America and Iran

A History, 1720 to the Present

By: John Ghazvinian

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

A New York Times Notable Book of the Year

A hugely ambitious, “delightfully readable, genuinely informative” portrait (The New York Times) of the two-centuries-long entwined histories of Iran and America - two powers who were once allies and now adversaries - by an admired historian and former journalist.

In this rich, fascinating history, John Ghazvinian traces the complex story of the relations between these two nations back to the Persian Empire of the 18th century - the subject of great admiration by Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams - and an America seen by Iranians as an ideal to emulate for their own government.

Drawing on years of archival research both in the United States and Iran - including access to Iranian government archives rarely available to Western scholars - the Iranian-born, Oxford-educated historian leads us through the four seasons of US-Iran relations: the spring of mutual fascination; the summer of early interactions; the autumn of close strategic ties; and the long, dark winter of mutual hatred. Ghazvinian makes clear where, how, and when it all went wrong. America and Iran shows why two countries that once had such heartfelt admiration for each other became such committed enemies - and why it didn’t have to turn out this way.

©2020 John Ghazvinian (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"An expert on Iran delineates the massive rift between the erstwhile 'closest of allies' ... relevant, highly elucidating ... an evenhanded, revelatory narrative in which the author avoids muddying the waters with an overtly political agenda. An excellent single-volume history of a fraught international relationship." (Kirkus starred review)

"Ghazvinian describes in exquisite detail the relationship between Iran and the United States - from its inception in the years before the American Revolution to the present day. Beautifully laid out and at time reading like a thriller you don't want to put down ... Ghazvinian deftly shows us when, where, and why things went (and still do go) wrong. If ever the question 'why do they hate us' arises in the Iranian context, just read this book." (Hooman Majd, author of The Ayatollah Begs to Differ)

Insightful, unbiased and perspective shifting

It’s almost the first time an unbiased narrative of Iran-US decades of conflict is finally out. I loved how the author went all the way back to the origins of the first interactions and how it eventually got to today’s chaos. What a complex and dis functional relationship! A must read for anyone who cares about politics or what reality may look like outside of mainstream news.

fantastic

Amazingly well written and informative, on an issue most Americans have forgotten. The book helps illustrate how and why we should try to move forward together, once more.

Enlightening

I learned so much from this book. Bring born and raised American, I was taught the US are the “good guys” and believed the messages put forth by the federal government and media. As always, there are at least two sides to every story and agendas for each storyteller. This telling begins the mind opening needed in addressing the future relations between Iran and the US.

Great balance to the traditionally American perspective of Iran.

The author provides a very different perspective on American-Iranian relations and challenges long held ideas.

The last chapters were more like NIAC publications

His book covers a very important subject and a must read for all Americans as well as Iranians. I enjoyed it mostly but the last part of the book really reminded me of Iranian government lobby in the US who works around the sanctions for the benefit of the individuals rather than Iranian people.

Excellent history

I am an American married to a Persian born woman. We have been married 25 years and I am familiar with all of the angles that her relatives presented. However, this comprehensive history really left me feeling like I understand the history of it wrong. I felt like the author maintained objectivity, as much as I would like to believe that America wasn’t such a bad actor on so many occasions.

Comprehensive analysis of US Iranian history

This was a great book. The narration was clear and the subject matter handled with reasoned and balanced analysis.

The US missed many opportunities to resolve the standoff with Iran over the years as the book makes clear. Many of these opportunities over the last few decades are the result of American foreign policy being scripted in Israel rather than in Washington. It is an unfortunate fact that our Congress is merely a lap dog to the Israeli lobby.

This book is worth the time to read and contemplate. The author did a great job and presents a viewpoint that is seldom acknowledged in the general press.

amazing, a MUST read!

Narration was excellent, and the story was remarkable. Bought it for my whole family to read.

Truly a detailed analysis of complex subject.

It makes one believe that we all have an obligation to understand the responsibility that we and our representative governments have toward diplomacy to bring people of different cultures to work together. The peace of the world depends on our common interest and not on continuing the mutual distrust that has been part of recent history. We need always open to our shared interests and mutual needs. Look for similarities and reconcile our differences with mutual respect. This book brings this point front and center with governments that are responsible to there electorate. Those who are in power that make decisions that only seek to protect their shortsightedness to stay in power do the most damage to the office that they have the privilege to hold for all prosperity. I have a complete change of my previously held point of view with regard of our government’s handling of foreign affairs in the Middle East. We need more direct engagement not less with our regional partners and adversaries. Iran has always been more like the US than any country in the Middle East than even the most hawkish elements on both sides would care to admit. Don’t let another 40 years of tragedy continue with such a shortsightedness that dominates our minds. The people of both countries are the ones to suffer not the politicians or the ones in power. I personally had the experience to fly over the country in 2006-2009 while employed as a commercial airline pilot. I was amazed at the beautiful landscape and realized that the hopes and aspirations of the people below were no different than me.

Outstanding telling of a complex history

This book is a masterclass in translating scholarly historical work into a history that is accessible to a broader audience. Not only was the story really compelling told, but I found myself repeatedly stopping to jot down notes of US-Iranian events that I was not aware of but had important implications.

The narrator of the book also did an excellent job.