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Kat has read The Song of Achilles

"A sober and thorough account of Iran from the early 20th century fall of the Qajar dynasty through to 2018. Axworthy provides a comprehensive and largely objective account of recent Iranian history, building an understanding of the players in Iranian politics well in a way where the undercurrents all the way from the Constitutional Revolution through to the Ruhani administration - the role of the MKO, of the ulema, the bazaaris, and of course the Pahlavi Shahs.

The Iranian relationship with the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union is essential in understanding it's unique geopolitical character and it's role in the Middle East more broadly. Questions are raised about the intentions of US treatment of Iran, at numerous points the Americans' general mistreatment of Iranian attempts at outreach and reconciliation is made very obvious. Notably, when Iran worked closely with the US in toppling the Taliban in Afghanistan, only to be designated as part of the "Axis of Evil" by George W Bush immediately afterwards. Although it is important to be wary, as this may be the only angle in the book in which Axworthy might display a pro-Iran bias, he manages to present enough proof where it is clear that the demonisation of Iran is primarily caused by foreign powers rather than internal Iranian actions. I say this not to excuse the actions the Islamic Republic has taken, but rather to emphasise that geopolitics can never be black and white. Foreign powers have a long history of meddling in Iran and Iran's fierce independence is understandable - see the removal of Mossadeq by the US and the UK to defend their oil interests.

An excellent book and essential in understanding the modern Middle East and the unique government which is the Islamic Republic."