Shah of Shahs is not, and is not meant to be, a history of the Iranian revolution. It is a short book which approaches the Iranian revolution from a particular angle. Kapuscinski, while a journalist, has an ability to report on events in a way that is entertaining to read and focuses on the implications for the people involved and affected. While his account of the events in Iran is no doubt coloured by his own views, is far from comprehensive and I understand from other reviews may even be misleading and/or inaccurate in parts, this book is a light, interesting read and successfully provides a valuable insight into the causes of revolutions and their aftermaths generally, not only Islamic ones or other anti-Western ones. As political turmoil in various regions of the world has taken place over the past several years, I feel I have had a better understanding of the revolutionary dynamics as a result of having read Shah of Shahs. Read more

I enjoyed the style of writing associated with this novel. A personal touch that reflected the fear of living under a dictatorship that was eventually overthrown by an Islamic Council which in itself proved to be just as bad. Worth reading Read more

Muy interesante este libro. Habla de la historia del Sha en Irán. Puede ser un poco complicado el vocabulario en la versión en inglés en algunas partes pero es útil para hacerse una idea de como fue ese tiempo. Read more

Livre qui devrait être republié en français. L'auteur revient sur l'histoire de la dynastie Pahlavi et montre que le régime portait en lui les germes de la révolution de 1979 : pouvoir arbitraire et fondé sur la violence (passages hallucinants sur la SAVAK), pouvoir corrompu qui, avec le boom pétrolier, génère une classe parasite de petro-bourgeois, et pouvoir fantoche et surarmé sous le contrôle des Américains. Le peuple iranien ne pouvait que se tourner ver les mollahs et respirer l'air de liberté dans les mosquées. Comme bien des dictatures, la question n'est pas de savoir pourquoi elle est tombée, mais de comprendre comment elle a pu tenir aussi longtemps. Read more

Great book. Don't expect a thorough analysis or interviews with the shah and other people in Iran. For the time in which it was written it is insightful, well written but written as a journalist does on his off days. A news type feel without censors and pithy lines. A quick and must read for all those who want to understand Iran. Read more