oots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations
Kindle $31.89
Paperback $30.00
https://archive.org/details/coup1953ciaroots0000abra
Format: Paperback
Preface
Chronology
Leading Personalities
Introduction
- Oil Nationalization
- Anglo-Iranian Negotiations
- The Coup
- Legacy
1X
XV
1
81
149
205
Notes
Bibliography
Index
29 customer reviews
From Australia
- Energy Imperialism - Oil Terrorism; the bane of Industrial era shenanigan continues to this day in ever newer avatars; newer players and forms replacing older and fading ones...
The 1953 coup in Iran, engineered by CIA and MI6 with the Western Oil giants and their cohorts, had far-reaching consequences in other parts of the world. It induced American policy makers to conclude that troublesome governments elsewhere could easily be overthrown. In the years to come, the CIA carried out strikingly similar coups in Guatemala, Indonesia, and Chile. Some resulted in mass killings on a genocidal scale. The killing fields of Guatemala and Indonesia could well match the best known horrors of the twentieth century.
Obsequious to the West, terrorising his subjects, murderous Shah of Iran inadvertently replaced the secular and democratically elected opposition with a religious one that proved in the long run to be far more lethal.
Iran and Iranian people had to endure 25 years of murderous tyranny under Pahlavi regime, propped by West’s cloak and dagger to finally own and control what was rightfully theirs, all along - Their Oil & Gas
Should we be surprised that, Iran might have trust issues with the West, it’s intent and commitment to fair play and justice?
I have been Satya Chari
From other countries
- ERSAM SABRIReviewed in Canada on 30 November 2020
The reality behind all the lies and misinformation written and told so far
The best book I had ever read about the subject - BethReviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2014
Great read
Great read as expected from Ervand Abrahamian; one of the greatest historians of Iran in the 20th century. He never disappoints. More serious than Kinzer or de Bellaigue and thoroughly documented.2 people found this helpful - James Kalomiris, The Peripatetic ReaderReviewed in the United States on 21 April 2013
The Definitive History of the 1953 Coup
American participation in the CIA overthrow of the sovereign nation in Iran has long been an official secret, long denied by the CIA. The veil of official denial was lifted by the President's oblique apology in Cairo several years ago. It is a historical event largely unknown to the average American, whose only exposure with Iran is the Hostage Crisis of 1979 - 1980. The motivations of the hostage takers are all but unknown. That veil was lifted with the opening minutes of Argo, Ben Afflick's award-winning movie, which very briefly summarized the events which are described in rich, exacting, painstaking detail in Ervand Abrahamian's book.
Abrahamian's book is the definitive historical account of the military coup engineered by American and UK intelligence agencies, a hostile overthrow of an independent, democratic, sovereign nation to exploit its natural resources and substitute in its place a brutal dictatorship. The files of the American and UK intelligence agencies are still classified, no surprise, so Abrahamian account is culled from the files of Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, better known today as British Petroleum (BP), Foreign Office and State Department publications, correspondence, contemporary newspaper and magazine accounts, and interviews and memoirs from the individuals involved in the events described. It is also a definitive account of the history of Iran in the Twentieth Century.
As the author admits, there have been other books written about the military coup in 1953 which overthrew Mohammed Mossadeq. One such book was written by Teddy Roosevelt's grandson, Kermit Roosevelt, one of the principle CIA operatives involved in engineering the coup. This book however has long been out of print, and if available, as it is on this website, the price befits the scarcity of the book. Roosevelt's account of how he overthrew Mossadeq is hardly an objective account or a good source of information. What sets Abrahamian's account apart from other books on the subject is the exacting and scholarly detail with which the author gives to the background of the Iran's nationalization of the oil industry, with a history of BP and its dealings with Iran, influence on the UK and American governments, of the origins of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, better known today as British Petroleum (BP), and the step-by-step account of how the overthrow was achieved.
He expertly describes the post-nationalization negotiations conducted by BP, the UK and American governments, and Mossadeq. Abrahamian definitively describes the schizophrenic policy of the UK government, publically placating the Iranian government, supporting on the one hand the nationalization as a legitimate action of a sovereign nation, but privately on the other doing anything and everything it could to bring about its failure. In this regard Abrahamian debunks the long-held, official view that Mossadeq was responsible for the coup happening because of his intransigence and unwillingness to compromise. Following nationalization BP used every non-military means at its disposal to undo Iran's action. This included legal action to the World Court (they did not prevail, the English judges on the panel finding against the UK!), seeking American support for an invasion of the oil fields (Truman wouldn't have anything to do with it), seeking US help to sanctions (they failed and the UK ultimately experienced significant political blowback later from those efforts), seeking US assistance in brokering some accommodation (they failed too), having English envoys negotiate with Iranian officials (they failed), and petitioning the UN to resolve the dispute (failed). After all these diplomatic and political efforts at arriving at a solution agreeable to both sides failed, US negotiators fashioned a plan which Mossadeq accepted and which appeared to be facially even-handled and fair -- Britain refused the proposed settlement!
One is struck with the healthy and vibrant Iranian democracy which existed before the coup. The nationalization of the oil industry was the result of a long democratic process -- not all Iranian politicians supported nationalization -- and was the result of legislative and congressional (in pre-coup Iran, called Mejlis) debates and discussions. One is struck with the futility and similarity -- then as in now -- of commercial and economic sanctions the Western powers imposed on the country short of actual intervention. One is also struck with the naked exercise of Western Imperialism by BP, the UK, and the US when all other non-invasive methods failed. To be clear nationalization was driven by the long history of officially- sanctioned business abuses and corrupt business practices of BP. Abrahamian goes into great, painstaking detail of these corrupt business practices and of how and in what manner BP systematically shortchanged the Iranian government of royalties due while the concessions were in effect while at the same time exploiting its natural resources.
Abrahamian's tendency is to stick to the documentary record and chronological sequence of events, and this can sometimes be tedious. But this is strength of his account. He is not writing a polemical political tract charged with accusations or invective, although it might be very easy to do so. This is a serious historical account and Abrahamian sticks to and preserves the documentary and/or historical record in all its shocking glory. The effect is dramatic and will make for unforgettable reading.36 people found this helpful - Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 September 2016
Five Stars
A detailed and true history book. - KMPReviewed in the United States on 15 April 2019
Check your premise
Great book. Well written and an easy read. Presents the other side of the story which is quite different from what is reported. Corporate and government motives remain greed/power driven In Iran's history and throughout the middle east. Read this and you should begin to question the righteousness of our "leaders" and their part in today's chaos and killing. Hypocritically, they always lay the blame on others and, sadly, it takes the passing of history to hear the truth.4 people found this helpful - Afshin AzadReviewed in Canada on 6 February 2014
Excellent review of history
Like other Ervand Abrahamian's books, this one is a well documented factual book about the roots of 1953 CIA coup in Iran.One person found this helpful - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on 2 February 2020
The partial genesis for the situation in the Middle East
The book pulls back the curtain , from the authors research, why Iran has distrust and hatred for the West - Z. AhariReviewed in the United States on 22 March 2013
A Well Researched Piece of History
This is a true to form Ervand Abrahamian. It is an extremely well researched and referenced piece of history writing. Abrahamian fills the gaps that were left to imagination or at best to the leaked rumors after the Coup. It is an addendum to both his earlier books, Iran Between two Revolutions and A History of Modern Iran.
The book provides unshakable evidence of the CIA’s direct involvement in the coup, return of the Shah and strangulation of a budding democracy in Iran. It also hopefully puts a stop to the arguments of the "Coup Deniers" who have used the present regime’s-- mildly stated-- misdeeds to distort the facts. Undeniably reading the book takes time, despite its small size. The reason is absorption of the references and the unfamiliarity of some of the characters involved, long gone. It should be a book to have and read time and again. To keep the memories alive, to remind further actors who keep inventing the wheel again and again of repeating the same mistakes and to realize the Red Thread that extends from that historical event to today’s Middle East and the blowback it created for the United States. It is a sad but excellent book, but so is history.15 people found this helpful - AminReviewed in Canada on 18 May 2016
Five Stars
Good analysis of historical documentsOne person found this helpful - m. jouvenelReviewed in the United States on 26 June 2013
must read
it must be read, especially by the US readers. Unfortunately that story is little known and yet helps to understand what is going on to-day with the Iranian/US diplomatic relations. As I heard recently on a US TV show, as a reporter was asking questions on the street in front of the White House "Do you know who Mossadegh was ?" : "No, I have no idea, who is he? ", another good one was "I wasn't even born then, why should I know about a coup in Iran in 1954?". and other answers in the same vein...
Mr. Abrahamian did a wonderful, professionnal job, it is clear, easy reading, no repetition, and to end this excellent book, a clear exposé of the blow-back which is occuring to-day (60 years after the coup) between the US and Iran.8 people found this helpful - Mansour A. Al AmerReviewed in the United States on 18 November 2020
An Excellent Book
Very detailed and thorough. The author has a deep knowledge of the subject at hand and manages to present multiple sides of the story. There are many lessons that can be taken from this book and I highly recommend reading it. - RodReviewed in the United States on 30 July 2013
The Complete Story; All the Facts
This book provides the complete story of the coup; the events leading up to it as well as those following it. It gives the reader some idea of what Mossadeq had to contend with; from enemies both within the government and those outside thee government. From Churchill's efforts to convert the British fleet to oil to Eisenhower's excessive fear of Russian communism. Add to that the CIA and the oil companies efforts to maximize profits. It also tells the story of what eventually became British Petroleum. If only the U.S. had supported Mossadeq.4 people found this helpful - Aqua PicesReviewed in the United States on 21 October 2022
Detailed historical account of US-Iranian relations
Detailed historical accountOne person found this helpful - Sekhar BanerjeeReviewed in the United States on 13 September 2019
Excellent document
The book clarified in many ways the current political relation between US and Iran. I wished the author would have taken us up to the coup of 1979 and overthrow of Shah. - S.S.Reviewed in the United States on 23 November 2015
I hope it can help you get a better understanding of what took place
Hi,
I bought this book for a Middle Eastern History class that I took in college. It is a lot easier to read than some other history texts out there, which I appreciated. I hope it can help you get a better understanding of what took place.3 people found this helpful - AliReviewed in the United States on 27 December 2013
definitely worth the money and time
This is one of the best academic works I have read on the 1953 coup. The main strength of the book is the references which gives a detailed account of the coup. Read it if you want to know more about the middle east as it is.One person found this helpful - david cReviewed in the United States on 25 April 2021
Excellent
Well written, well documented. Easy read. Just excellent - Kindle CustomerReviewed in the United States on 5 March 2014
Historic book
Every Iranian already has an idea what went down in 1953 CIA coup against a democratically elected Government. I recommend this book for anyone who likes to understand the events leading to and the aftermath of the CIA coup.One person found this helpful - MCLReviewed in the United States on 21 December 2013
Engaging and compelling
Abrahamian writes in an engaging and disciplinad way. His interpretation of the coup is supported by ample evidence. He makes a compelling case for re-examining the legacy of Mossadeq and the United States in Iran and the wider world.
==
==
==
No comments:
Post a Comment