Afshin Molavi
The Soul of Iran
A Nation's Struggle for Freedom
The truths about Iran—quite different
truths from versions put forward by
Washington, Tehran, and the media.
"DEATH TO AMERICA," the bearded student chants
as television cameras roll; when the cameras leave, the
student accosts Afshin Molavi: "I hear you have come
from America! How can I get a green card?" This is
Iran, the culmination of 2,600 years of Persian history
and a nation of many realities.
Molavi, born in Iran and fluent in Farsi, traveled
his homeland for over a year, meeting with students of
the right and left, bazaar merchants, Islamic clerics,
pro-democracy writers, and kids hooked on anything
Western. All opened their hearts to Molavi, speaking
candidly about issues that matter to them: from
unemployment to the Internet, from the ruling clerics
to green cards.
"No book compares with [this one] to give a feel
for contemporary Iran. . . . Simultaneously engaging
and profoundly depressing."—Patrick Clawson, Middle
East Quarterly
to green cards.
"Culturally fluent messengers like Molavi are
invaluable, now more than ever."—Chris King, Washington
Post Book World
AFSHIN MOLAVI has a Ph.D. from Johns
Hopkins University, has reported on Iran for
Reuters and the Washington Post, and contributes
to many publications, including Foreign
Affairs. He lives in Washington, DC.
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