The Ayatollah Begs to Differ : The Paradox of Modern Iran

From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. In this critical but affectionate portrait of Iranian politics and culture, Majd, the Western-educated grandson of an ayatollah, delves into the very core of Iranian society, closely examining social mores and Farsi phrases to identify the Persian sensibility, which, Majd determines, cherishes privacy, praise and poetry. Nothing is too small or too sweeping for Majd to consider, and although he announces his allegiance to the former president Khatami, he remains scrupulously even-handed in assessing his successor Ahmadinejad, shedding light on the Iranian president's obsession with the Holocaust and penchant for windbreakers and why the two are (surprisingly) intertwined. The author's brisk, conversational prose is appealing; his book reads as if he is chatting with a smart friend, while strolling around Tehran, engaged in ta'arouf (an exaggerated form of self-deprecation key to understanding Persian society). Although Majd seems to gloss too quickly over realities that don't engage his interest—women's voices are only intermittently included—this failing scarcely mars this remarkable ride through what is often uncharted territory. (Oct.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Review Praise for _The Ayatollah Begs to Differ _ “In this delightful book, Hooman Majd, a gifted storyteller, takes us on a tour of his own private Persia, which is also the Iran of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The results are illuminating, humorous, sobering, and ultimately reassuring.” —Jon Lee Anderson, author of The Fall of Baghdad “Hooman Majd is a stylish and engaging guide through the by-ways of Iranian life. Leading us from seminary to opium den to the presidential compound, his wry sense of humor makes this book a pleasure to read.” —Gary Sick, Ph.D., senior research scholar at Columbia University and member of the National Security Council staff under Presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan “A witty, timely perspective on the nation posing the greatest challenge to our next President.” —Bill White, mayor of Houston and U.S. secretary of energy under President Clinton A revealing look at Iran by an American journalist with an insider's access behind Persian wallsThe grandson of an eminent ayatollah and the son of an Iranian diplomat, now an American citizen, Hooman Majd is, in a way, both 100 percent Iranian and 100 percent American, combining an insider's knowledge of how Iran works with a remarkable ability to explain its history and its quirks to Western readers. In The Ayatollah Begs to Differ, he paints a portrait of a country that is fiercely proud of its Persian heritage, mystified by its outsider status, and scornful of the idea that the United States can dictate how it should interact with the community of nations.With wit, style, and an unusual ability to get past the typical sound bite on Iran, Majd reveals the paradoxes inherent in the Iranian character which have baffled Americans for more than thirty years. Meeting with sartorially challenged government officials in the presidential palace; smoking opium with an addicted cleric, his family, and friends; drinking fine whiskey at parties in fashionable North Tehran; and gingerly self-flagellating in a celebration of Ashura, Majd takes readers on a rare tour of Iran and shares insights shaped by his complex heritage. He considers Iran as a Muslim country, as a Shiite country, and, perhaps above all, as a Persian one. Majd shows that as Shiites marked by an inferiority complex, and Persians marked by a superiority complex, Iranians are fiercely devoted to protecting their rights, a factor that has contributed to their intransigence over their nuclear programs. He points to the importance of the Persian view of privacy, arguing that the stability of the current regime owes much to the freedom Iranians have to behave as they wish behind "Persian walls." And with wry affection, Majd describes the Persian concept of ta'arouf, an exaggerated form of polite self-deprecation that may explain some of Iranian President Ahmadinejad's more bizarre public moments. With unforgettable portraits of Iranians, from government figures to women cab drivers to reform-minded Ayatollahs, Majd brings to life a country that is deeply religious yet highly cosmopolitan, authoritarian yet with democratic and reformist traditions--an Iran that is a more nuanced nemesis to the United States than it is typically portrayed to be.

a los Angeles Times And economist Best Book Of The Yearwith A New Prefacethe Grandson Of An Eminent Ayatollah And The Son Of An Iranian Diplomat, Journalist Hooman Majd Is Uniquely Qualified To Explain Contemporary Iran's Complex And Misunderstood Culture To Western Readers.the Ayatollah Begs To Differ Provides An Intimate Look At A Paradoxical Country That Is Both Deeply Religious And Highly Cosmopolitan, Authoritarian Yet Informed By A History Of Democratic And Reformist Traditions. Majd Offers An Insightful Tour Of Iranian Culture, Introducing Fascinating Characters From All Walks Of Life, Including Zealous Government Officials, Tough Female Cab Drivers, And Open-minded, Reformist Ayatollahs. It's An Iran That Will Surprise Readers And Challenge Western Stereotypes.in His New Preface, Majd Discusses The Iranian Mood During And After The June 2009 Presidential Election Which Set Off The Largest Street Protests Since The Revolution That Brought The Ayatollahs To Power.

publishers Weekly

in This Critical But Affectionate Portrait Of Iranian Politics And Culture, Majd, The Western-educated Grandson Of An Ayatollah, Delves Into The Very Core Of Iranian Society, Closely Examining Social Mores And Farsi Phrases To Identify The Persian Sensibility, Which, Majd Determines, Cherishes Privacy, Praise And Poetry. Nothing Is Too Small Or Too Sweeping For Majd To Consider, And Although He Announces His Allegiance To The Former President Khatami, He Remains Scrupulously Even-handed In Assessing His Successor Ahmadinejad, Shedding Light On The Iranian President's Obsession With The Holocaust And Penchant For Windbreakers And Why The Two Are (surprisingly) Intertwined. The Author's Brisk, Conversational Prose Is Appealing; His Book Reads As If He Is Chatting With A Smart Friend, While Strolling Around Tehran, Engaged In ta'arouf(an Exaggerated Form Of Self-deprecation Key To Understanding Persian Society). Although Majd Seems To Gloss Too Quickly Over Realities That Don't Engage His Interest-women's Voices Are Only Intermittently Included-this Failing Scarcely Mars This Remarkable Ride Through What Is Often Uncharted Territory. (oct.)

copyright © Reed Business Information, A Division Of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A revealing look at Iran by an American journalist with an insiders access behind Persian walls The grandson of an eminent ayatollah and the son of an Iranian diplomat, now an American citizen, Hooman Majd is, in a way, both 100 percent Iranian and 100 percent American, combining an insiders knowledge of how Iran works with a remarkable ability to explain its history and its quirks to Western readers. In The Ayatollah Begs to Differ, he paints a portrait of a country that is fiercely proud of its Persian heritage, mystified by its outsider status, and scornful of the idea that the United States can dictate how it should interact with the community of nations. With wit, style, and an unusual ability to get past the typical sound bite on Iran, Majd reveals the paradoxes inherent in the Iranian character which have baffled Americans for more than thirty years. Meeting with sartorially challenged government officials in the presidential palace; smoking opium with an addicted cleric, his family, and friends; drinking fine whiskey at parties in fashionable North Tehran; and gingerly self-flagellating in a celebration of Ashura, Majd takes readers on a rare tour of Iran and shares insights shaped by his complex heritage. He considers Iran as a Muslim country, as a Shiite country, and, perhaps above all, as a Persian one. Majd shows that as Shiites marked by an inferiority complex, and Persians marked by a superiority complex, Iranians are fiercely devoted to protecting their rights, a factor that has contributed to their intransigence over their nuclear programs. He points to the importance of the Persian view of privacy, arguing that the stability of the current regime owes much to the freedom Iranians have to behave as they wish behind Persian walls. And with wry affection, Majd describes the Persian concept of taarouf, an exaggerated form of polite self-deprecation that may explain some of Iranian President Ahmadinejads more bizarre public moments. With unforgettable portraits of Iranians, from government figures to women cab drivers to reform-minded Ayatollahs, Majd brings to life a country that is deeply religious yet highly cosmopolitan, authoritarian yet with democratic and reformist traditionsan Iran that is a more nuanced nemesis to the United States than it is typically portrayed to be. Including a new preface that discusses the Iranian mood during and after the June 2009 presidential election and subsequent protests, this is an intimate look at a paradoxical country from a uniquely qualified journalist. The grandson of an eminent ayatollah and the son of an Iranian diplomat, Hooman Majd offers perspective on Iran's complex and misunderstood culture through an insightful tour of Iranian culture, introducing fascinating characters from all walks of life, including zealous government officials, tough female cab drivers, and open-minded, reformist ayatollahs. It's an Iran that will surprise readers and challenge Western stereotypes. A Los Angeles Times and Economist Best Book of the Year With a New Preface The son of an Iranian diplomat and the grandson of an ayatollah grew up in exile, yet he also remained closely attached to his homeland. Majd's reports on his travels throughout Iran try to explain the economic, political, and social forces that lie at its heart, and to show the paradoxes of the Iranian character that have baffled Americans Introduction 1. Persian cats 2. The Ayatollah has a cold 3. If it's Tuesday, this must be Qom 4. Pride and humility 5. Victory of blood over the sword 6. Pairidaeza: the Persian garden 7. The Ayatollah begs to differ 8. Fear of a black turban Notes Index.