Welcome to Litsy!

I definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand the history of Iran and is open to learning Iranian history from the very beginning- before the Bible. I highly encourage everyone to read this book because it will definitely change your perspective on Iran if you are open and help fill in the gaps you might have on Iranian history.

As stated in the book, yes Iran is not perfect, but even after 9/11, Iran condemned the terror attacks and was even instrumental in Helping us remove the Taliban and Sadaam Hussein in Iraq. Looking at what is happening today, I feel bad for Iran as Iran has always helped us out in recent history. I feel as if going to war with Iran today would be a major mistake for the US.

“When the existence of the Church is threatened, she is released from the commandments of morality. With unity as the end, the use of every means is sanctified...“__ Dietrich of Nieheim, Bishop of Verden

I want to talk about the shift from learning about Iran as its own culture and people to learning about Iran in conjunction with the superpowers of Russia and the UK. I think the people also noticed in the 20s-60s their identity was changing to align with the Russians and British which is why Mossadeq was supported and is still seen as a hero to the people.

“When asked... about what he had done for the Jews in Paris, Sardari apparently said it had been his duty to help Iranian citizens. When asked about the Jews who had not been Iranians, he said, ‘That was my duty as a human being.‘”__ Michael Axworthy

I think it‘s sad how twice now in this book, Iran has seen the US as their great hope. As Wilson preached self determination, Iran was hoping the US would save themselves from the imperialist powers. Looking at the impending war going on today, it‘s sad Iran used to think so highly of us in the early 1900s and at the end of WWI.

I like how in the 1910s, Iran looked at the US as a partner that would treat them with respect as an equal. The US seemed to be Iran‘s happy ending, but as history, and current events show, that obviously turned out to be a lie.

Reading about the Majles and the divisions between radicals and conservatives makes me think about the liberal and conservative divide we have here in the US right now. In the book, Axworthy talks about armed groups taking control which reminds me in part of Antifa as well as potentially the KKK and white nationalist groups. It makes me wonder if our divide would have the same result as the result as the divide in 1910s Iran.

I‘m actually glad to read a criticism of Augustine. I have always naturally been critical of Augustine, and I am glad Pelagius called him out on using his Manchaeian beliefs to influence Christianity. There‘s nothing wrong with using your previous beliefs to influence your present, but Christianity was flat out rejecting Manichaeism. I am surprised the church did not listen to Pelagius and deemed him a heretic instead of Augustine.

I find it interesting that the chaos following the death of Caesar seems to somewhat mirror the chaos after the death of Alexander. It‘s interesting to see how the Parthians recognized the chaos after Caesar‘s death and used it to their advantage to capture many towns with little force.

“The Achaemenid Empire was an empire of the mind, but a different kind of mind.”__Michael Axworthy

“To ride, to shoot the bow, to tell the truth—but not to write it.”__Michael Axworthy

I find it interesting the early Persians didn‘t think writing was important. I have a hard time believing the Magi thought writing was either wicked or associated with inferior peoples, but I guess it is possible. I would think if anybody would write things down, it would be the Magi, but I guess they didn‘t see a point to it.

Well written brief history of Iran starting from the Greek wars to Modern day. It's well researched and introduced many great Persian thinkers and personalities that influenced their complex country. 8/10

I find it odd and interesting the comparison between masculine and feminine characteristics of warfare.