Rating: 
Summary: A beautifully written account of a misunderstood country.
Review: Afshin Molavi has done a great service for all those interested in Iran, be it culturally or politically. He weaves his way poetically through 2500 years of Iranian history, along the way telling the many stories of contemporary Iran, much different from the account you will get in the US media. I found myself deeply moved in some sections while other sections made me laugh out loud. For anyone who has ever visited or lived in Iran, whether before the revolution or after, and for anyone with an interest in Iran, the Middle East, or travel writing, I highly highly recomend this book. It is among the very best I've read of its kind.
Rating: 
Summary: An useful introduction to the culture of a people
Review: Afshin Molavi has successfully introduced a missing piece to the book market . His book provides a good answer to the repeatedly asked questions: Where is Iran? Who are Iranians? What did they do before the Revolution?
These are the questions asked before the Televisin sets by millions of people witnessing the angry protesting crowds, the blindfolded hostages and the rows upon rows of graveyards shwoing the fallen in the Iran Iraq war. Millions of Iranians who after the 1979 Revolution have become scattered all around the world also face these questions.
Unlike the Irish, The Scotts, or for thet matter Lebanese and Greeks, Iranians have not been an immigrating nation through the course of the history and therefore have not felt the need to produce introductory literature of any variety. Their history has been told first in the Bible and then by the Greeks and the Romans and later by the Arabs and Ottomans. Except for the Bible, the latter historians have not always been kind to them. Afshin Molavi, although exteremly briefly, has tried to provide answers and to put a personal touch to the history of a nation who has always been at the crossroads of the history, changed her name from Persia to Iran and has left her impression on the world affairs.
Persian Pilgrimages has an easy and soft narrative attempting to reveal deeper realities. I reccomend it to those who wish to know more about life outside their own sphere.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!!!
Review: Afshin Molavi has written a passionate account of his native land, Iran. A must read by Iranians and foreigners alike, as Mr. Molavi invites the reader on a journey through Iranian lands and its turbulent history. Distinct from other anecdotal accounts of Iran, Mr. Molavi, who is clearly touched by Iran's tragic history and people's unending resilience, brings a unique personal flavor that is often missing in a foreigner's tale. His sensitivity and eloquence is evident in this flowing narrative. Again, a must read by all.
Rating:
Summary: A profound look into Iran and Iranians
Review: Afshin Molavi is very insightful for his young age. This is a wonderful book taking a glance at almost everything that makes Iran what it is. He not only explains about the history of every place he goes, but relates it to the people of Iran and how it effects them. It's very well written and rather easy to read. I would recommend it as a must read for any Iranian and person who is interested in Iran.
Rating: 
Summary: good but...
Review: As an Iranologist I am disappointed. Molavi gives a nice & detailed account of his travels, and of the present unhappy situation in this ancient and culturally rich country; but his discussion of Iranian history is, at times, flawed. For instance, while discussing the phenomenon of the Farsi alphabet he writes: "Iran accepted the Arabic alphabet because it proved to be manifestly superior to its own 'cuneiform'.(p 55)" Farsi (Arabic) alphabet did not replace 'cuneiform', it replaced 'ham-dabirih' script (a script that had evolved in Iran -- also known as Pahlavi) which was not in any way inferior to Arabic script. Cuneiform was a script employed by the Achaemenids on the inscriptions, it was not used by the pre-Islamic Iranians. This book, so far as 'historical research' is concerned, lacks better editing.
Rating:
Summary: good but...
Review: As an Iranologist I am disappointed. Molavi gives a nice & detailed account of his travels, and of the present unhappy situation in this ancient and culturally rich country; but his discussion of Iranian history is, at times, flawed. For instance, while discussing the phenomenon of the Farsi alphabet he writes: "Iran accepted the Arabic alphabet because it proved to be manifestly superior to its own 'cuneiform'.(p 55)" Farsi (Arabic) alphabet did not replace 'cuneiform', it replaced 'ham-dabirih' script (a script that had evolved in Iran -- also known as Pahlavi) which was not in any way inferior to Arabic script. Cuneiform was a script employed by the Achaemenids on the inscriptions, it was not used by the pre-Islamic Iranians. This book, so far as 'historical research' is concerned, lacks better editing.
Rating:
Summary: What to Learn from the Past.
Review: First I heard Afshin on NPR's interview, and right then I recognized how well he knew his subject and how well he could articulate his analytical points (social & political). I appreciated this book in a significant and personal way. Away from Iran, one can connect the dots and understand that culture little by little. When you are too close to something you miss the big picture and all one sees is haziness and confussion. As I learn about my past history I feel few puzzles are left about my confussion. I, for one, never learned to read between the lines, perhaps I was too young and naive at the time. I do appreciate Afshin's writing since his book didn't require me to read between the lines. I enjoyed his book, I felt whole range of feelings while reading it, appreciated the depth of his coverage, and his analytical prowess. His book takes no side, and tells it like it is (an advantage of not growing up in Iran, a guess on my part). I am thankful for his work, and thankful that he safely made it back (one never knows who is a zeal/thug until it's too late.)
Rating:
Summary: Superbly written, profound and insightful.
Review: For those considering books on Iran, I can say with utmost sincerity that having read nearly every book on Iran this past decade--from Sandra Mackey to Sciolino to Robin Wright to Bahrampour, etc--that Afshin Molavi's book takes top prize. This is not to take anything away from the others--they were all finely written and had their own value and charm. Persian Pilgrimages, is however, in a class by itself. It combines a broad survey of Iranian history as well as the most accurate account I've read on the happenings in contemporary Iran. Molavi's prose is very eloquent, he combines great writing with a great sense of humor as well as sense of humanity. I highly recommend this book. It is truly an intimate encounter with one of the world's most fascinating countries and cultures.
Rating:
Summary: Butt -kick the editor
Review: I found this book very informative as I had planned a trip to Iran until the Bam disaster happened. As a non muslim I found the descriptions of life ,politics and religion and the synergy of the 3 (if synergy is the right word)intriguing. The book certainly helps me to understand this whole ME business a little better.However :WHAT SLOPPY WRITING!!!!! THe author s editors let him down badly.The numerous repetitions of insights and episodes , grammatical errors and spelling mistakes diminished my pleasure considerably and led to my low rating of an otherwise valuable addition to my library.
Rating:
Summary: Butt -kick the editor
Review: I found this book very informative as I had planned a trip to Iran until the Bam disaster happened. As a non muslim I found the descriptions of life ,politics and religion and the synergy of the 3 (if synergy is the right word)intriguing. The book certainly helps me to understand this whole ME business a little better.However :WHAT SLOPPY WRITING!!!!! THe author s editors let him down badly.The numerous repetitions of insights and episodes , grammatical errors and spelling mistakes diminished my pleasure considerably and led to my low rating of an otherwise valuable addition to my library.
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