All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror Paperback – Illustrated, 17 Jan. 2008

This is a remarkable account of an almost unbelievable series of events in Iran principally in 1953, although the author does give us a potted history of Iran from the early days and a more detailed history of the first half of the 20th century which led up to the events of 1953. The conduct of Britain in Iran during the century prior to 1953, particularly in connection with the massive oil reserves and the creation of the Anglo-Persian (later Anglo-Iranian) Oil Company, at the beginning of the 20th century to exploit the oil with massive profits to Britain and very little benefit to Iran, was quite appalling. Britain used the oil to fuel the forces during both world wars, and treated its Iranian employees like dirt while having wonderful facilities for its British staff. It was hardly surprising that the Iranians decided to nationalise the AIOC in 1950 and expel the British diplomats with their security staff. But then the Anglo-American plan in 1953 to get rid of the only prime minister who ever tried to start Iran on to a democratic path and to strengthen the position of the Shah was a disgusting attempt at interference in another country's affairs. The subsequent revolution in 1979 and the present situation may well not have happened if that had not occurred.A well written account of a very interesting series of events which I was not previously aware of.

Amazing book! I am glad that people are confident enough to write these kinds of books, which brings out the reality hidden behind events like a coup. I 100 % agree with the author that many of the things rite now happening in the Middle East are the results of the vicious acts of the previous governments of the West, and their endless ambition and greed. We, as human beings, are not capable of reading and analyzing the things, but only watch TV and accept what they tell us. We need more people like Kinzer to reveal the reality and put them in people's mind. This is a very good book, so engrossing and exciting.

Whilst Stephen Kinzer offers a reasonable overview that is consistent with the general understanding and thinking of the prevailing zeitgeist, of the events that led up to the overthrow of Mossadegh, that overview tends to get mired in the convenience of false premises. False premises that have provided those who should know better, or are ruthless cynics, the ammunition with which to create the Iranian problem of today.Where the US went wrong, was to think of the British as imperialist louts, and, vis-à-vis the superior knowledge of Anthony Eden, Sir Francis Shepherd, Sir Donald Fergusson et al, misinterpreted difference-in-kind for difference-in-degree. An easy mistake to make, to be sure, and underpinned by the US' experience of integrating many cultures from around the world, to make them into Americans. A mistake borne out by the fact that, in spite of a 50-50 concession deal with Saudi Arabia, and a cast iron security guarantee for one of the world's most oppressive regimes, 9/11, as per official US accounts, was carried by Saudi nationals and funded by Saudi money.Much has been made of the inequity that Iranian workers endured in Abadan. But they were not compelled to work for Anglo-Persian. Nor were they compelled/obliged to live on Abadan, no more than if WalMart workers established a shanty town in WalMart's car park and then provocate in alliance with workers' rights advocates, to compel the company to provide proper living conditions, at WalMart's expense, over and above the wages that WalMart paid.As for the alleged luxury enjoyed by the British technicians and managers: This was essential to make life physically and psychologically bearable for Europeans, in such a climactically inhospitable environment. Europeans who would have been happy enough to forego the swimming pools, fountains and other trappings of luxury, to work in a less demanding environment.It is also said that Iran ONLY received a concession of £7-million out of a £40-million profit. That is 17.5% of Anglo-Perisan's profits, that would not have existed if Iran's oil were a matter of exploitation by the Iranians (Sir Donald Fergusson), for doing absolutely nothing."It was British enterprise, skill and effort which discovered oil under the soil of Persia, which has got the oil out, which has built the refinery, which has developed markets for Persian oil in thirty or forty countries, with wharves, storage tanks and pumps, road and rail tanks and other distribution facilities, and also an immense fleet of tankers. This was done at a time when there was no easy outlet for Persian oil in competition with the vastly greater American industry. None of these things would or could have been done by the Persian government or the Persian people."This, is-that-all-we're-worth sum of £7-million, was then supplemented by the fact that the income from wages, even at $0.30-cents per day, for 100,000 workers, amounted to another $10.95-million. For Stephen Kinzer to argue, that the Iranians had legitimate cause for complaint, makes one wonder if the Americans were not a bunch of Marxist/Commies in league with Tudeh.Had the Americans been wildly concerned and keen to do business in Iran, and spread the love of Harry Truman for developing nations, they could have: Bought a significant shareholding in Anglo-Persian. Purchased concessions from the Iranians, since Anglo-Prsian had relinquished claims to many possible prospects, as per the 1933 agreement, and offered better pay and conditions to encourage experienced Abadan workers to work for the Americans, which would have forced Anglo-Persian's hand. And so on.Great Britain could well have chafed at this free market intervention, and threatened a split in NATO. But Great Britain was on the hook for a $4.3-billion loan, so was not in a particularly strong position, to be threatening very much.

Actually, I had read this years ago before buying my own copy. It is a riveting and easy read although the facts are deadly serious.New facts have come out since this book was written. The new reality is that Britain was an even bigger player in the coup than the US, but that does not take away from this very readable book.The United States and the United Kingdom portray themselves as lovers of democracy, the truth is that it is an enormous lie bought into by the corporate media and its acolytes.People need to know the historical facts before they make judgements. Why do so many Iranians hate the US and Britain? Because they know the harm done to their country. They have not forgotten, but the British and American public have - that is if they ever knew the facts in the first place. Read the book and find out!

This was an easy book to read and a difficult book to put down once you start. Having been born in Iran, I had always heard about the events surrounding Dr. Mossadegh and the British and American involvement in overthrowing the only democratic and a genuinely nationalist leader Iran had seen in it's recent history. But this book has given me a clear understanding of actual historical events and has put them into perspective. No wonder Iranians have a deep mistrust of the British and blame them for the country's misfortunes !!! This ia a real eye opener and a must for anyone who wants to learn about Iran, the Middle East, influence of Oil on British and US foreign policies and reasons for the animosities which exist around the world against the USA and UK.