The Golden Cage: Three Brothers, Three Choices, One Destiny [Hardcover]

Shirin Ebadi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2011

"If you do not have the power to overthrow the rule of oppression, inform others of the oppression."—Persian proverb

For over fifty years the Shah Pahlavi dynasty ruled Iran until Ayatollah Khomeini's 1979 Islamic Revolution seized power and began its own reign of tyranny. The questions about the revolution shape The Golden Cage while the answers shed light on Islamic Iran's current events and tell us why it strives for nuclear energy, chants "Death to Israel," and claims to be the most powerful force in the Middle East and Muslim world.

History perhaps is best described through life stories we each can hold dearly. The Golden Cage is one such story about three brothers the author knew through their sister, Pari, a childhood friend. Each brother subscribes to a different political ideology that tears Iran and their lives apart. As Pari observes, her brothers live deluded lives in golden cages of ideology. These words mark the beginning of this story, illuminating the multifaceted, oppressive Iran of today and years past.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Very powerful” (PBS Frontline )

“Riveting ... this moving book is a monument in itself, commemorating friendship and the human spirit” (The Times, UK )

“Powerful declaration between each line” (Diplomat Magazine )

“Moving memoir” (Publishers Weekly )

“Masterpiece... a beautiful innocence of writing” (Ceasefire Magazine )

“Bold and brave” (Wall Street Journal )

“Poignant memories... painfully real” (Amnesty International )

“Extraordinary” (The Independent, U.K. )

“Nobel winner writes of peace” (NPR All Things Considered )

“Gripping story... a sad lesson in how revolutions eat their own” (Director Isobel Coleman of the Council on Foreign Relations )

“Amazing. Do not miss this book” (President Jessica Tuchman Mathews of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace )

“Couldn’t put it down...guarantee you will be touched” (Executive Director Karen Greenberg of The Center on Law and Security at New York University )

About the Author

Shirin Ebadi, a worldwide advocate for human rights, is the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (2003). Her book Iran Awakening has been translated into forty languages.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kales Press (April 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979845645
• ISBN-13: 978-0979845642
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Telling Us All About It May 8, 2011

By DGaudet

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was very excited to order and read this book given Shirin Ebadi's status as a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The story relates the family history of a close friend of Ms. Ebadi's and the tragic lives of the family's three brothers.

Although the beginning of the book seemed disorganized and a little confusing, things settled down as I began to understand the main characters and their personalities. Although Ms. Ebadi is the narrator, the book is not really about her or her life. It is about her friend's family and three brothers, all of whom chose different political beliefs and associations.

From this book I gained insight into the culture, traditions, religion, and politics of Iran from the 1900's until today. I gained additional respect for the people of Iran and the stresses and the hardships they live with daily. I applaud Ms. Ebadi for relating what must have been a difficult story. Even though the book itself may not directly change the status of people in Iran, she has done what the Iranian sociologist Ali Shariati suggested (on page 252 of Ebadi's book) and that is "if you can't eliminate injustice, at least tell everyone about it". Thank you, Ms. Ebadi, for telling us all about it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Reader Should Comment! July 20, 2011

By Bruce Blagg

Format:Hardcover

I don't write reviews. But I had to comment on this book. I felt that I could not read this book and then not have my voice join Shirin's in protesting the oppression the people of Iran are under. I hope everyone who reads this book will comment and let others know that the story is being heard and hearts are being touched.

Thanks, Shirin, for having the courage and taking the risk to share this story. Thanks, Pari, for allowing your family's story be told.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful story tha needed to be told December 7, 2011

By Alex Censor

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have tremendous respect for Shirin Ebadi, having read her book Iran Awakening, and the modern peacemakers book Shirin Ebadi. This is a woman committed to Human Rights as well as love for her country. She shows in this book three different perspectives of the three brothers who were family friends for many years. For those of us who wonder how perspectives are shaped, and lives lived so differently in one family and all of the Moslem fait she sheds light on just that, while making clear her deep need for social justice in Iran. Dr. Ebadi is a key founder of the Nobel Woman's Imitative, a group of Nobel Prize winning women working together to raise awareness in creating nonviolent social change. I consider this book a must read for those interested in the struggle for human rights in Iran,or anywhere else.
Meera C.