All the Shah's Men

by Gail Rose Thompson

As the wife of an American businessman I spent the better part of the 1970's in Iran and saw the boom of the Shah's development and great vision for Iran to be recognized internationally, in every field; it was to be Iran's Great Civilization. An invitation to work for the Imperial Court as a horse trainer enabled me to see many of the royal family in informal moments; it also gave me an entree into high society, to watch the upper class Iranians at play. Many generals and court officials spent much of their time junketing and enjoying all kinds of sports activities in which they indulged themselves to the fullest, in Tehran and costal resorts. This is a book of stories and anecdotes about my life during the "Golden Years" of the reign of Mohamed Reza Shahanshah Aryamehr of Iran. There were times of joy, fun, stress, accomplishment and sadness during my years living in that beautiful Middle Eastern country. Much has been said of the failure of the American officials to see what was coming in Iran soon enough to begin corrective action however, I don't think much could have been done to stop the Revolution. Iran now, with its youthful population, that had no part in the Islamic movement, is begging to become an accepted part of the International system."

550 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2015

About the author

I grew up in Ontario, Canada mostly living in the country, where I was able to enjoy equine activities. I enjoyed the Pony Club, went fox hunting, showed hunters and jumpers and also rode some steeple chasing. When I moved to Iran in the early 1970's I was given the opportunity to ride and train at the Shah's beautiful Imperial Stables which was on the southern edge of the city of Tehran. I helped develop show jumping in Iran which was in its inception when I arrived there. My book, "All the Shah's Horses", is collection of stories of my time during a wonderful and exciting few years in a beautiful country filled with kind, gregarious, fun loving and intelligent people as well as beautiful horses.
"Iran from Crown to Turbans" depicts life in Iran during the time of the Shah, the revolution and how things have changed in this misrepresented country, in post-revolutionary days. I had a most interesting and enjoyable trip back there in the autumn of 2017.