Rating: 
Summary: Timely read
Review: This book should be required reading for everyone in the State Department and anyone who has an opinion or influence on U.S. foreign policy. It would also enlighten a great deal of the American public.
Along with being a solid historical reference, it was just a great read. You really get a sense of the bravado and attitude of the players down to the most minute detail.
Rating: 
Summary: The day innocence died in Iran
Review: No one doubts that the events of August 1953 lead to and defined the character of the 1979 revolution. But let's not extend this to "middle east terror."As an investigative report on the CIA coup that overthrew the democratic government of Iran in the early fifties, this book deserves 5 stars. But bringing in the thesis that the '79 revolution catalyzed today's Mid-Eastern guerrilla and terror movements is stretching it. One could more convincingly point at the creation of the state of Israel and the '80s-'90s CIA/Saudi/Pakistani anti-Russian and later anti-Iranian adventures in Afghanistan as the cause of today's mess. August 19, 1953 was the day that innocence in Iran died. To me, this is the realy tragedy.
Rating: 
Summary: Short, easy, but rewarding read
Review: Even though I do not completely share the author's sentiments and am not even particularly interested in Iran, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the world we live in. Rarely have I learned so much about politics with so little effort. This book is short and easy to read, but very rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: Another CIA-coup causes 50 years plus of Trouble
Review: I couldn¡¯t understand the desire of a suicide bomber. But I was ignorant. This book is a great read. It's told fast and personally. The reader feels the author's genuine interest in the subject. What is sad is how little I knew about Iran or Western influence in Iran. This book is a must read for anybody like me that wants to know more of the background to today's political climate. The sections on the ancient history of Persia are particularly fascinating and told in a quick, clear way. As far as the connections between terror and the coup I think it's easy to see that the 50s, while marking the end of the British colonial era, established the US as a new Imperial power. This, is at the heart of every terrorist act. If you read this book you will come closer to understanding the fear of foreigner powers meddling with your country or the feeling that at any moment a missile can blast through your apartment window. Seems to me that most Americans, or Westerners, still have not grasped the fundamental realities of the psychology of terrorism. What dignity is there being killed by a satellite guided bomb? There¡¯s not even any personal interaction with the enemy. Of course there are going to be suicide bombers. People who have a history of suffering and place honor in death during rebellion will revolt. This is made clear. The strength of the book lies in the facts being pulled out in different themes. One reviewer said the book is poorly organized. This was an interesting review but I disagree. The book is organized thematically so things overlap but give the reader a richer idea of how one event affected another. I think Mr. Kizner has a firm grip on the difference in cultures, the lives of the people involved, both Asian and Western, and the resonance this event in history is having today.
Rating:
Summary: Place the Blame Where it Belongs...
Review: This book shows why Middle East is in the shape that it is now. Why we are suffering from lack of Democracy in that reigon. In details states how U.S. killed the very first ever people borned Democracy in Middle Eastand failed to let Iran be an example of ideal country in reigon. 50 years later now we are feeling tha pain...
Rating:
Summary: And we still try to put Iran together again...
Review: This extraordinary work recounts the history of a most sorry episode in American foreign policy indeed, and is quite simply, essential reading for all who would profess political sophistication in this day and age. Herein, in the starkest and clearest fashion, Kinzer exposes the back-room machinations of a coalition of the CIA, the British secret service and the Eisenhower Whitehouse as they conspired to overthrow the democratically elected government of Mossadegh's Iran. From the subsequent installation of the Shah as an American puppet, through the Islamic revolution, and right up to the crisis in the middle east of this very day, the reader will see the clear trajectory of history as it stems from this critical episode in time. Kinzer recounts this story with an ingenious narrative style, pulling the reader through the thicket of characters and potentially arcane details surrounding the events of the time, without the least resistance. In fact, by times, I found myself ripping along in the thick of his narrative much as I might find myself devouring a gripping Ludlum or LeCarre, and just as inevitably I would abruptly find myself back in the realization that this was in fact reality - a terrible chilling reality. The writer's method, not typical of the historical genre, is a most telling artifice - compelling stuff indeed. In a fashion, the rollicking story-telling nature of this book parallels nicely the way the central players, Kermit Roosevelt and his CIA cronies, clearly conceived of themselves. Their approach to their sordid task fell somewhere between John Wayne cowboyism and James Bond rakishness. The arrival of this book could not be more perfectly timed in the context of the political turmoil that has convulsed the region. Now more than at any other time, knowing this story is crucial. As such this uncommon book is quit simply essential reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Ignorance may be bliss when Iran is concerned
Review: While I respect Mr.Kinzer's points regarding the coup and Mossadegh, but once again comes another book that demonizes the Shah. Although he was not an ideal leader, why is it that the US condemned the Shah's SAVAK and human rights conditions when many countries in the West, as well as Turkey, have committed worse? Why does the US and other human rights organizations not fully condemn the Iranian government? It is frustrating to read another account by someone on the outside who had no insider's view of the real events. It is no woder that most Iranians believe in conspiracy theories that the US/Britain had a hand in establishing the Islamic government in Iran. It is a true tragedy.
Rating: 
Summary: Uncompelling writing, but a story worth telling
Review: To begin, chapter 1 of Kinzer's book is both poorly written and poorly placed. It details the actual coup itself, having provided almost no background. Background and development begin in ch. 2. Ch. 1 seems like a last minute attempt at a catchy "in medias res" beginning, and it almost turned me off from reading the rest of the book. If you plan to read the book, I suggest reading ch. 1 between chapters 10 and 11. Also, the epilogue is mostly superfluous. One could skip it without missing anything important. On the whole, Kinzer keeps up a good pace as he recounts the events of the 1953 coup. His writing style and organization are not captivating, but not bad either (at least after chapter 1). This is NOT a book to buy if you're truly looking into the "roots of Middle East terror." Kinzer's discussion of the coup's connection to current terrorism is short and unsatisfying. However, it is a worthy account of a significant event that too few Americans understand.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled,
Review: was convincing the world he didn't exist. This book haunts me. Here we are in an age where we're made to believe that the Evil ones are those terrorists against us. While I agree with the evils of terrorism, I can't help but notice the obviousness of anti-American and anti-British sentiments. Its like we've been bullying around the entire world for the sake of keeping 'Commies' at bay, and expect no blowback in return. I love my country and I love my government, and would never want to see it go. Instead, I want to see it get stronger in heart. We have a responsiblity to expose the truth, for the truth is the only thing standing between us and a better world.
Rating:
Summary: Oh Come On
Review: The display of ignorance and Shah apologists on this forum is simply appalling. And while many here are pointing out that Kinzer's hypothesis is oversimplification (Ajax-Islamic Revolution-WTC) it really isn't. Imagine a world where the Shah didn't have to be ousted by Khomeini and his followers. Imagine a world where Iran still held the United States in good graces. What exactly did we gain by this coup except the result of the first Islamic Republic, one that was fundamentally opposed to our interests in the region, and in many ways the way we live. Oh, and one more thing. They don't hate us for what we've done and merely who we are? What are you smoking my friend? Do you imagine that our intervention in their homeland is just something they can shrug off, whilst hating us indiscrimantely based on what borders we live inside? Jesus. Anyway. Good book.
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