Iran Books

I have to admit, this may not be the most practical cookbook out there. It does feature some tough-to-find ingredients (such as "barberries," "Persian lime powder", etc.), and there are a lot of kebab type recipes that call for grilling - not the most practical for a busy weeknight cook. Some of the recipes here will require a commitment of time. However, that said, there are also many recipes here that are not too complicated, and a lot of very unique and exciting dishes: truly a culinary adventure. The "Khoresh" chapter is especially exciting to me - one pot meals that use exciting flavor combinations like dried or fresh fruits with meat and vegetables, reminiscent of the Moroccan tagine. If you're on a budget, there are also several ground-meat and egg dishes here, which are easy on the wallet. This book includes a huge number of recipes, all courses and with meat, poultry, fish, and protein-rich vegetarian options. The photographs are the most amazing I have ever seen in a cookbook. This is a very high quality book, and worth the bit more it may cost than other cookbooks. If you are interested in exotic flavor combinations and either willing to skip the ones with hard-to-find ingredients or track them down on the internet, this book will bring you much pleasure to both browse through and cook from.

If you can get the ingredients--and these days there are Arab/Persian food stores in most cities--you will not go wrong with this book. It's totally authentic food, cooked the way they cook at home in Iran. Persian food, if you happen not to have tried it, is unusual--pomegranates, compotes of greens, meat and fruits in same dish, pistachios, saffron and rose water --but always delicious and kind to the stomach. Beautifully set out, clear instructions, mouth-watering photos. Highly recommended both as cookbook and as guide to a vital part of Persian culture (they take their cuisine very seriously, and rightly so!)

Original recipes in this book are not only colorful but very tasty. Iranians sure know how to cook a meal. It's nice to see someone take such pride and effort in compiling a book as varied, complete, and beautiful as this one.

This book is written by the same author of "Persian Cooking for a Healthy Kitchen", and shares with this one the simple way in description of different recipes. This book has a more wide content of dishes, a chapter devoted to ceremonies and a lot of pictures, many with food and many devoted to Persian culture. It is not generally known that Persian Cooking was and is rather modern, previewing rules for a balanced diet, there are foods hot and cold and they cannot be mixed indifferently. It is a world to discover and this book gives a good help.

This is a wonderful book, not just as a cookbook but as a guide to some of the traditions of the Persian Culture. The pictures are beautiful and the recipes simple to follow. A must have for any household.

A well written book that captures the reader by the details of an ordinary life for two different classes of Iranians before the Islamic gov. With much honesty, the writer shares many details of being a young girl and experiencing life in two different societies, the religious and the modern.With the existing differences among these two societies however they share and value the same traditions of the role of a woman, her powerlessness in her family as well as in the society. The woman's role is defined by the surrounding male figures regardless of family backgrounds such as religion, education, wealth, ...

For me, the most interesting thing about Rachlin's very interesting memoir was the incredible strength she showed in forging a life for herself that was so different from the culture she was born into in Iran and for which she had very little or no family support. It is a very personal tale of courage. Rachlin was given to an aunt to raise shortly after her birth and then wrenchingly, for both Rachlin and her aunt, taken away from her when she was about 8. I suspect it was this horrible experience that later gave Rachlin the courage to leave her family to attend college on a scholarship in the United States and to live an independent, solitary and self-sufficient existence in the United States for awhile before she met her husband.

If I am at all disappointed with this book it is because of the emphasis Rachlin places on arranged marriages as the cause of unhappiness in women in the culture she was born into. Rachlin's sister was in an abusive arranged marriage as were other women in her family. I know some couples who are in very happy arranged marriages and I know a lot of women who are very unhappy in marriages of their own making. The divorce rate in the United States certainly attests to that.

No, I would not have liked my life and/or marriage determined for me. And I value the ability to chart my own course. But Rachlin goes too far I believe when she seemingly equates arranged marriages with unhappiness and abuse.

But overwhelmingly, this is a very interesting, and although somewhat sad, nonetheless a charming book.

Very interesting to learn about the Iranian culture from an author who is unafraid. I felt her writing portrayed her pain as well as her strength. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Particularly in the current political climate, I was hoping that this book would provide a fascinating look into a culture that is, at best, underrepresented in mainstream English language books and, at worst, criticized, discriminated against, and even hated; the fact that the author is a woman made it all the more enticing as I simply can't read enough of how my fellow women live, survive, and thrive in other cultures.

PERSIAN GIRLS delivers on all accounts and has made me want to learn more not only about this intriguing woman--cappuccino is on me if you're ever in southern Italy Ms Rachlin!--but also about Iranian history and culture in general.

From Rachlin's difficult childhood with a mother who didn't seem to want her and a father who wanted only control to her struggle for independence and acceptance in America, PERSIAN GIRLS places the reader in the very heart and mind of the author as she rises to each successive challenge placed before her.

From the time Rachlin was taken from the only mother she knew, I found myself cheering her on-a credit to an outstanding opening scene that transports the reader to 1950s Iran amidst a prayer rug, a Koran, rose water, a paraffin lamp, and hot summer nights spent talking about a golden ladder descending from the sky.

And yet Rachlin's writing style isn't nostalgic or wistful. She presents her life with such an objective tone sometimes that I forgot she was telling her own life story--and this is not a criticism. To the contrary, I felt like what I was reading was a true, fair account of events, and knowing that I'm able to trust the author is so very important.

At times, however, I did feel that there was just a bit held back regarding the working through of her feelings in some of her relationships, particularly the most difficult ones; the fact that some family members are still alive surely had something to do with this, but overall I don't find that this guardedness distracts from the memoir. Rachlin gives plenty of clues into her personality to provide the reader with a sense of what the author might've been feeling, and I don't think there's anything wrong with a little mystery in any book, even a memoir.

On another level, Rachlin's expat status in America really spoke to me, and I'm sure to plenty of other expats as well--the feeling of being caught between two cultures, two languages, two ways of life. On whether she regretted her choice to go to America, in a subsequent interview, Rachlin said:

I have never really regretted my choice to come to America, pursue my own goals. But I am always aware of a loss, a price to pay for the independence I have gained. I don't have easy access and closeness to people I love, because of all the distance between us.

Indeed I wouldn't mind another memoir (or even a how-to!) from Rachlin on her marriage to an American and raising her daughter in a country that is a sometimes enemy of her own. I look forward to reading Rachlin's fiction as well.

I wholeheartedly recommend this memoir to anyone with an interest in women's history, cultural differences, the Middle East, family relationships, love, or, you know, life.

This review originally appeared on my blog here: [...]

The front cover of Persian Girls: A Memoir by Nahib Rachlin has a quote from a Boston Globe reviewer saying that the "memoir reads like a novel", which I felt was very accurate. Nahib has provided us with a peek into her world, spanning over fifty years, and immersing us in the culture of Iran and her family.
Nahib pulls us quickly into her world, showing us her split childhood - life with her adopted mother for her first 9 years, and then life with her birth family. Nahib's birth mother, Mohtaram, was very fertile, she agreed to give a child to her sister, Maryam. It was when Nahib turned 9 that she was considered "of age", able to legally marry, and that is when her father came to get her. When her father took her from her adopted mother, Nahib lost an attentive mother, she gained a sister and confidante.

Nahib's relationship with her older sister Pari is incredibly moving. Both girls loved American movies and the idea of new freedoms for women. I look at my daughters, and hope for them to continue their close relationship - one like what Nahib and Pari had. There were many times as I was reading Persian Girls that I wished I was reading a novel, and that the author could guarantee me a happy ending for everyone involved. The relationship between Nahib and Pari was so intense, and yet fraught with obstacles. Their middle sister, Manijeh, was their mother's favorite, and the obvious favoritism made for a lot of rivalry between them. As time passes, and physical distances between them increase, the bonds between them change and strengthen.

The Iranian Government and its changing laws cast a shadow over the lives of Nahib and her family. Every choice they make has to take the laws and social mores into account. Nahib's brothers go to college in the US, which is seen as a very modern thing to do. However, her two older sisters are married traditionally - in arranged marriages. While all families worry about appearances, in Nahib's father seemed to worry even more than usual. His job as a lawyer seemed tied to how his family is perceived, and he must balance the traditional and the modern.

Parts of Persian Girls feel like a mystery, and one that cannot be solved. Without an omniscient narrator, we only know what Nahib has experienced or discovered. I wish I could see into the heads of many of the characters, but there is an intimate feeling reading one person's memories, one person's truth.

Nahib states at one point in Persian Girls that she feels like she doesn't belong in either culture. I know that feeling is common among many ex-patriots, but I have to wonder if the problems in US-Iranian relationships made her transition more difficult. I found myself identifying so much with Nahid, finding many universal truths within her words, no matter your background.

I highly recommend Persian Girls to anyone who enjoys memoirs and non-fiction, as well as to anyone who enjoys women's fiction or literary fiction - it really is a memoir that reads like a novel. It pulls you in, with vivid imagery of Nahid Rachlin's world. Watch out, though, once you start it you won't be able to put it down easily! I look forward to reading Nahid Rachlin's other books.

Zainab Salbi's life seems idyllic, but even as a child she senses the tension felt by her wealthy parents as they entertain and are entertained by Saddam. Salbi's story shows two sides of Saddam: the cruel and abusive despot and the genial manipulator. In spite of the web Saddam spins around her family, Salbi experiences adolescent rebellion, ignorant of the danger her parents see threatening her, just as it threatened her mother and eventually ruins her parents' marriage. Salbi's story is a fascinating portrayal of a family living in luxury under tyranny and the dangers faced whether the choice is to endure or to escape.

There was not one moment during this book that I wasn't totally captivated. The author puts a human face on the struggle of those in Iraq who lived under Saddam Hussein. And throughout, you are constantly reminded that she was among the "fortunate" by comparison. I found it to be an excellent education in the history of the country and the evolution of it in recent decades as well. I read this book on a recent camping trip in New England when I should have been mesmerized by my surroundings. Instead, I found I could not put this book down.

Short and sweet.. This is an awesome book. You see so many sides of Suddam. His dark side certainly made him a candidate for his execution!

it took a while to get here, but it was in good condition when it did.

Wow! This book knocked me out. I could NOT put it down. It really helped me understand some of the conflict within Iraq, but more importantly, the author and tone of this book is just very human, real, and accessible. As a youngster, and for all of her formative years, Saddam Hussein is in the background as a family "friend". Though her parents resisted his friendship, they found it more and more dangerous not to be his friend. It's like living with the devil! However, the author eventually gets out of Iraq and away from Saddam Hussien, due to an arranged marriage. I won't say how that goes as I don't want to ruin the ending.

I do feel that this is one of the absolute BEST memoires I ever read and it was written with a lof of grace and humility. For me, it was an important book, and I highly recommend you read it. I think it will become a classic memoire.

A very comprehensive description of Iranian arms, Iranian history and processes used to create Damascus steel. I found the history described to be as fascinating as the more technical aspects. Extensive pictures illustrate and complement the text. While this is certainly an academic volume, I found the text to flow and easy to read.

I am not the bigest collector, neither I have the most complete library on arms and armor. But the book of Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani is trully outstanding !
Everyone knows "similar" books which are available on the market today. Some of them have very nice pictures and short description of the pictured items. Unfortunatelly some other books have only nice pictures and "fairy tales" about the pictured items.
"Arms & Armor from Iran" is many PARASANGES forward in comparison with any other book writen on this subject. Is a great work which impresses not only collectors and people who have knowledge about the subject, but also any simple and occasional reader who 'll hold the book in his hands for a short time.The perfection of Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani's work, shows not only the high level of his scientific knowledge on arms and armor of his home country, but also his pure love to them !
In few words, it can be the "BIBLE" or "QURAN" of any serious or amateur collector !
Congratulations to Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani ! We are looking forward his next book !

Epimenidis Platsidakis
Gunmaker
Hania Crete, Greece.
email: fineguns@otenet.gr

What a work of art!! I consider this book to as precious and valuable as the masterpieces Mr. Khorasani did so much research on to write this book.

This is HANDS-DOWN THE BEST BOOK EVER (EVER) written on Iranian (or Middle Eastern) arms and armor. I would go as far as to say that this is one of the best books written on the subject of arms and armor.

Look, this book weights over 10 lbs. It consumed over 8 years of the Authors' life to gather and organize all the information in this book, and this book has a lot of information. Very important information. A lot of whats in this book is RARE information. Its amazing, so much of the information in this has never even been written in English before. So, much detail... I know without a hesitation that much of info was translated from Farsi and Arabic.

There is nothing like this book. Details are given, not only about the weapons and armor, but also about how it was worn and used. I really love how the Author put this together. There is so much detail about the conduct a warrior should have, how they lived there life, and the etiquette in which a man should carry himself and his sword. Mr. Khorasani, even includes Omar Khayyam's chapter on swords, from his book noruz-nameh, as well as many other important people. It has taught a lot about my heritage. So, much so, that I am even teaching my family about our heritage. I learned that swords and swordsmanship go deep in my veins. My ancestors were even called men of the sword by the Persians. I have been studying Japanese swordsmanship for about 5 years, and my father would always ask me why. I never had a good reply, until I got this book. Now he never asks anymore. Javanmardi, is the way which I try to live my life. This book has really changed me as a Persian and as a Martial artist. I carry the same pride around now as the Sassanian warriors or Ayyer did. Pride in my weapons. Pride in my skills. Pride in my long wavy hair.

If you are reading these reviews to decided if you should buy this book or if you are into arms and armor. BUY IT!! You can't go wrong. I bought this book the 1st week it was published last year, and its still in perfect condition. So, while it is a big book; it can still take some damage. I carried my copy around for the first 3 months i got it. The price on this book will only scare you for a minute. Once you actually see and feel this book, you won't regret it. I'm sure of that.

Thank you Mr Khorasani for the dedication and sacrifices you have made to to write this book. Its a real gem. You should be proud of yourself, for a job well done. I think what you have done and what this book, really, represents is something very special. Thanks again!

Noruzeh moborak!!

Jahun Moayedzadeh

Prior to ordering this publication, I read all the other reviews so there was already a built-up expectation of excellence in what I was to discover when the book arrived. I can unequivocally, that not only did the reputation prove correct, but in every way, the book still exceeded what I was to expect! The text is extremely detailed, the images fantastic, the construction of the book is of the finest quality. For most subject matters, one must build a large reference libary of many publications to give you the volume of information this one book provides. The price is steep but when you consider that it really is several books in one, it still proves to be a bargain. I think it would have been reasonable to publish this massive publication in multiple volumes which the buyer would then have to purchase individually and the sum of the prices would easily equal or surpass this publication's price.

The author was highly privileged in accomplishing the impossible in his access to most of the artifacts he fully displays from Iranian military museum collections closed to the general public. This book opens the door, for the first time, to enjoyment and study of rare ancient weapons and armor that have never been seen before by the vast majority of the world.

The mere publication of this book is quite an accomplishment unto itself. Everyone who appreciates arms and armor of the ancient world should include this book in their library.

Let me start my humble review of the book entitled "Arms and Armor from Iran" by Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani with the only absolutely negative remark I have in relation to this book. In computer-related terminology, this is not a laptop, it is not even a desktop - this is something more of a database - both in its size and the amount of information it carries - the latter, of course is a positive notion. Seriously, this book is humongous! What I would love to see is it being divided into two, with all these marvelous illustrations assembled in volume 2, carefully preserved for only the friends who wash their hands before touching this book. Also, put on my "wish list": a CD-ROM based on this book. I cannot imagine a single person interested in history, science and the art of arms who wouldn't want to have it.

Now, back to the book. I turn the page and see the excursus into the Iranian history and am surprised at first - why would I want to refresh my memory in history? And only when being almost half way through the book I suddenly realize that this excursus actually prepared me to the forthcoming chapters! Okay, spending my young years in Armenia, while studying towards my M.S. degree I was literally "around the corner" from Iran and read a lot about the country's rich heritage - but what about those whose standard is a McDonalds' ad claiming that Belgium is a city in Germany? I guess - no, I actually hope that people who grab this book with both their hands do have some basic knowledge of history, and at least some understanding of Persian to know that the word "shamshir" translates to English as "sword" and not "saber". Needless to say that this short history of Iran so wisely and properly placed in the beginning of the book, helps explain how and why such advanced metallurgy developed in this part of the world and how it led to the development of superior arms so beautifully crafted.

I allow myself to respectfully skip the Bronze Age and jump right into the crucible steel period as it has intrigued me for as long as I can remember.

The very beginning of the chapter on crucible steel may not appeal to the conservative-thinking stubborn opponents who are overwhelmed with the theory saying that the name "Damascus steel" refers to a crucible watered steel that was uniquely produced in the city of Damascus by local smiths, and this steel's unique qualities and appeal were attributed to the unique, Vanadium and Molybdenum enriched ore from the mount of Damascus - too bad we cannot check it since the mount was apparently dug down to the ground by the smiths in their quest for this miraculous ore. As for me, I am more convinced by the theory presented in this book - specifically, that the city of Damascus was a huge market place for merchants whose roads crossed in this city. In this case, Damascus was obviously a "supermarket" for many customers from around the world in search of outstanding Persian blades and good blades from India.

The author continuous by quoting and analyzing Dr. Feuerbach's research - for which fact I think many of us should be particularly grateful to Dr. Khorasani since not all of us have access to the most interesting Ph.D. dissertation on crucible steel by Dr. Feuerbach (I believe it still can be ordered from the author on CD-ROM). I do not completely agree with the theory of watered crucible steel being necessarily of a dendritic structure as other structural formations are possible and may cause similar to dendritic "watering" and qualities. Also structural analysis of old blades is somewhat challenged by the elements' migration in the steel over the time.

Dr. Khorasani then brings to our attention a detailed description of the method of making watered crucible steel as it was recorded by Massalski from the words of the smiths in Bukhara - a truly interesting historical piece which leaves us wondering: if it is described in such detail, why was it never reproduced by followers? Of course, when taking a closer look it is obvious that with all this use of silver, different types of steel, precise construction and meticulous timing - it is more reminiscent of the work of an alchemist than a metallurgist - besides, few centuries before Massalski, smiths were not that technologically advanced and yet were able to produce superb quality watered crucible steel. The author then takes us to methods used in India. Although it is mentioned that the wootz-made blade must hold the edge well and be strong, hard yet flexible, it is well-documented that many wootz ingots (cakes) are extremely brittle - as well as many wootz-made blades. The Russian Army Lieutenant (Poruchik) Maksimov, the acknowledged authority on edged weapons who spent a lot of time at the Zlatoust Arms Factory, wrote an article on the blade selection ("How to determine qualities of the edged weapons", February 8, 1857) in which he strongly advised a buyer who is not experienced in watered (personally, I prefer the term "patterned") crucible steel to buy a regular blade. He reports on being an eyewitness (1846) of the wootz-made blade made by a reputable smith (and extremely expensive) being broken into many pieces by just a gentle flat-hit against a wooden surface of a table! This particular saber was attributed (according to Maksimov) to the "famous Turkish master" and belonged to the Maksimov's friend, son of Shamkhal Tarkovsky who served in His Imperial Majesty Personal Convoy. Now, can we really imagine anybody watching for his blade not to turn flat against the enemy's blade during the battle?!

At last, the author brings us to the Iranian (Persian) watered crucible steel. With numerous sources cited, the author clearly shows the superiority of the Persian watered crucible steel and points us to the centers of its manufacturing.

Finally, we read about pattern-welded Damascus which I am personally not that fascinated with. The author then employs multiple sources to tell us about various and multiple inscriptions that appear on the swords from Persia/Iran.

I am turning the next page - and my breath is taken away by multiple examples of the patterns - although still in black-and-white (I am looking at what I call Volume 1, leaving the rich in colors Volume 2 for the later enjoyment), but regardless of that very impressive. We then see many examples of various blade marks and styles and shapes of shamshirs, some of which look like curved flamboyant swords (the author calls them "serrated"). The blades' inscriptions linked to known smiths' names - and the author refers to the recognized authorities when describing them.

What also grabbed my attention was the chapter dedicated to Persian straight swords which according to the author played a significant role in the history of Iranian arms (a fact I was largely overlooking prior to reading this book!).

Not less attention is given in this book to short-blade weapons such as the qame, khanjar, kard, pishqabz etc.

It is difficult to really stop when reviewing such a high quality book - and I did not cover even half of it! I must put myself into order here and give my overall impression of the book. In short, this book is an unprecedented effort by the author who was given access to many collections that were never before seen by the public. This book however is not just a catalog - it is a thorough analysis of numerous samples of arms and armors that are documented, described with high precision and presented in the highest quality photographs (I again raise my voice in a demand for this book on CD-ROM where one can zoom even closer to some pictures, forgetting about delicious dinner, family duties etc.).

I can clearly see - when comparing Dr. Khorasani's book with other sources (although there is not a single one of the same or even close caliber, both in the number of described items and in the depth and breadth of analysis) that the author's hypotheses are not always following the commonly accepted ones. Therefore, I would not be surprised to see some give this book a "raised eyebrow" - especially from certain respected opponents limited in their access to historical items and to original language sources. I salute Dr. Khorosani for his effort and for bringing to our attention the history, art, and science of Iranian arms and armor.

I purchased this book as a Christmas gift. Received the book on time. It has several pictures of the crew. Looking through the book, I started reading, read through the first chapter. It was very good. Had to make myself quit reading though because its kinda rude to read a book when its a gift for someone else. Will have to borrow the book back to continue reading or order myself a copy.

a story of courage and survival that proves that truth isstanger than fiction. these men were true patriots. the author was able to bring them and their plight alive and real for the reader.

This is not a book made great by the writing. Rather, this book is great because the author didn't get in the way of this epic story. No US submarine sunk more enemy tonnage than the Tang and whether any US sub sunk as many enemy ships is debatable. Dick O'Kane, the Tang's skipper, literally jumps out of the pages as America's foremost sub warrior. Anyone uncertain about what it means to be aggressive, go into harm's way and do all one can to serve one's country will find answers in this book.

This is a very good book that tells a great story. It is engrossing and draws the reader in from the beginning by painting a compelling portrait of the USS Tang in general and of the U.S. Submarine service specifically. They are portrayed as the miracle workers of their age.

Still the book comes up short in several areas. We don't learn as much about the Tang's patrols before the final patrol. If we learned more about the other patrol the book would have been much more compelling. We are also rushed through the crew's time in the POW camps in Japan. These do a disservice to what could be an amazing book. But rest assured, the book is very much worth the read!

As the son of a career sailor who served on submarines (USS Baya, SS-318, USS Menhaden, SS-377, and USS Segundo, SS-398) from the late 40's until his retirement in 1963, some of my earliest memories are of going to work with him and eating ice cream in the galley when the sub was in port. I also attended several dependents day cruises on the Menhaden and loved and respected the crew.

With that background when I saw Escape from the Deep by Alex Kershaw and realized what the book was about I had to read it. Life on a diesel electric boat was truly hardship duty. Though the crews ate well, they still managed to lose weight while on patrol, a fact that says it all about the stress under which they served.

The history of the USS Tang can't be matched by many other submarines in the PTO. Her skipper, Dick O'Kane was considered to be one of the best submarine skippers around, and his list of successes can't be matched by many of his contemporaries. It was on a war patrol that the Tang experienced one of submariner's greatest fears; a run-a-way torpedo that circled back and struck the submarine a death blow. Only nine of the crew managed to escape. They were picked up and finished the war as POW's of the Japanese.

Alex Kershaw's telling of the story of the USS Tang is an historical account of one of America's most successful submarines, with one of America's best trained crews, led by one of Americas best skippers. Having read the Bedford Boys I was already familiar with Kershaw's attention to detail in his storytelling and the quality of his research. However, he surpasses himself with Escape from the Deep.

Dramatic, suspenseful, and emotionally charged, Escape from the Deep is a must read for anyone interested in the war in the Pacific and with submarine warfare specifically.

American submariners suffered the highest casualty rate of any military specialty in WWII. Fully 25% of serving crews were lost while on patrol. Escape from the Deep is an excellent statement about the submariner's courage and sacrifice.

I highly recommend.

Peace always

My Brother-in-law was on the Roberts when she hit the mine. The story was well written and is a fascinating example of what men can do when properly trained, motivated and well led.

I believe the author does a good job of relaying the type of atmosphere that persisted on this ship from it's construction through deployment. My only critical point would be he doesn't spend enough time with the common sailors' point of view.

I also found it interesting that he covers Operation Praying Mantis. I was unaware that this was declassified.

All in all, nicely done and an informative and gripping account of one of the forgotten chapters of our continued presence in the gulf.

The shopping experience was great with Amazon. The book that I ordered was shipped and had gotten delivered in the amount of time that I had expected and what I needed it for.

I am very impressed by No Higher Honor. It is interesting, well written, and an engaging read. No Higher Honor is an overdue tribute to a group of heroes that deserves to be remembered.

Anyone interested in naval history should read this book. I heartily recommend it.

I am a librarian at a Navy library and a patron recommended this book for purchase as a management book. It is the most exciting, well written and gripping management book you will ever read. It is a tale of heroism, competence and pride.

The first management lesson you will learn is that instilling pride in your workers will get you very far. Captain Paul Rinn worked on this from the day he learned the not yet built guided missile frigate was to be named the Samuel B. Roberts. He researched the first two ships with the same name and the sailor it was named after. He made sure the pre-commissioning crew knew all the history instilling pride in their ship as she was being built.

The second is even non-glamorous jobs are important, sometimes the most important. I suspect that not too many people go into the Navy with the idea of being the best damage control officer in the service. Rinn knew the importance of damage control and had his men trained, drilled and equipped to the best of his and his officer's abilities. He wanted them to be good at all tasks on the ship and gave them the appropriate training and encouragement.

Above being a book about leadership, it is also a gripping tale. The first lines of the book describing the initial spotting of the mines that were to damage the frigate are as gripping as any in any novel about the sea. It also brings into remembrance a dangerous time in our planet's history with Iran, Iraq and the US face to face in the Persian Gulf.

The author's style is both journalistic and literary, making the book a good read.

I was there and this book captured the entire ordeal as well as it could be captured. Bradley did a wonderful and thorough job collecting data and memories. I now know far more about the whole incident than I knew when it happened. I'm grateful that our story got told, but more grateful that it was told so well.

I am best described as a 9/10 moron. To be blunt, the horrific events of the following day completely stunned me. I had no idea that the threat of Islamic nihilism was that serious. Yes, there might be a few terrorists running around---but our police agencies presumably had things mostly under control. Sadly, few knew that the ideological virus of political correctness had severely limited their effectiveness. Amir Taheri wrote this book in 1985. He reveals the Ayatollah Khomeini as something of a con man who clearly despised the values of Western Civilization. Instituting democracy in Iran was the furthest thing from his mind. The Ayatollah considered women to be second class citizens and a hard line interpretation of Islam was to dominate Iran. Lying was deemed totally acceptable if it accomplished these goals. Non-Muslims were considered to be scum of the Earth not deserving of the truth. The religious fanatic Ayatollah Khomeini, as had Adolph Hitler some 30-40 years earlier, played the useful idiots of the West and Iran for fools. These "elites" seemingly enjoyed being deceived, and the religious totalitarian tyrant was more then happy to oblige. Khomeini also did not hesitate to stab them in back once he gained power. Many of them were among the first to be slaughtered.

The Shah of Iran was not a paragon of liberal democratic values. He admittedly needed to be gently shoved to the side. Unfortunately, the Iranians jumped from the proverbial frying pan into the flames. A cautious evolution of the political institutions was required---but instead Iran experienced a reactionary Islamic revolution. Is this book outdated? Not in the least. History is merely repeating itself. Amir Taheri's 22 year old work will help you to more fully understand today's harsh realities.

David Thomson
Flares into Darkness

As a reader of biographies, I have always been surprised by the ease with which most writers either fall in love with their subject or use their pens to demolish it.
Here is one biography in which the writer, an Iranian journalist, manages to stay strictly objective. This does not mean that the author has any sympathy with Khomeini's special brand of Islamic politics. He does not. If anything, Taheri is a Westernized Iranian who would feel more at home in a Western liberal democracy than in any Islamic republic. But , to his credit, he has managed to see the world throgh the eyes of Khomeini.
He shows how Khomeini, who became an orphan when his father was killed in a land dispute, nurtured his resentment into a blazing fire of hatred that many decades later produced a bloodbath in Iran.
Hatred was also the basic strcture of the system that Khomeini built: hatred of women, hatred of the educated, hatred of the rich, and hatred of anyone who looked and thought differently.
Those who wish to understand how religion can be used for the most murdrous of enterprises, had better read this book. The experience is sobering. It is also a good read. W.Vederer

When I first began in depth research and writing on the Middle East and Islam in 2000, there were few if any mentions anywhere on the Internet concerning Kitman, the Islamic religious practice of lying in order to advance the coming of the universal Islamic empire, and the ensuing Islamic vision of end times.

But Taheri, the secular editor-in-chief of Iran's leading Kayhan daily until he fled after Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's Islamic revolution, very candidly describes the tactic of deliberate duplicity on page 110 of this meticulous biography. He does so, moreover, in explaining Khomeini's personal deviousness as regarding some key religious figures during prior to and during the reign of the last Shah of Iran.

Khomeini, from at least as early as 1949, cultivated opposing religious leaders in his attempt to garner as much influence as possible.

Similarly, on page 174, Taheri describes the equivalent practice of taqieh (which he calls "dissimulation"), a tradition of lying "not only allowed but even recommended in Shi'ite tradition"--once again, to advance the interests of Islam while protecting its avid prosecutors.

In this context, Taheri also rightly explains that Iran was not an easy or willing target of Islam. Shi'ism, he reports, "is largely a product of the Safavid era (sixteenth and seventeenth centuries)." But it can be traced to Iran's 7th century conquest by Muslim Arabs, whom it took a difficult 15 years to suppress the "ramshackle empire the Sassanids had left behind." But even then, most Iranians "refused to become Muslims."

They agreed to convert only much later, after the Muslim oppressors had "succeeded in creating an organization capable of exacting jeziyah, the head tax for non-Muslims." Only then, when, poor Persian plateau peasants couldn't pay, were they forced to give their verbal "profession of faith"--as the only way to avoid both the tax, and the third, deadly and final alternative.

This book not only explains the devious and deadly designs of Khomeini, but also the intricacies of Islam's early weaknesses within the Persian environment, and the explanations for much of the political and religious mistrust of more recent centuries.

Also appearing here are many of the other key Shi'ite families, such as the Bani-Sadr's.

To be sure, there are some faults with this account, but on the whole, they are minor. Taheri is an honest scribe, whose involved biography gives an important, even critical, history of the country's current regime--complete with its numerous, murderous, and otherwise grotesque, warts.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

More than just a biography, this is the story of a people, the Iranian people who have experienced one of the darkest phases of their long history.
The book is based on extensive research and written in a language that is both liveley and erudite.
I recommend it to all those interested in biography, hisory and politics.
Amelia

This book is one of the best examples of the art of biography that I have come across in years.
The writer knows his subject deeply and is also gifted with a flowing prose that is easy to follow.
We learn of the ayatollah's sad childhood, when he was known as "badqadam" ( ill-omened) because his father had been killed in a brawl shortly after his birth.
Khomeini tried to pattern his life on that of Islam's Prophet Mohammad, who had also been an orphan.
Like Mohammad he was forced into exile.
And like Mohammad he returned home in triumph to found a new state.
But unlike Mohammad, who had shown mercy to his worst enemies, Khomeini decided to take revenge, often against innocent individuals whose only crime had been their position within the Iranian administration.
Khomeini seized power in an Iran that, though certainly not free and prosperous by WSestern standards, was the freest and mostpropserous of all Muslim countries. But when he died 10 years later, Iran was one of the poorest and most oppressed nations. By one estimate over 1.2 million Iranians died during Khomeini's reign, including those who fell in the eight-year long war against Iraq.
Khomeini is also the father of modern Islamic terrorirsm that later reached its worst manifestations in the Palestinian suicide-bombers and the Saudi- Egyptian Al Qaeda group.
This book is an absolute must by all those who wish to understand radical Islam and the threat that it poses, in diddferent forms, to the civilized world.
A.Keame, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The most amazing thing that about this book is that Arrian somehow managed to rescue the man from the legend, the god from the myth and the story from the soothsayers. He intended to write a factual history of the great leader but by necessity was forced to rely on word of mouth, old stories, past recollections and hardly any authoritative manuscripts.

Considering what he had to work with, the outcome is simply amazing. Like Thucydides, Herodotus and Livy, his goal was to write a factual work that was to have been definitive...and it was. The campaigns are given much attention as well as the character of Alexander. For a more scholarly and literary work I recommend Robin Lane Fox and his biography of Alexander - just stupendous.

This book is a PRIMARY SOURCE that is great for any student. An ancient work that has great deatails. It is actually interesting to read, even if you just use it for school. If you want more information on this book, feel free to e-mail me at Silvermouse51@aol.com. I will try to respond to your e-mail as soon as possible. Again, buy this book if you're doing a project on Alexander the Great! It's the absolute best you can ever buy!

Of all the books that I read of Alexander the Great, this book is my favourite in explaining the famous battles.It also explaines how he conquered the tribes from Persia up to Sogdiana.The battles of the Granicus,Issus,Gaugamela,and above all Tyre are incredibly narrated.The names are all there, who did what,and who did not.In the battle of Tyre, how much he had destroyed and how much he had to rebuild,never giving up.It explains all the problems that Alexander encountered with the Tyrians.
The death of Hephastion that made him lose his sanity,make you really feel what friendship meant to him. What this young man accomplished,and what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Conquer as long as there were places to conquer.
It also writes about the honest side of Alexander,and those who
were traitors how he treated them.All the spoils of war he gave away,only eternal fame was his.How he created cities,and how he was ahead of his time, in many ways.
Read it is a great book indeed.

The wierdest part of this history was the account in Indika of the island of cavemen that Nearchos ran into, and battled with his fleet...

"There was a lagoon at the mouths of the river, and the depressions near the bank were inhabited by natives in stifling cabins. These seeing the convoy sailing up were astounded, and lining along the shore stood ready to repel any who should attempt a landing. They carried thick spears, about six cubits long; these had no iron tip, but the same result was obtained by hardening the point with fire. They were in number about six hundred. Nearchus observed these evidently standing firm and drawn up in order, and ordered the ships to hold back within range, so that their missiles might reach the shore; for the natives' spears, which looked stalwart, were good for close fighting, but had no terrors against a volley. Then Nearchus took the lightest and lightest-armed troops, such as were also the best swimmers, and bade them swim off as soon as the word was given. Their orders were that, as soon as any swimmer found bottom, he should await his mate, and not attack the natives till they had their formation three deep; but then they were to raise their battle cry and charge at the double. On the word, those detailed for this service dived from the ships into the sea, and swam smartly, and took up their formation in orderly manner, and having made a phalanx, charged, raising, for their part, their battle cry to the God of War, and those on shipboard raised the cry along with them; and arrows and missiles from the engines were hurled against the natives. They, astounded at the flash of the armour, and the swiftness of the charge, and attacked by showers of arrows and missiles, half naked as they were, never stopped to resist but gave way. Some were killed in flight; others were captured; but some escaped into the hills. Those captured were hairy, not only their heads but the rest of their bodies; their nails were rather like beasts' claws; they used their nails (according to report) as if they were iron tools; with these they tore asunder their fishes, and even the less solid kinds of wood; everything else they cleft with sharp stones; for iron they did not possess. For clothing they wore skins of animals, some even the thick skins of the larger fishes."

Cavemen who dont at all use metal, but only stones and fingernails...they wear animal skins...but most importantly, bodies COVERED in hair? What?! I want to go search for this island.

I want to go look for this island, i know how wierd it is, but THIS paragraph caught my eye more than any other in this work.

PS:
Arrian's account of Alexander is the best ancient source, though he is a bit of an apologist for the actions of Alexander, so dont believe ALL that Arrian says. The guy though was an actual general, and he had fought and conquered, he was someone who had been through many of the same situations as Alexander as a governor and general, so he DOES know what he is talking about.
Great work...

Alexander the Great was already a historical figure and "larger than life" character by the time Arrian wrote his CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER. More than 400 years had passed since Alexander's death and, while there was doubtless plenty of popular lore about him, there also was a considerable mass of written source material in existence. Much of this material came from contemporaries who had campaigned with Alexander, but these accounts apparently often conflicted. Forced to pick and choose from all this information, Arrian appears to have relied largely on Ptolemy and Aristobulus. Ptolemy was experienced in military matters and, as one of Alexander's generals, had participated in many of the operations he described. Arrian brings his own knowledge and experience of military and administrative matters to bear on this information with generally good results. The rap on Arrian is that he displays a sound grasp of Alexander's military exploits and of his character, but is too forgiving when it comes to Alexander's faults and glosses over other issues.

Arrian brought a wealth of experience to his task. His own personal accomplishments were considerable. A Greek by descent, he was born in the city of Nicomedia, capital of the Roman province of Bithynia, sometime prior to A.D. 90. His family was prosperous and had attained Roman citizenship, giving young Arrian the possibility of a career in the imperial service. Before he was done, he attained the Roman consulship and was subsequently entrusted by Emperor Hadrian with the governorship of Cappadocia, a border province on the eastern frontier that entailed the command of two Roman legions plus auxiliary troops. During this period he led a successful campaign to drive an invading tribe out of Armenia, sailed all the way around the Black Sea, and wrote accounts of these events as well as manuals on military tactics. After Hadrian's death, Arrian retired to Athens, where he rose to become chief magistrate and, later, a Member of the Council of the city. He also continued to write until his death sometime between A.D. 173 and A.D. 180.

Besides THE CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER, Arrian authored many other works. A few survive, but most are now lost, as are the many sources available to Arrian from Ptolemy, Aristobulus, Nearchus and others. All that remains from those who actually knew Alexander is in the form of quotes and citations in the works of later historians like Arrian. It's a sad fact that, while a few histories written by ancient scholars such as Livy, Plutarch, Arrian and others have survived, the great bulk of ancient literature and source material is gone. In an age when scribes had to copy books by hand, there could never be more than a few dozen copies of any book in existence. Under such conditions, it is hard to exaggerate the magnitude of historical disasters ranging from the destruction of the great library at Alexandria to the sack of Constantinople. A survivor like this is a rare opportunity to share the observations of an intelligent and accomplished person from a very different age.

THE CAMPAIGNS OF ALEXANDER is an important piece of the modern world's understanding of Alexander the Great. We're extremely fortunate it has survived. More than that, though, this is a lively and fascinating book that any reader can enjoy. If you have any interest in Alexander, or in ancient history in general, read this book.

The Iran-Contra era. From start to finish, it was as though it was yesterday. James "Scotty" Scott timelessly elevates the era to a new level of intrigue, weaving politics and secret conspiracies across continents, bringing them through decades to a thrilling conclusion. One of the better suspense novels and authors I've read, actually exceeding the writings of more popular writers of intrigue and mystery today. You never know where truth leaves off and fiction enters in, which makes it a great and relevant read today - even as the era it exposes. Put this book and author at the top of your list! Scotty, I understand you have another in the wings. Bring it on!

Don Carmichael, Author, Warriors of Peace

Well, I have just added another person to my list of must read auhtors. This is definitel my kind of book to read! Loaded with intrigue, thrills and action galore! Mr. Scott has written a real winner here and I highly recommend that others take it up as well!

This book should come with a seatbelt. You will be holding on as the action races ahead, hoping you can last longer than some of the characters. Scott, a retired Army officer, served during the period this action takes place. While a work of fiction, his knowledge of places and events makes it all seem plausible and exciting. It is very fast paced,and just when readers think they might have it all figured out, bang, there's a new twist. If your bookshelf is filled with international intrigue and adventure, then you will want to add this one.

I have never read a book twice - until I got my hands on this masterfully written book. Not only could I not put it down the first time, but the second time was the same. I was so amazed at the multi-dimensional plots presented by James Scott during the first read that I did not fully absorb the vivid description of characters and locations. It was obvious that Scott "had been there" in all of the locations provided as backdrops to the story line. Also evident was his deep understanding of the human mind and its motivators. Greed, lust, and the role of power propel the reader in a breathless page-turning experience. I don't know which I look forward to the most - the movie version or the next Scott novel.

I purchased the book when I met the author, Mr. Scott (who promised me I'd like the story) as we talked at the Ft McPherson Mini-Mall. I must admit I was not disappointed. As a civil servant who works with military and civilians, I've seen some of the same types of characters reflected in the story. Mr. Scott captures their ambition mixed with greed which leads to this wonderful web of spiders and flies. Having been a Northern Virginia resident for many years, I found myself running through the streets of Crystal City and Alexandria along with lead character Ed Holloway who tries desparately to keep his weakneses in check while setting record straight. The Iran-Contradictions is certainly on par with products by Dan Brown or Robert Ludlum. I liked it so much I chose it a my selection for my book club members to read. A great debut Mr. Scott.

As I am serving in the Air Force in the Middle East, I found Mr. Martin's book to be quite timely and an interesting mix of personal accounts and additional history to make it a joy to read and own!

I heard Lou MArtin speak about his book "Wings Over Persia" at the Vette theater in the EAA Air museum on July 31, 2005. After his interesting lecture, I bought his book and read it in two days. It was difficult to put down! It's an exciting book about his life of flying in Iran during the 1978 revolution, and provides a much better understanding of the weird philosophy of the Middle East.
It's a clean book with no profanity or F words, a refreshing change. I recommend it to readers of all ages.

Lou was definitely not bright enough to survive in Persia. His life was saved only by the most fortuitous grace of God. One would think that after a few hints, even an idiot would have bailed country. Fortunately for Lou and us, he has survived to tell a pretty informative tale that gives keen insight on the time of the overthrow of the Shah and transition of Persia to the hard line Islamic state of Iran.

If Lou reads this, please drop me a line samdurbin@yahoo.com.
Sam

Several weeks ago I rode my bike to the local airport to see why there were so many planes suddenly flying around the small community that I live in, and once there I found that there was a fly-in. Now, I'm not very knowledgeable about aircraft but I have had a life long fascination with aircraft of any sort. I enjoyed walking around inspecting aircraft of various kinds and being mesmerized by some formation flying, but couldn't get answers to some of my questions, especially those having to do with WWII (which were the ones performing low level fly-byes, and higher level formation flying).

Eventually I worked my way over to the hangar where breakfast was being served by the local Boy Scout troupe. Right outside the hangar was a small table with a display of pictures and several books on it, and a man sitting there with aviator style sunglasses on engaged in discussion with another gentleman. As I looked at the display I couldn't help but overhear some of the aviation stories he was telling, and became enthralled with not only the information I was hearing but the manner in which it was being conveyed.

After some time I got into a discussion with Mr. Martin about some of the aircraft that I had seen that day. He answered all of my questions and cleared up those that most intriqued me (the WWII aircraft were T-6 trainers, an aircraft that he had experience with). He then began telling me stories about his adventures as a pilot in an Iranian air taxi company during the last days of the Shah's government and the revolution that brought the Ayatollah to power.

To say that I was hooked on his storytelling is an understatement. I really had no intention of buying the book when I first saw it, but my subsequent conversation with Mr. Martin convinced me that I couldn't pass up this opportunity to delve deeper into his experiences during such an important period in world history. Sitting in front of me was someone with vast experience in aviation who had first hand knowledge of some incredible events that still affect our world today.

Mr. Martin's writing is crisp in its detail and weaves some historical background information to flesh out his stories so that the reader has a better grasp of not only the flavor of the times but of a society and people we Americans (and most Westerners I would imagine) are likely to be unaware of. Not only was I entertained but I learned an awful lot.

Wings Over Persia captivated me from cover to cover, keeping me on the edge of my seat with stories that alternated between high drama, humor, and suspense. Sometimes people who can tell a great story fail miserably when they commit them to paper. Not so in this case. Lou Martin is a storyteller/writer par excellance. It was a lucky day for me when I met him and now I have this jewell of a book to relive some of his fascinating escapades.

This book is suitable for any reader, young or old, as there is no unacceptable language for parents to worry about - just great stories that kids will love and older people will appreciate. It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of young readers will be inspired to persue a career in aviation due to this book.

If you're interested in flying, cockpit humor, and insight into some of the behavior and thinking in the Middle East, you must read "Wings over Persia." It is both informative and highly entertaining. I give it two thumbs up.