Stephen Kinzer

This is the first full-length account of the CIA's coup d'etat in Iran in 1953—a covert operation whose consequences are still with us today. Written by a noted New York Times journalist, this book is based on documents about the coup (including some lengthy internal CIA reports) that have now been declassified. Stephen Kinzer's compelling narrative is at once a vital piece of history, a cautionary tale, and a real-life espionage thriller.

An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

All the Shah's Men

With a thrilling narrative that sheds much light on recent events, this national bestseller brings to life the 1953 CIA coup in Iran that ousted the country’s elected prime minister, ushered in a quarter-century of brutal rule under the Shah, and stimulated the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and anti-Americanism in the Middle East. Selected as one of the best books of the year by the Washington Post and The Economist, it now features a new preface by the author on the folly of attacking Iran.

Kay so Queso

We try to behave according to the example he gave us. We have a sense of charity, cooperation, unity, solidarity.

[Mossadegh’s] family had traditionally produced lawyers and doctors, and since he had already learned most of what there was to know about law, he devoted himself to studying medicine.

Facts. And for that he should always be remembered 🥲

"My only crime," Mossadegh told his judges, “is that I nationalized the Iranian oil industry and removed from this land the network of colonialism and the political and economic influence of the greatest empire on earth."

Can’t say they weren’t fucking warned.

[Goiran] believed that this would be a great mistake and warned that if the coup was carried out, Iranians would forever view the United States as a supporter of what he called "Anglo-French colonialism."

History changes course when people realize there is an alternative to blind obedience.

During the spring and summer of 1953, not a day passed without at least one CIA-subsidized mullah, news commentator, or politician denouncing Prime Minister Mossadegh. The prime minister, who had great respect for the sanctity of free press, refused to suppress this campaign.

Excellent book. It is very well researched and gives a great overview of the overthrowing of Iran's government. The subject could be very dry, but the author expertly crafts a story by weaving in interesting characters in the operation and educational anecdotes. His respect and appreciation for a foreign nation's political and cultural history is clear as he spends a great deal of time explaining the context of Iran's political society in the lead up to Operation Ajax.

I am really grateful I read this book and grateful for the author's writing of it. He really helped educate me as an Iranian-American citizen and I greatly appreciate his work on this subject. The epilogue especially shows how much genuine interest he has for the topic and his appreciation of Mossadegh and what he represents to the Iranian people. I think this is a great book for anyone to read to better understand the change in influence and dynamics from the British to the American empire. It really captures an interesting inflection point in history that we often don't appreciate enough.

The only thing that prevents me from giving this book 5 stars is that I found it difficult and emotionally taxing to read at times. I still really enjoyed it, but I struggled to get through the book at times because the subject matter was so haunting and emotionally difficult for me at times. Still, I really appreciate the author's work and would recommend this book to many people I know. 

Excellent book. It is very well researched and gives a great overview of the overthrowing of Iran's government. The subject could be very dry, but the author expertly crafts a story by weaving in interesting characters in the operation and educational anecdotes. His respect and appreciation for a foreign nation's political and cultural history is clear as he spends a great deal of time explaining the context of Iran's political society in the lead up to Operation Ajax.

I am really grateful I read this book and grateful for the author's writing of it. He really helped educate me as an Iranian-American citizen and I greatly appreciate his work on this subject. The epilogue especially shows how much genuine interest he has for the topic and his appreciation of Mossadegh and what he represents to the Iranian people. I think this is a great book for anyone to read to better understand the change in influence and dynamics from the British to the American empire. It really captures an interesting inflection point in history that we often don't appreciate enough.

The only thing that prevents me from giving this book 5 stars is that I found it difficult and emotionally taxing to read at times. I still really enjoyed it, but I struggled to get through the book at times because the subject matter was so haunting and emotionally difficult for me at times. Still, I really appreciate the author's work and would recommend this book to many people I know. 

the first of many instances of the US meddling in the affairs of foreign governments, but a relative success (from a U.S. perspective) for 25 years, hence it giving the CIA the confidence to stage more coups. fascinating! set the trajectory for much of the middle eastern geopolitics we have today 

Mark Stenberg 

Gabriel Naslaniec

Björn Nordqvist

Armin Sh

D D D 

A new edition of the best-selling study of the Iran-U.S. conflict traces the events leading to the 1953 coup in Iran, noting the reasons behind the U.S.'s covert operations under the joint authority of Eisenhower and Churchill, the orchestrations of prime minister Mossadegh and CIA officer Kermit Roosevelt, the coup's ongoing consequences, and future conflict. Original.

All the Shah's Men An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

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