The Soul of Iran

Iran thundered onto the world stage in 1979 with an Islamic revolution that shook the world. Today that revolution has gone astray, a popular democracy movement boldly challenges authority, and young Iranians are more interested in moving to America than in chanting "Death to America." Afshin Molavi, born in Iran and fluent in Persian, traveled widely across his homeland, exploring the legacy of the Iranian revolution and probing the soul of Iran, a land with nearly three millennia of often-glorious history. Like a master Persian carpet maker, Molavi weaves together threads of rich historical insight, political analysis, cultural observation, and the daily realities of life in the Islamic republic to produce a colorful, intricate, and mesmerizing narrative. Originally published in hardcover under the title Persian Pilgrimages, this paperback edition is revised, with a new introduction and epilogue.

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.

"Molavi does have a sharp eye, and he saw much. Culturally fluent messengers like Molavi are invaluable." The Guardian; "Some of [Iran's] many paradoxes are explained in a clear and honest book. I liked his neutral, occasionally wry stance ... a fascinating picture of everyday life emerges." Sophie Campbell, The Daily Telegraph; "[Molavi has] an understanding of the hopes and fears, the joys and frustrations, of the many Iranians he introduces to us. As a result, [this book] provides us with a fascinating glimpse of Iran beyond the headlines." Anthony Sattin, The Sunday Times