Ervand Abrahamian is the author of several books, including Tortured Confessions, Khomeinism, Iran Between Two Revolutions, and A History of Modern Iran. He is Distinguished Professor of Iranian and Middle Eastern History and Politics at the City University of New York. He lives in Brooklyn.
A Choice magazine Outstanding Academic Title selection
The CIA-sponsored coup in 1953 that deposed Muhammad Mossadeq,
Iran's popular prime minister, is often noted as a failure of
interventionist foreign policy. In this slim, readable volume, Iran
scholar Abrahamian (A History of Modern Iran) delves into the
genesis and aftermath of that operation, challenging the idea that
Mossadeq's intransigence made the putsch inevitable. Making
extensive use of recently declassified diplomatic cables and the
archives of multinational oil companiesespecially the
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, now BPthe author makes the case that
the U.K. and the U.S., unwilling to back down over the hard issue
of nationalization [of the oil industry]... were the main stumbling
blocks’ in the relationship between Iran and the West. . . . his
primer skillfully weaves together primary sources to tell an
engaging tale of the machinations, intrigues, and personalities at
the heart of the crisis.”
Publishers Weekly
"Abrahamian has done for Iran what de Tocqueville did for
France."
Edward Mortimer, author of Faith and Power: The Politics of Islam,
on Ervand Abrahamian’s A History of Modern Iran
"A relevant, readable study of the foreign-engineered 1953 Iranian
coup reminds us of the cause that won’t go away: oil."
Kirkus
"In this thorough, wellresearched work, Abrahamian (Iranian &
Middle Eastern history & politics, CUNY) breaks down the generally
accepted understanding of the details behind the 1953 CIArun coup
that ousted Iran’s prime minister, Muhammad Mossadeq, and supported
the shah. The author reveals some of the primary motivations behind
the current Iranian hostility toward the United States and other
Western governments. Through his welldocumented research,
Abrahamian paints a picture of the coup in the context of British
and U.S. oil interests, contrasting these motivations with the
desire to curb the spread of Soviet influences. In his examination
of information recently made available from the British Foreign
Office, the U.S. Department of State, the AngloIranian Oil Company
(now BP), and other government documents, Abrahamian pieces
together the intricacies of the relationships among these parties
and provides a sound argument for the control of oil resources as
the dominating issue behind the coup. VERDICT This latest research
from Abrahamian is a must read for anyone wanting a clearer
understanding of the history behind current U.S.Iranian relations.
Recommended for Middle Easthistory enthusiasts and specialists, as
well as those seeking a full understanding of current international
affairs."
Library Journal
In this thorough, well-researched work, Abrahamian (Iranian & Middle Eastern history & politics, CUNY) breaks down the generally accepted understanding of the details behind the 1953 CIA-run coup that ousted Iran's prime minister, Muhammad Mossadeq, and supported the shah. The author reveals some of the primary motivations behind the current Iranian hostility toward the United States and other Western governments. Through his well-documented research, Abrahamian paints a picture of the coup in the context of British and U.S. oil interests, contrasting these motivations with the desire to curb the spread of Soviet influences. In his examination of information recently made available from the British Foreign Office, the U.S. Department of State, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP), and other government documents, Abrahamian pieces together the intricacies of the relationships among these parties and provides a sound argument for the control of oil resources as the dominating issue behind the coup. VERDICT This latest research from Abrahamian is a must read for anyone wanting a clearer understanding of the history behind current U.S.-Iranian relations. Recommended for Middle East history-enthusiasts and specialists, as well as those seeking a full understanding of current international affairs.-Brenna Smeall, Bellevue, NE (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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