Ahmadinejad

by Kasra Naji

When Ahmadinejad was elected President in June 2005, anxiety replaced election fever amongst many Iranians. To let off steam they told jokes. Why did the new President part his hair so straight? To segregate the male and female lice. But while the laughter died down, the anxiety never went away...As Iran's nuclear programme accelerates, all eyes are on the blacksmith's son who could have his finger on the trigger. Who is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? What drives him? What formed him? To whom, if anyone, does he answer?Internationally acclaimed journalist Kasra Naji, a native Persian speaker, has spent years in Iran interviewing friends, family and colleagues of the firebrand President to tell for the first time the true story of how he came to power. A picture emerges far more compelling than any of the caricatures offered up so far. While Naji documents the often strange behaviour of Ahmadinejad, with his visions of the Hidden Imam and diatribes against Israel, he also shows him to be full of contradictions: a strange and complex man, at once gripped by apocalyptic beliefs, yet capable of switching spiritual allegiance in the quest for power; a man tough enough to fight street battles in the name of Ayatollah Khomeini during the revolution, who was described by former army comrades as a coward; and a man crude enough to invite the German Chancellor to join him in an anti-Jewish alliance, yet sophisticated enough to win the political support of the all-powerful Revolutionary Guard. The unknown Ahmadinejad - revealed here by Naji - is much more of a force to be reckoned with than the bogeyman conjured up by Washington. Naji takes us inside the shadowy council chambers of Tehran, and shows us the plots, passions and personalities that will influence Ahmadinejad's next move, while the world waits with baited breath.

Genres: Iran, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Middle East, Politics

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Eimad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that it is unwise to judge this book without knowing the writer.because for me,any book that critique someone, i'm pretty sure there are quite a good reason.Kasra Naji portrayed Ahmadinejad as an International villain that going to start World War 3.i personally dont think so.I think judging by Kasra work's history with BBC and CNN and all quite fair to conclude he is pretty much biased.I'm noy saying Ahmadinejad all goody or something like that but this book is a total bashing toward him.I think Ahmadinejad has a few qualities although might not enough.He has good intention but perhaps little knowledge or dare i say quite naive, but that statement based on this book.Frankly i quite like Ahmadinejad with his tough stance and his affection to poor peoples.He just need someone to guide him which obviously no one there.i need to read another opinion before i can conclude my view toward Ahmadinejad.After all this is 2012.this book outdated for all we know.Judging him alone without considering US stance and UN toward Iran is stupid.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

810 - 2012

Buku ini memberikan gambaran berbeda tentang sosok Ahmadinejad, karena diambil dari perspektif yang sangat berbeda dari literatur lain yang pernah kubaca. Tapi kalau disebut biografi sepertinya kurang pas. Sebagian orang menganggap buku ini bersifat netral, tapi IMO sepertinya tidak juga, dan komentar penulisnya atas fakta-fakta yang dibeberkannya menunjukkan pendapat pribadinya.

Anyway, setidaknya buku ini mengingatkanku agar lebih banyak membaca agar tidak terjebak untuk percaya pada propaganda yang disebarkan oleh satu pihak dan sudut pandang saja.

Setelah membaca buku ini, aku kok malah jadi teringat posisi Indonesia di masa tahun 60-an awal ya?

[Erik Dryden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is hardly a biography of Ahmadinejad, nor is there any "Secret History" revealed, as the subtitle would have you believe. Instead it is a somewhat random collection of facts, the vast majority of which could have easily been found in newspaper reports on the Ahmadinejad administration. We learn little about the man himself. Instead, we get brief glimpses of the people he has supposedly fraternized with, but little insight into his actual relationships with them. It would have been nice, for example, to give us more than a cursory overview of Ahmadinejad's relationship with Khamenei. Overall, I feel that this was a lazy effort.

[Noor Abd-alhadi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is totally biased. The reader could tell from the very first word of the book what position the journalist adopted even before starting writing the book that cannot be considered as a biography either. It consists of fragments from here and there without a clear structure. The only objective is to portray the former Iranian president as an inexperienced, opportunistic, and negatively pragmatic man who let down his own village that he was always proud of. This bias and pre-judgment made the book off and out of context. In addition, the writing style is not helping to make the book intriguing or interesting. I was not able to determine what is the style of book, journalistic, investigative, storytelling, or biography.

[S. Kumayl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is the most biased form of historical account I have ever had the displeasure of reading.
The writer clearly does not understand either the Islamic Law or the Iranian people. He criticizes every controversial act of Ahmadinejad as someone who does not know what he is doing and every good act as dumb luck.
Would not recommend.

[Jack Goldman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a while ago I read this don’t remember it being outwardly fantastic but it was decent

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a recommended book for a class I took on Iran. Absolutely fascinating perspective on not only Ahmadinejad, but on the entire political quagmire that is Iran. (After reading this, I was amazed to find over l07 pages of books on Iran in goodreads files.) I almost wish this was required reading for U.S. students, or at the very least anyone involved in the state department in middle east affairs....or any american who wants to know more about a country who's current regime wants to destroy America, and is close to having nuclear weapons at their disposal. I decided to learn more about Iran when I read an article in the NYtimes magazine section a year or so ago, where one of the lead Iranian clerics stated that is was "okay to kill 20 million Americans"....the infidels" I found this not only sobering, but in a demented way, humorous-- that is wasn't l9 million, or 200 miliion, or 60,000, but 20 million that was allowed by "Allah" to be a "just "number. How absolutely amazing that there is a country whose supposedly "religious" leaders blare this from their microphones, and Americans honestly have no idea of the past, present or possible future political and religious history of this country, or the players. Since I believe that knowledge is the most powerful weapon, (i.e. solution) I recommend this book as a starting point to understanding a country that is (or possibly can be) pivotal to our future. It is pretty fascinating reading.

[Famma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this book by Naji quite informative. I wish to read the 2nd part of Ahmedinejad tenure by Naji. It is quite researched though I find it amusing Naji has set his own views about the blacksmith son. It’s a bio-story of an Iranian president who led a common life. Why is it hard to believe that he Mr. nobody became president. I like his determination about the nuclear project and wonder why America and Israel against it. India and Pakistan can be nuclear power and I find it objectionable for America to have any say in any decision of any country. I agree the guy has no superior knowledge of economy and how to run a country but give him credit for his enthusiasm and heart for saving poor from getting poorer.

Those who wish to know more about Iran politics should read this book. Its got some back dated information as well. Furthermore, I got to know about Holocaust and Germany role in it. I’ll be reading more about it But I wonder why Germany or any other country do not give area of their land to Israel why have they set eyes on Philistine. Why America has no say in this matter. Why do they question Iran about its nuclear project and lift sanctions? Are they threatened or just bossing around.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the rather sensationalist title, this book is a fairly straight-forward biography of the Iranian president. The author has clearly done a great deal of background research, although he does not appear to have been able to talk to anyone close to his subject. Also, I found his discussions of the various factions of Iranian politics somewhat disappointing, in that he doesn't do a very good job of defining the different factions and their positions to the reader.

[Yuu Sasih · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my leadership analysist task. Must say that I don't feel the thrill of his greatness except the fact that he's supporting hardline Islamic group in Iran and his controversial decision to keep developing nuclear weapon. I read it with much skimming for I was on a tight deadline, though. Maybe someday I'll reread it so I could have a fresh perspective about him, not this task-induced thought like now.

[Kamil Salamah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and an affirmation of what the regime in Iran stands for. But is it the only one? Absolutely NOT. Both sides of the body of water separating them( Persian to some, Arabian to others)are a mirror image of each other: under different names and disguises but identical in principle. Both equally dangerous to humanity.

The question remains. When will the lime light REALLY shine where the center of all evilness resides?!!!!!!

[Daniel Jafari · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very well composed essay, but predictably short of being an biography of the notorious president. at the same time, a wonderful read as a starter for people interested in mechanics of power in post revolutionary iran.

[Samuel Leo Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting political strategy.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Very interesting take on what makes this man tick.

[Ted Heitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must have missed the secret, just a collection of facts. I still hate him though. Good read if you're unfamiliar with Iran's present day point man.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fantastic book not only on Ahmadinejad but on recent Iranian politics in general.