Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran

by Afshin Molavi

Release Date: October, 2002

Edition: Hardcover

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Brilliant! Poetic, poignant, and charming. I loved it!

I have not read a better written book on Iranian history, culture, and politics. Molavi is brilliant in the way he weaves through Iranian history while at the same time telling the story of contemporary Iran through his interactions with the people. It is at once witty, hopeful, heartbreaking, and charming, but thoroughly entertaining throughout.

I casually came across the title in the book store one morning and by evening I had finished it! For those interested in a fascinating culture and country, I highly highly recommend this. Simply put, Persian Pilgrimages is one of the best books I've read in years!

A unique and compelling insight into Iran and its people

This book is for anyone who enjoys learning about other lands and peoples, particularly anyone who is curious about the Middle East.

Washington Post journalist Afshin Molavi lived in Iran for a year and managed to immerse himself in the culture and daily experience of the Iranian people in a rich and profound way. He seems to have accomplished this through a combination of knowing the language, enjoying a natural affinity with the culture and being exceptionally good at listening. (He remarks that he left the country with 50 notebooks worth of notes)

The result is a well-written account that is colorful, engaging and thoughtful without being overly judgmental. Read this book and you will travel throughout Iran with Molavi -- from capital city Tehran, to democracy-minded Tabriz, to the war-ravaged Iraqi border, to Shiraz, the town of roses and poetry. As the trip unfolds, so does the reader's knowledge of the diverse people, history, arts, sociology and politics of the country.

Persian Pilgrimages in an exceptional book.