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.
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran
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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. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
“Perhaps the best book yet written on the contradictions of contemporary Iran.... It captures like no book in recent memory the ethos of the country, in elegant and precise prose.” —Los Angeles Times
“Illuminating.... Captivating.... A discerning guide to a complex country.” —Christian Science Monitor
“Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the paradox that is Iran (as well as America) in the post-Bush world.” —GQ
“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. Travel writing often makes for easy reading at the expense of relevant information, which gets lost in the details. Not so with The Ayatollah Begs to Differ.”
—Bill White, mayor of Houston and U.S. secretary of energy under President Clinton
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Customer Reviews
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By Oliver
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ provides a brief and easy to read introduction to modern Iran. The author, Hooman Majd, grew up mainly in the West, but his family resides in Iran. He feels equally at home in both worlds. In this book, he tries to explain Iranian culture to Westerners, mostly through a series of stories about his own recent (post 2001) visits to Iran, along with little bits of history. The author clearly has no particular agenda. He simply relates his experiences. If (like me) you don't know much about Iran, this book makes a simple and relatively interesting introduction.
Format:Paperback
Having just read about half of the book, I must say it exceeded my expectations. The author is very intelligent, educated - both western and islamic - and can provide an insight not available through any other means, i.e. TV, news reports, and history books. He provides a window into a very complex, fascinating society, full of paradoxes, yet it all makes sense given the historical context. A must if you want to try to get below the surface!
The book is very readable, as it describes his visits to Iran, encounters with officials, etc. - basically navigating one's way through the Iranian jungle.
The book is very readable, as it describes his visits to Iran, encounters with officials, etc. - basically navigating one's way through the Iranian jungle.
By A. Daei
Format:Hardcover
As a LA raised Iranian in my late 20's I absolutely loved this book! I was not pleased with the memoir style of sub chapters but soon felt that it was really the best setup for the multitude of topics and areas of Iranian life and culture that the book covers. Even though I grow up with the constant reminder that I was Iranian and forced to maintain the minimum knowledge about my roots I came to find A LOT of new things that even my uncles who live in Iran didn't know about!
Hooman refreshingly takes the positive and EQUALLY true, not to say that all the negative is false, about what goes on in Iran and how people are. I was recently in Iran in March of 2010 and came to see first hand a few of the unseen/unheard of parts that the book talks about that my family had little or no knowledge of. Hooman's networks and experience with gov't leaders and officials gives him much credible explanation of how they really see what they are doing and want to do.
The book is well written and serves the western reader very very well!
Hooman refreshingly takes the positive and EQUALLY true, not to say that all the negative is false, about what goes on in Iran and how people are. I was recently in Iran in March of 2010 and came to see first hand a few of the unseen/unheard of parts that the book talks about that my family had little or no knowledge of. Hooman's networks and experience with gov't leaders and officials gives him much credible explanation of how they really see what they are doing and want to do.
The book is well written and serves the western reader very very well!
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3.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
fair and well written
This is an excellent and fair explanation of Iran in a way that can help westerners appreciate the complexity of Iran and her diaspora.
Published on Mar 15 2010 by Interfaith Friend
1.0 out of 5 stars
Iranian regime is a horrible and criminal entity
Iranian regime is a criminal entity and this book can not change their criminal image. This terrible book is yet another attempt by the Iranian regime to paint a rosie and calm... Read more
Published on Oct 1 2008 by Winston
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