Blood and Oil : Inside the Shah's Iran

Rating:
Summary: An excellent objective book on 20th century Iran. A++
Review: Blood and Oil elucidates the history of Iran and its twentieth century encounter with the West in a most objective manner. The book is based on the life of Manucher Farmanfarmaian, a prince of the Qajar Dynasty (overthown in the 1920's). The high offfices held by Mr. Farmanfarmaian, his father (a former Prime-minister), and his brothers (Generals, ministers, diplomats ...) gives him the unique ability to take the reader behind the closed doors of Iranian politics all the way through the 1979 Revolution. Overall, an objective and entertaining book of high historic and academic value.

Rating:
Summary: Apologist
Review: Historical review of British involvement is fascinating reading, especially the parts concerning the partnership disputes with the Persian government.

Analysis of political events is shallow particularly from an "insider". Reads more like an apologist making excuses for the Shah. Mostly attributes the unpopularity of the Shah to incompetent government and glosses over the terrible human rights abuses widely reported by Amnesty International on brutal treatment of political opponents of the Shah.

What is left out of this book would make for great reading. Author seems to have a very selective memory and appears to have quite the ego. Claims to be involved in too many critical events in recent Iranian history and always portrays himself as correctly predicting course of events.

Rating:
Summary: Great writing style, but lacking in solid insightful info.
Review: In this book, an Iranian aristocrat tells a tale of his memories of Iran's turbulent development years in 20th century. The book is first and foremost a selective story of the author's experiences rather than an insightful look at Iran's government and politics. It is very selective and subjective in presenting events as to support the author's point of view and conclusions. The book by itself does not provide necessary historic background to understand the political events discussed and hence one should already have a good knowledge of Iran' s political history to be able to digest the information and viewpoints provided in Blood & Oil. This book does provide a good insight into Iranian aristocratic life under the Shahs and provides one insider's view of historic events in the oil boom years. The bardic writing style used is a delight to read and proves the prowess of the authors in story telling.

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Summary: In a world of spin doctors, we have a met a master spinner.
Review: Iran remains an enigma to most of the Western world. The hostage crisis of 1979-1980 was caused by Iranians who had distorted views of America. In this book, we have not only an insiders view of Iran but also an Iranian's view of the British and American attempts to make something of Iran which was alien to Iran's culture and people. As in most subjective histories, and this is as subjective as they come, there is a certain amount of "spin". At least in this masterpiece, we can enjoy the work of a master spinner, Manucher Farmanfarmanian.

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Summary: An Aristocrats View of Life in the Imperial Iran
Review: The author was a previleged and lucky child as he was born into a rich family in Iran and got all the usual perks that came with it. His memoirs regarding historical events in Iran are extremely subjective and the author has not bothered at all even to show a pretense of objectivity. This is not a book for a reader seeking historical knowledge about Iran but it is valuable for a more knowledgable reader to see the how life in Shah's Iran looked from the vantage view of a high official of that regime. For the knowledgable reader who actually knows what was life in Imperial Iran was like, the author provides a clear example of the total ignorance of ruling elite about the internal situation of Iran. The book also gives a clear indication of the "inferiority complex" that had inflicted the Iranian ruling elite where they had total disdain for Iranians and considered everything Western superior.

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Summary: Reads like a thriller plus its fabulously informative
Review: The cover of this book was a little intimidating--It looked to be a dryly academic men's book. What a wonderful surprise lies waiting inside. I could not put it down. It is a thrilling read and very informative.

Even this opinionated woman was taken with the eloquent narrative, the compelling story and impressed by the honesty of the author.

A GREAT READ

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Summary: Should be read by people living in the "Western Hemisphere."
Review: This book although slanted with respect to Manucher Farmanfarmaian's family and particularly his father is a must read for people who have been taught and only know a western perspective of history as it relates to the Middle East and specifically Iran. Not only does it help to humanize the reader's attitude towards Iran, it also helps Eurocentrists (which most Americans tend to be) to understand why and how Iran was taken over by an extreme part of the Islamic fundamentalist religion. Manucher helps the reader understand how OPEC came into existence and how Ecuador played a major role in the eventual creation of OPEC. Manucher also explains the attitude Iran had toward England vis-a-vis Germany during World War II and why they actually initially hoped Germany would win the war--not because they loved Hitler or hated Jews, but because they wanted England out of their country where they were controlling the bulk of the oil in Iran. These sentiments exist all over the world by most non-Europeans towards England and now exist towards the United States more than most policymakers in the United States seem to understand. We need to step back and take a look at how we are resented and why. The problems that presently exist in the Middle East are a creation of policies we (US and Europe) began and now are being taken advantage of by religious fanatics who are preying on the resentment the common people have towards the United States. This book is an eye-opener and should definitely be read by "westeners." Even if Eurocentrists don't change their attitude towards this part of the world, it will help them to understand that part of the world.

Rating:
Summary: The Prince of Storytelling
Review: Where, oh post-modern America, are you going to find a true tale of royalty and restoration like this? Nowhere, but from the prince himself, Manucher Farman-Farmaian, who sweeps us up in luxuriant confidentiality, whisking us on a gallop through a forgotten era, Shiites and communists hot on our trail.
So he was less than streetwise as dissent gathered like storm clouds. I wanted to see the glory that was Iran--not the darkness descending on it. I wanted to meet the inner sanctum of the Pahlavi dynasty and the relics of Farmaian's own kingly clan. Moreso, I wanted to know that this likable bon vivant escaped the senseless butchery of Khomenei's hoodlums and hangers-on. And when he does, I feel as if we've both escaped. Captivatingly written. I'd read whatever this wise man had to share, about the new life or the old.