An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville [Paperback]

One of An engrossing, entertaining, evocative, and unexpectedly cinematic story, a pleasure to read in that specific way where its impossible not to imagine the movie or ten-episode series in your head as you go. For both the facts of the story and Aslans unique ability to merge literary flourish with accessible scholarship and historical deep-dives, its a page-turner the likes of which are rarely produced in the historical biography genre. For its filling of a major gap in the library of geopolitical history, its resonance with the present-day strife in Iran, its echoes of other historical political battlelines in the region, and its celebration of how sincere faith of any denomination can inform a more noble and humanistic view of international relations, its required reading. Aslan tells us Baskervilles story with passion and sweetness. A rip-roaring tale of a fascinating time in history& Aslans vivid storytelling evokes an intriguing cast of courtiers, clerics, desperados and idealists. Reza Aslan has a unique talent for showing how piety and politics can merge, or quarrel, in the hearts of people. An American Martyr in Persia is a fascinating and thoroughly engrossing biography. A triumph. An astonishing story that underscores the power of biography. In Reza Aslans lyrical voice, Howard Baskervilles short life comes alive as a fantastical fairy talea wild and improbable adventure story. [Aslan] reminds us that Irans revolution is quite simply unfinished. Beautifully written and immensely readable.… Aslan meticulously weaves IranianUS relations with palace intrigue, Russian and British designs on Persia, and heart-stopping accounts of battles between the forces of democracy and autocracysome seventy years before another Iranian revolution grabbed the attention of the west. Great read, thoughtful and thought provoking. We must all pay attention to Reza Aslans timely reminder that the suffering of any person anywhere is the responsibil}