The Shah's Last Ride

by William Shawcross

Book Overview

From Simon & Schuster, The Shah's Last Ride is William Shawcross' unforgettable work of exile and American foreign policy.

The acclaimed author of Sideshow, The Shah's Last Ride captures the behind-the-scenes drama of the Shah of Iran's strange journey into exile--and its crucial impact on American foreign policy and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067168745X
• ISBN13: 9780671687458
• Release Date: October 1989
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Well done

The Book is very well written. I think it is based on lots of historical research. Very sad to see though how mistakes of a few people at one point of time can change the history in such a dramatic way!

An excellent, balanced account

Shawcross is an excellent observer and journalist of international politics. His account of the Shah's final days is balanced, interesting, and clearly written. While it does provide considerable background on the recent (as of the book's publication) and longer-term history of Iran, that truly is background. Issues like the Ayatollah Khomeini's consolidation of power, and the hostage crisis, are treated only peripherally to the extent they are relevant to the strange odyssey on which the Shah embarked. There is, for example, for more information about the "political" bickering among the many physcians retained to treat the Shah's cancer than about American and international efforts to obtain the release of the hostages. If you are looking for a book that provides a detailed analysis of the rise of the Iranian theocracy or the hostage crisis, I'm sure there are better-suited books out there. Taken on its terms, however, Shawcross' book is excellent.

THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY IN A UNBIASED MANNER

This book is superb, It tells the good the bad and the ugly in a fair unbaised manner which is rare for books on Iran. This book gives excellent insight onto one of history's most misunderstood figures, The Late Shah of Iran. Interviews with all the major players in the last days of The Peacock Throne. One disapointment Shawcross does not really delve very solidly into the Mossadegh era and the Shah & the CIA's role in helping the Iranian Air Force restore him to the throne. All in All, if you are a interested in the life and death of the Pahlavi Dynasty and want a fair and unbiased autopsy then this is your book

100 PERCENT ACCURATE

I HAVE READ MANY BOOKS ON THE PAHLAVI DYNASTY. THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW THAT IS EXTREMELY ACCURATE. IT IS VERY INSIGHTFUL, AND HAS SO MUCH INFORMATION. A MUST READ, BUT HARD TO FIND BOOK.