability to weave history, politics, culture, and personal stories into a very nice narrative. He is also refreshingly honest and unbiased. His extensive interviews with the poor and the war veterans shows that he didnt only spend his time with rich, westernized Iranians. The new chapter -- his visit to the shrine of Dr Mossadegh -- is probably his best in teh whole book. In fact, I was disapointed that he didnt include a Mossadegh pilgrimage in the original, but he more than makes up for it here. This is simply a great book. As an Iranian-American who lived through the revolution and is frustrated by the American media's simplistic depictions of Iran, I think this book offers a far more sophisticated analysis of Iranian life than any other work out there. But the author doesnt take any sides. He explains things, but doesnt try to push an agenda. All those interested ib learning about the realities of an important country in the Middle East should pick up this book. And read it twice - as I did!

As confrontation heats up with Iran, every American should read this book. You'll find everything in it: history, politics, culture, ordinary Iranian lives. After reading this book, I truly felt like I could interpret some of the news headlines that come out of Iran (and I knew virtuallly nothing about the place before reading it).

With each page, I learned something new and the author clearly knows his stuff. He also seems like a decent and humane person, which is important when you spend so much time traveling with him (vicariously, through 350 pages). He takes you to all of the great Iranian cities, describes important moments in Iranian history, and gives you a sense of what Iranians are thinking today based on his wide travels across the country. I like the fact that this book is not Tehran-centric because I often find in my own travels (I've backpacked across southeast Asia) that the views in the capital are different than the views oustide.

Iran had often confused me because, on the one hand, I read about democracy movements and young people longing for an American-style life and, on the other hand, I see images of Death to Israel and Death to America chanting crowds. This book explores both of those worlds and shows that, on the whole, Iranians are more frustrated with their own government than they are with America or anyone else. But it also shows how nationalist Iranians can be and his interviews with war veterans shows us that there is still some fight left in them in the case of a war with America.

Our media does a terrible job of covering Iran, so we have to rely on books like these to learn something deeper. This book should be read by all of our policy-makers.

Overall, a great book. It was well worth the time spent reading it. 'Soul of Iran' gives you a better understanding of Iranian politics, the countries internal conflicts, and a look into the lives/culture of everyday Iranians. I would highly recommed this book to someone looking for an honest portrayal of modern day, real life Iran.

This is one of the best political travel books I've read in a long time. The writing is superb, with flashes of real brilliance, and the history is sweeping and comprehensive. This book is like a front-row seat and a fly-on-the wall experience as Molavi travels throughout Iran, explaining everything from architecture to politics to Persian poetry. In the end, you come away feeling both hopeful and sad. Iran is really a tragic place. Iranians have so much potential, but they have been abused by Shahs, mullahs, the CIA and others. In this book, Molavi ably shows the beauty of Persian culture and the corruption of Iranian politics. As someone who grew up in Delhi, I was always fascinated by Iran because of its influence on Mughal India. What most attracted me in this book, however, was not the history, but the characters we meet in the journey, which gives us a glimpse into ordinary Iranian lives. The one flaw: while the writing is mostly superb, as I said, it is inconsistent. There are places where he falters, especially when delivering long chunks of history. Still, this is just simply a great book.

It has been quite a long time; I have not enjoyed a book so much. The author Afshin Molavi, an Iranian-American interviews with 2000 Iranians and visits more than 20 cities. He writes about Iran's journey to democracy.
Afshin portraits the Iranian society so well that when I was reading the book, I felt I am right there: with my family, friends, relatives and people that I know and adore. I found every one I knew there (all so real): the local baker, the local butcher, taxi drives I have always enjoyed to chat with, my family, many nationalist Iranians, my reformist ex-classmates, my religious classmates, hard-line university mates. The author feels people and has sympathy with them. That is why he writes so well about them.

I loved the style of his writing. He has poetic talent. I am not sure if he knows it or not! The book is so rich and also contains so much about Iranian history from Cyrus the Great to President Ahmadinejad. However, you do not feel that you are reading history because it is so fused with well designed interviews. I loved his choice of people. He covers almost every one, possessing almost every attitude. He visits so many places that are important to different people of different backgrounds. He writes about politics but he emphasizes on the human side of it. He is so fair and well-read.

If you read this book, you will know so much about Iran (not all about it but so much). I really suggest this lovely book. The main problem however, in my view was that the author did not interview many educated women: say engineers, practitioners, artists. I am sure that they had so much to say. It is what is missing in the book.

There were a few mistakes as well. The book gives this impression that Persian Empire was the first Iranian empire. But in fact Elamit Empire was the first. They ruled more than 2000 years before Persians. Iranian history is much longer than that. There was another mistake in the birth date of Zoroaster. He lived more than 2000 years before Mohammad not 1000 years.
Well done to the author.

For me, Afshin Molavi is the best native commentator on present day Iran. As I am writing this review the United States, Western Europe and Israel are growing more paranoid by the hour about Iran's nuclear program.
As usual President Bush and his people are relying on simplistic notions and contemplating simplistic solutions about this situation. Why is the West doing nothing to support and further the cause of the reformists and progressives in Iran?

Americans need to keep in mind that Iran is not some backward Arabic nation. Iran is truly a potential world pwer and it possesses one of the youngest populations in the world. Most of the Iranian population, especially the youngest, are disgusted with over 30 years of mullahism. Recall the student riots a few years back. They are ready for change and have attempted to do their best to vote in reformism.
Iranians also have deep affection for the United States. Remember that after 9/11 the Iranian people were perhaps the only Muslim people to hold candlelight vigils, expressing sincere sadness for that day.
The United States and Israel would be making serious mistakes and perhaps irreparable damage if they try any military intervention. We Iranians hate the mullahs and the Islamic Republic but we are also patriots and proud of our nation and heritage. Iran will never be in the same situation as Iraq.

Please, please, America must do what she had done during the Cold War with communism. America must offer support to the Iranian discontented, utilize satellite TV and offer people such as Molavi and other like him a voice to be heard.

Molavi should be on CNN and Fox, Larry King and Bill O'Reilly and be allowed to tell the American people that when you see "Death To Amerika" signs or hear it chanted in Iran realize that it is government sanctioned and the vast majority of Iranian people do not feel this in their hearts. When the Mullahs rant on and on about Israel he would be their to tell world that most Iranians are not concerned about that situation and don't feel it any of their business. He would remind the world that under The Shah, Iran was a major Israeli supporter.
We need to see so many of the bright asnd talented and beautiful Iranian men and women who just want to live their lives, love their families and hold their heads up as proud Iranian patriots.

Do not give up on the Iranian people. We are the children of Cyrus and Zarathustra and Avicenna, Khayyam and Rumi. My fellow Americans and the West must learn this.

Read the review below this one.

Nothing expresses the stark reality of the situation in Iran better than Asfin Molavi's books and the sentiments of the reviewer, "Persian Princess."

If anything, this book will highlight how assumptions made by most Americans are woefully simplistic when it comes to the richness, tenacity, and creativity of the Iranian people, including their love for the West. (BTW, I'm not Iranian, but sometimes when I have a good kabob, I wish I were.)

We had best get over our irrational fear and start focusing on what lies under the veil of rhetoric, both here and in Iran. Bravo to Mr. Molavi for highlighting the truth through the eyes of ordinary Iranians, who not only struggle to be heard above the filter of a fundamentalist regime, but also struggle to be perceived as they truly are by Western media. Read this book and gain an unexpected education. Then, do not pass go and pick up Molavi's other book.

Where are the critics, pundits and talking heads? They should be all over this author. . .

This book does an amazing job rendering the staggering complexities, subtleties, and apparent contradictions of Iranian society in an intriguing yet understandable way.

After reading many similar books - those written by journalists who travel around a country relating anecdotes about the everyday people they meet and those they interview, and incorporating the broad history of the country somehow - I've yet to find one written as well as this one, both in terms of how enjoyable the story is and how strong of a grasp the author has on the subject.

An excellent journalistic approach to the lives, history and stories from Iran's people. Ranging from the melon vendor to the conservative cleric. A must read for anyone wishing to understand the problems facing Iran today and in the future.

Afshin Molavi's compelling book lead me to discover Iran for myself. I recently returned from three weeks in Iran that did not disappoint. The Iranian people were hospitable beyond anything I have experienced, even while G.W.Bush was on the news threatening their country. I feel that The Soul of Iran gave me an insight that I might have otherwise overlooked on my own pilgrimage.