From the 2008 miami book fair, hooman majd takes calls on his book the ayatollah begs to differ. With wit, style, and an unusual ability to get past. Majd offers an insightful tour of iranian culture, introducing fascinating characters from all walks of life, including zealous. The paradox of modern iran is the remarkable similarities between iranians and americans. Aug 10, 2009 this past week, i got my chance to learn more about iran by reading hooman majds book the ayatollah begs to differ. The book reads both like a travel memoir, and a political commentary. Politicians speak in platitudes and generalities, propaganda is rampant, there is an ethnocentric vibe, cell phones are all the rage, and the people are immensely proud of their country. His previous books are the new york times bestseller the ayatollah begs to differ and the ayatollahs democracy.
Hes a writer, and his new book is called the ayatollah begs to differ. Its an iran that will surprise readers and challenge western stereotypes. Hooman majd offers an illuminating answer in the ayatollah begs to differ. Hooman majd has a very readable way of writing, and as such this book is accessible to all, and unlikely to be put down. Hes a writer, and his new book is called the ayatollah begs. The paradox of modern iran and responded to telephone calls. And i beg your opinion as if im wrong or somehow hypersensitive. Londonbred and used to british insularity, fluent enough in farsi to pass as a native unadulterated by western contact, the grandson of an ayatollah and son of an iranian diplomat, new yorker contributor majd confesses to a frisson of nationalistic pride after the iranian revolution of 1979, when the nation captured international headlines and for once became recognizable, even as it ushered in an era of successful but muchfeared islamic fundamentalism. Oct 20, 2010 the ayatollah begs to differ is a refreshing and mindopening book, a nuanced and informed portrait of one of our most misunderstood global neighbors. Aug, 2009 anchor books has brought out a paperback edition of hooman majds 2008 book about iran, the ayatollah begs to differ, which adds to the original text a brief new preface about the disputed. Read the ayatollah begs to differ the paradox of modern iran by hooman majd available from rakuten kobo. Pdf the ayatollah begs to differ download full pdf book.
The paradox of modern iran, a captivating new book that invites us to peer inside the iranian. The ayatollah begs to differ from hooman majd sheds light on modern iran. The ayatollah begs to differ profiles iran as a nation of paradox, a place not because it is currently dcs designated enemy, but because iran is different. The ayatollah begs to differ provides an intimate look at a paradoxical country that is both deeply religious and highly cosmopolitan, authoritarian yet informed by a history of democratic and reformist traditions. Hooman majd hooman majd, acclaimed journalist and new yorkresiding grandson of an ayatollah, has a unique perspective on his iranian homeland. Hooman majd was born in tehran, iran in 1957 and has lived in the us since 1979. A revealing look at iran by an american journalist wi. He was interviewed on the booktv bus while at the miami book fair. Synd 179 ayatollah khomeini sends tapes of teachings to iran duration. To those of my readers who are not very patient, i recommend they not miss the last two chapters of the book, the ayatollah begs to differ and fear of black turban. Advance notices for the ayatollah begs to differ hooman majd is a stylish and engaging guide through the byways of iranian life. Majd will be joining here on earth tomorrow to talk about his book and iran. A revealing look at iran by an american journalist with an insiders access behind persian wallsthe grandson of an eminent ayatollah and the son of an iranian.
The ayatollah begs to differ audiobook by hooman majd. Including a new preface that discusses the iranian mood during and after the june 2009 presidential election and subsequ. Hooman majd the son of an iranian diplomat and the grandson of an ayatollah grew up in exile, yet he also remained closely attached to his homeland. The ayatollah begs to differ is a refreshing and mindopening book, a nuanced and informed portrait of one of our most misunderstood global neighbors. The author, hooman majd, is an iranianamerican who wields an incisive, eloquent, and witty pen.
The results are illuminating, humorous, sobering, and ultimately reassuring. The ayatollah begs to differ navy general library program. The paradox of modern iran is to demonstrate that his native country is not the monolithic society depicted by the bush administration and essentially regurgitated by the american press. The ayatollah begs to differ provides an intimate look at a paradoxical country that is both deeply religious and highly cosmopolitan, authoritarian yet informed by. Anchor books has brought out a paperback edition of hooman majd s 2008 book about iran, the ayatollah begs to differ, which adds to the original text a brief new preface about the disputed june. The ayatollah begs to differ by hooman majd doubleday publishing. Dear reader, i still recommend the book, though i call your attention to the usage of every anecdote. The ayatollah, along with other contemporary ulema, overcame traditional opposition to serve as a professor of philosophy at the university of tehran. The author of the ayatollah begs to differ, argues in his latest book that despite the popular uprising that followed the iranian elections of 2009, there are many influential, liberal leaders who. In this vivid, warm and humorous insiders account, he opens our eyes to an iran that few people see, meeting opium. He has written for numerous publications including the new yorker, the new york times and the financial times. The ayatollah begs to differ is both a social and political commentary on modern iran. The ayatollah begs to differ audiobook hooman majd.
The ayatollah begs to differ from hooman majd sheds light. This softcover issue of the book includes a new preface in which majd talks about irans june 2009 presidential election, which was not supposed to end the way it did, in a battle royal for the soul of a nation that is still being waged. Sep 23, 2008 praise for the ayatollah begs to differ in this delightful book, hooman majd, a gifted storyteller, takes us on a tour of his own private persia, which is also the iran of mahmoud ahmadinejad. While he describes a population molded and imprinted by. Ayatollah begs to differ hooman majd hooman majd, acclaimed journalist and new yorkresiding grandson of an ayatollah, has a unique perspective on his iranian homeland. Mar 14, 2008 the ayatollah begs to differ by hooman majd doubleday publishing. Academics connecting together ayatollah begs to differ. The paradox of modern iran, a captivating new book that invites us.
Apr 27, 2009 from the 2008 miami book fair, hooman majd takes calls on his book the ayatollah begs to differ. Including a new preface that discusses the iranian mood during and after the june 2009 presidential election and subsequent protests, this is an intimate look at a paradoxical country from a uniquely qualified journalist. In the ayatollah begs to differ, he paints a portrait of a country that is fiercely proud of its persian heritage, mystified by its outsider status, and scornful of the idea that the united states can dictate how it should interact with the community of nations. The ayatollah begs to differ by hooman majd persian cats the cat, a sinewy black creature with dirty white paws, darted from the alley and jumped across the joob, the narrow ditch. Londonbred and used to british insularity, fluent enough in farsi to pass as a native unadulterated by western contact, the grandson of an ayatollah and son of an iranian diplomat, new yorker contributor majd confesses to a frisson of nationalistic pride after the iranian revolution of. Its people are not arabs, the state religion is a markedly different of islam than that practiced and promoted by its sunni neighbors, and its political constitution is its own, a curious. The ayatollah begs to differ by joseph richard preville an. Oct 21, 2008 a sortofinsiders view of contemporary iran, which views itself as david against the american goliath. The paradox of modern iran, a captivating new book that invites us to peer inside the iranian soul. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Majds maternal grandfather was the ayatollah mohammad kazem assar 18851975, who was born to an iraqi mother and an iranian father. Praise for the ayatollah begs to differ in this delightful book, hooman majd, a gifted storyteller, takes us on a tour of his own private persia, which is also the iran of mahmoud ahmadinejad. Hooman majd, acclaimed journalist and new yorkresiding grandson of an ayatollah, has a unique perspective on his iranian homeland. Norton in the fall of 2010, and his latest, the ministry of guidance invites you to not stay was published in the fall of 20. His previous books are the new york times bestseller the ayatollah begs. The ayatollah begs to differ is a lively little romp through the recent history of iran and a peek into the persian soul. This past week, i got my chance to learn more about iran by reading hooman majds book the ayatollah begs to differ. The ayatollah begs to differ npr coverage of the ayatollah begs to differ. His second book on iran, the ayatollahs democracy was published by ww. His first book, the ayatollah begs to differ, was published by doubleday in the fall of 2008. Perhaps the most surprising revelation in the ayatollah begs to differ. An iranian challenge, as well as his most recent book, the ministry of guidance invites you to not stay.
Anchor books has brought out a paperback edition of hooman majds 2008 book about iran, the ayatollah begs to differ, which adds to the. If anyone can prove adept at explaining iranians to americans, it ought to be majd. Jul 28, 2009 the ayatollah begs to differ is both a social and political commentary on modern iran. A sortofinsiders view of contemporary iran, which views itself as david against the american goliath. About the ayatollah begs to differ including a new preface that discusses the iranian mood during and after the june 2009 presidential election and subsequent protests, this is an intimate look at a paradoxical country from a uniquely qualified journalist.
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