All the Shah's Men

An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

By: Stephen Kinzer

Narrated by: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Yen

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Half a century ago, the United States overthrew the democratically elected prime minister of Iran, Mohammad Mossadegh, whose "crime" was nationalizing the country's oil industry.

In a cloak-and-dagger story of spies, saboteurs, and secret agents, Kinzer reveals the involvement of Eisenhower, Churchill, Kermit Roosevelt, and the CIA in Operation Ajax, which restored Mohammad Reza Shah to power. Reza imposed a tyranny that ultimately sparked the Islamic Revolution of 1979 which, in turn, inspired fundamentalists throughout the Muslim world, including the Taliban and terrorists who thrived under its protection.

"It is not far-fetched", Kinzer asserts, "to draw a line from Operation Ajax through the Shah's repressive regime and the Islamic Revolution to the fireballs that engulfed the World Trade Center in New York."

©2003 Stephen Kinzer (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Breezy storytelling and diligent research.... This stands as a textbook lesson in how not to conduct foreign policy." (Publishers Weekly)

"With a keen journalistic eye, and with a novelist's pen....a very gripping read." (The New York Times)

"Kinzer's brilliant reconstruction of the Iranian coup is made even more fascinating by the fact that it is true. It is as gripping as a thriller, and also tells much about why the United States is involved today in places like Afgahanistan and Iraq." (Gore Vidal)

Great insights into Iran's 20th century history

This book makes it clear that we (the US) have often given up our principles for expediency. In the case of Iran, we have not just supported a dictator, we have actually destroyed a democracy to put our man in power. Our excuse: We were paranoid about the Soviet Union. When it comes to the Middle East, our foreign policy has been a disaster and it all started with Iran.

Business Ethics From the Muzzel of a Gun

Would you consider the audio edition of All the Shah's Men to be better than the print version?

For me, audible books are the best. I cannot imagine flipping pages on this, even digital pages.

What did you like best about this story?

I had no idea that we, the Americans, turned out to be stooges for the Brits. Real life lies and spies.

Which character – as performed by Michael Prichard – was your favorite?

Kermit Roosevelt by far. He practically did it by himself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I had trouble taking breaks.

Any additional comments?

This book really opened my eyes to why the Iranians dislike - hate - us so much. It is also something we will have to live with for a very long time.

Great history book of Iran

It covers the 1953 era very well with many facts and how it had a deep impact on Iran till recent. I learned a lot.

Great & timely read, but I'll avoid the reader

All the reviews laud the content, so let me submit my one gripe: the reader. I had to force myself to continue listening past the monotone and pedantic characteristics of the reader. I will actively avoid this reader from now on.

Wow, a great (and useful) read!

Kinzer tells a fascinating story that grabs your attention while providing detailed information about a historical topic that is still very salient today.

After finishing this book, one can't help but be fascinated by the fact that the US and British role in squelching Iranian democracy and installing their own puppet ruler is not more widely known. This book was very enlightening in helping me understand an important part of Iranian history; and one which still has a significant impact on middle east policy today. I found the level of detail and quality of storytelling superb.

Great insight into US/Iran relationship

Great documentary, and a must hear/read for all those interested in understanding the US/Iran relationship. The US hostage crisis was always a puzzle for me until I read this book. It also gives an great insight into the history of Iran. Excellent narration.

great book

excellent listen, chapter 2 provides an excellent history of the shia faith. the first few chapters of the book provide an excellent history of Iran, and the author does a fantastic job of weaving the history of iran with the formation of the anglo-persian oil company, the rise and fall of mohammed mossadegh, and the islamic revolution of 1979.

Very informative

A very informative and "readable" account of an important and overlooked episode in world history.

As far as style, the author uses a lot of interesting detail to breathe life into the historic account so that it is anything but dry.

As far as content, I think that this book serves to remind Americans (including myself) that our country's cold war policies were often anti-democratic and had long-term consequences that we are still feeling this day. Whether or not one believes that they were justified at the time, it is important to read histories such as these to understand the repercussions of these policies - in this case, our extremely problematic relationship with Iran today.

All the Shah's Men

A fascinating history of modern Iran and the background that led to today's problems. Well-written and very interesting.

read this

excellent relevant book, should be standard reading, well worth the time, consider reading a history of Iran first