Going to Tehran: Why America Must Accept the Islamic Republic of Iran Paperback – December 31, 2013

I'll admit, while I don't always agree with Professor Leverett's views, they are well presented and argued here. The book provides an understanding of the historical growth of the Iranian nation and the impact of the Revolution on modern political issues, both regionally and internationally. His experience and insight provide an excellent perspective that many Americans will not have access to (and some will flat out reject). If you want an interesting and different overview of modern Iran, grab the book, you will not be disappointed (even if you do disagree with his positions)

A unique view from State Department/National Security Counsel/CIA insiders that should help rationalize the dialog about Iran. I liked especially the comparison about the Nixon trip to China and what we should be doing today.

The dogs of war in the U.S. media bark and, in true Don Quixote fashion, it’s a sign that authors Hillary and Flynt Leverett are on the move. In their electrifying new book, Going to Tehran: Why the United States Must Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the former National Security Council experts – who were forced out of their positions for their opposition to Washington’s war-mongering and occupation – take on the growing myths told by the U.S. government about Iran.

Liberals, conservatives and centrists in the U.S. media hysterically attacked Going to Tehran as soon as it came out. The Wall Street Journal derided the Leveretts as “Washington’s most outspoken defenders of the mullahs,” in a particularly nasty hit-piece called “I Heart Khomenei.” Laura Secor of the New York Times called the book “one-sided” and a “mirror image” of the anti-Iran propaganda churned out by the U.S. government. Foreign Affairs claims they “overargue” their case for ending U.S. hostilities. The Weekly Standard accused them of “paranoid dogmatism,” and The New Republic called the book “an act of ventriloquism,” presumably with the Iranian government as the puppet master.

When I see a book receive universal condemnation from the corporate-owned media, I take it as a sign that I need to read it. And ultimately every anti-war activist in the U.S. owes it to the people of Iran to check out this well-researched, persuasive and highly readable case against war with Iran. After all, we live in a country where Argo, a ludicrous xenophobic hit-piece on the Iranian Revolution, wins the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 2012 Oscars. As the Leveretts show in their book, the U.S. government and the corporate media work hand-in-glove to dominate the narrative on Iran, telling and repeating all sorts of myths and falsehoods to build the case for war against a large, independent, oil-producing country in the Middle East. Going to Tehran sets the record straight.

The book focuses on dispelling three elements of the U.S. mythology around Iran, breaking each into three-chapter parts. First, it challenges the myth that Iran is an irrational state “incapable of thinking about its foreign policy interests,” arguing instead that the Islamic Republic is incredibly rational in its fight for survival as a revolutionary state in a region historically dominated by U.S. imperialism and Israeli militarism. Second, it unravels the myth of Iran as an illegitimate state, by showing the overwhelming popularity of the Iranian government and refuting the unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud in 2009. Finally, it challenges the myth that the U.S. can – or should – topple Iran through sanctions, diplomatic isolation and the threat of war.

Going to Tehran is written primarily to persuade policy-makers to abandon the current U.S. strategy of toppling the government of Iran. Throughout the whole book, the Leveretts seem frustrated at the very likely possibility that their well-researched case against war with Iran will go unread by politicians. However, the primary audience that will benefit from Going to Tehran is not lawmakers, but rather anti-war activists. Anti-war organizers could use the book as a starting point for reading groups and teach-ins about the nature of U.S. aggression.

The disorganized response by the U.S. anti-war movement to NATO’s attack on Libya proves the need for a unified, principled, anti-imperialist opposition to war that seeks to build meaningful international solidarity. And in 2013, Going to Tehran is an important contribution to that struggle.

I wrote a more thorough review on the book that appeared on Fight Back! News in June 2013. Amazon won't let me post links, but a Google Search will turn it up if you're curious on reading more about this outstanding book.

A truly well researched and factual description of the conditions in Iran as well as excellent recommendations to USG as how to approach resolving the dispute between the two countries.

A must read unravelling Middle East policy and American misadventure post cold war. The other side is aptly unfolded presenting a picture in dramatic contrast to prevailing opinion,spin, and outright propaganda that has colored American public opinion of Iran and it's Islamic Republic. The book traces the development of competing opinion and policy both in Iran and in the foreign policy centers of American government. Think tanks and expats, neocons, interest pacs and liberal interventionist that shape foreign policy to meet their objectives are portrayed and agendas revealed to better understand why we are where we are in the quagmire that is the MIddle East. Missed opportunities for raproachment are presented as they conflict with the changes in American policy from a concern with balancing power to a desire for American hegemony and vital control of dwindling oil resources. Anyone interested in becoming informed and is open minded will benefit from absorbing the fact filled pages of this scholarly work.

Excellent book.

This book gives the true story of what the Islamic Repulic of Iran is all about. Found it to be very informative.

I receive just as promised. Would definitely do business with this seller again.