The Persian Puzzle

Mycroft · 31st January 2006, 09:39 AM

I figured with Iran being such a hot topic in the news, I'd advance a book from my own personal reading list. Kenneth Pollack is a respected authority on Iran, and this book gets good reviews.

BPSCG · 2nd February 2006, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mycroft

I figured with Iran being such a hot topic in the news, I'd advance a book from my own personal reading list. Kenneth Pollack is a respected authority on Iran, and this book gets good reviews.

Can you give us some background?

Mycroft · 2nd February 2006, 09:23 PM

Kenneth Pollack is a former director for Gulf affairs at the National Security Council as well as a military analyst for the CIA. Several years ago he wrote ”The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq” and is regarded as having been influential in creating support for that war. I saw an interview with him sometime about a year ago, and have been meaning to read the book since.

I just barely started it, having only read what can be read on a 45 minute treadmill session at the gym, but what I've read so far is accurate and well written. My understanding is that while he was hawkish on Iraq, he supports a much more tempered response to Iran.

BigHeathenMike · 23rd February 2006, 06:58 PM

I just started this book myself and it looks good so far. I've only scratched the surface of Iranian history, but learning about the country (and what they teach themselves as history) will hopefully lead to some insights.

Mycroft · 23rd February 2006, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by BigHeathenMike

I just started this book myself and it looks good so far. I've only scratched the surface of Iranian history, but learning about the country (and what they teach themselves as history) will hopefully lead to some insights.

Great! We'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

31st January 2006, 09:39 AM	#1
Mycroft High Priest of Ed Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 16,114	The Persian Puzzle I figured with Iran being such a hot topic in the news, I'd advance a book from my own personal reading list. Kenneth Pollack is a respected authority on Iran, and this book gets good reviews.
	__________________ Surely Israel is the party to blame? -a_unique_person I do have Mycroft on ignore, he is pretty much the Matt Giwer of your side. -a_unique_person Palestinian Refugees

2nd February 2006, 05:55 PM	#2
BPSCG Cannibal Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Looting Fafner's Cave Posts: 17,556	Originally Posted by Mycroft I figured with Iran being such a hot topic in the news, I'd advance a book from my own personal reading list. Kenneth Pollack is a respected authority on Iran, and this book gets good reviews. Can you give us some background?
	__________________ Philanthropist (n.) - Someone who spends his own money to advance his version of Utopia. Socialist (n.) - Someone who spends your money to advance his version of Utopia.

2nd February 2006, 09:23 PM	#3
Mycroft High Priest of Ed Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 16,114	Kenneth Pollack is a former director for Gulf affairs at the National Security Council as well as a military analyst for the CIA. Several years ago he wrote ”The Threatening Storm: The Case for Invading Iraq” and is regarded as having been influential in creating support for that war. I saw an interview with him sometime about a year ago, and have been meaning to read the book since. I just barely started it, having only read what can be read on a 45 minute treadmill session at the gym, but what I've read so far is accurate and well written. My understanding is that while he was hawkish on Iraq, he supports a much more tempered response to Iran.
	__________________ Surely Israel is the party to blame? -a_unique_person I do have Mycroft on ignore, he is pretty much the Matt Giwer of your side. -a_unique_person Palestinian Refugees

23rd February 2006, 10:16 PM	#5
Mycroft High Priest of Ed Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 16,114	Originally Posted by BigHeathenMike I just started this book myself and it looks good so far. I've only scratched the surface of Iranian history, but learning about the country (and what they teach themselves as history) will hopefully lead to some insights. Great! We'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of it.
	__________________ Surely Israel is the party to blame? -a_unique_person I do have Mycroft on ignore, he is pretty much the Matt Giwer of your side. -a_unique_person Palestinian Refugees

23rd February 2006, 06:58 PM	#4
BigHeathenMike New Blood Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Brooklin, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2	I just started this book myself and it looks good so far. I've only scratched the surface of Iranian history, but learning about the country (and what they teach themselves as history) will hopefully lead to some insights.