The Strangling of Persia (Persia Observed Series) [Hardcover]

W. M. Shuster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1987 | ISBN-10: 093421106X | ISBN-13: 978-0934211062

In 1911, an ambitious American was invited by a budding Iranian democracy to bring financial stability to the country. He went with the blessing of the British and Russian governments, both of which enjoyed a wide sphere of influence in the region. However, no one expected him to succeed so quickly in making Iran into a credible democracy and he was ousted by the actions of the Russian and British governments. After he was forced to return to the US, Shuster wrote a book revealing the true motives of the superpowers of the time and how the region's course of history was forever altered. "The Strangling of Persia offers keen insights into the timeless methods used by powerful nations to achieve their own ends. More than eighty-five years after its first publication, it remains a powerful indictment of a short-sighted policy that crushed a fragile but promising democracy.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

A new edition of the 1912 work by the American appointed in 1911 by the newly (and briefly) consititutional government of Persia to help organize its finaces. "Ejected" only a year later as a result of "British and Russian diplomatic intrigue," Shuster wrote a lively firsthand account of his expereinces that reveals much about how Great Power interference shaped Iran's history, with considerable reference to recent and current events.

Review

"A new edition of the 1912 work by the American appointed in 1911 by the newly (and briefly) constitutional government of Persia to help organize its finances. "Ejected" only a year later as a result of "British and Russian diplomatic intrigue," Shuster wrote a lively firsthand account of his experiences that reveals much about how Great Power interference shaped Iran's history, with considerable reference to recent and current events." -- Middle East Journal

"Outside Iran, hardly anyone recalls W. Morgan Shuster, or the 1907 Anglo-Russian agreement. Yet what happened then helps explain how Russia was shut out of the Persian Gulf and why Iranians behave as they do today. Before that pact, Iranians looked upon Russia as a traditional enemy and Britain as a well-meaning friend. Britain had aimed to keep all rivals, especially Russia, away from approaches to India, notably the Persian Gulf. The gulf was virtually a British lake, charted, mapped and cleared of pirated by the British Navy... Hardly had he arrived when Shuster became embroiled in a dispute with Russia over customs policy. He asked for, and was given, plenary powers, by Iran's national assembly. Czarist armies were soon marching on Tehran, demanding Shuster's removal. An embarrassed Britain, citing the 1907 pact, came to Russia's support. Shuster departed but then wrote a forceful book, The Strangling of Persia." -- The New York Times

The Great Game continues. -- The New York Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Mage Publishers (June 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 093421106X
• ISBN-13: 978-0934211062
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,404,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An American in Tehran; US exceptionalism & the Great-p., November 1, 1998

By 

Rob S. Glase (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Strangling of Persia (Persia Observed Series) (Hardcover)

Shuster's work stands as a prime example of American exeptionalism when the US was still an exception in international relations. His story is a sad tale of an American realist/idealist who attempted to rise above the great-power rivalries to bring stability and autonomy to a budding democracy caught between strategic conciderations. Anyone farmilure with the US involvement in the coup to overthrow the popular goverment of Mossadiq in 1953 will notice the many parellels and sad ironies in the Shuster text. This book is also perfect as a background to the relationship between the US and the Persian people. Shuster's work is a truely American attack on the European empirial system, and a scathing critic of the culture of diplomacy. Shuster was an exceptional man writing in an exceptional time, but it was exceptions such as Shuster which generated America's exceptional image throughout the world. Robert S. Glase

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the name of Iran, February 2, 2007

By 

Peyman ADLDOUSTI (Persian Gulf) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Strangling of Persia (Paperback)

This book was first hand account of Mr. W. Morgan SHUSTER that how he was a finance consultant for Iran's government during early 1900. He wroked hard to reform Iran's corrupt institutes, and when Russia and Britian found him a problem. Thus, Russia invaded Iran and their army murdered innocent Iranian. Consequently, Mr. SHUSTER quit his position and he left Iran so Russian army would stop murdering Iranians.

It is an excellent book, it worth every penny.