Ever wonder what happened to the Shah of Iran, and the revolution and how a nobody cleric ended up making America look a scared child?
Read this book.
Yes I know it is fiction but it isn’t. It reads like a nonfiction book- after all it was written by a career diplomat, he just chose to write it as fiction with some interesting characters thrown in.
Excellent book. ( )

Interesting interpretation of what happened during the hostage ordeal in Iran in 1979. Keeping all the characters straight is a bit challenging but worth the effort. ( )

It is 1978 and David Weiseman, an American diplomat, is caught up in the intrigue and manipulations of the last days of the Shah of Iran, the struggle among competing forces as to who will next rule the country, and the race to free the American hostages, as well as safeguard those who have been of assistance to him.

Although I am not a particular fan of “spy” novels, I really enjoyed this book but don’t see it as a “thriller”. It read more like an historical account of the fall of the shah, rise of Khomeni, and the taking of American hostages. I’m not sure how much was fact and how much fiction, but I felt I learned a lot about this situation.

Although there were many names to keep track of, the story was tightly woven and engrossing. The author is an experienced diplomat, and his knowledge of Iran and the word of espionage is evident.

It is said that we should learn from history and I felt there were a lot of lessons for our times in this novel….as well as warnings….beware the ascent of religious zealots and authoritarians. In the author’s notes, he mentions the importance of “decent moderates of civil society to survive and safeguard American interests”. While he applies this to the mideast, it is oh so important for our country as well. ( )

Whatever I was hoping for, this book didn't deliver. A bit dry and rather bland for my personal taste. It is a great book for some, just not for me. I rarely feel bored by an international espionage novel with claims to being a thriller, so I don't know what else to say.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Melville House Publishing via NetGalley. ( )