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                Mohammad Mossadegh Library

            "In a constitutional government, the Shah should reign and not rule." -Mohammad Mossadegh

MOSSADEGH'S MEMOIRS
Mossadegh wrote Book I of his memoirs during a three years solitary imprisonment that ended in August 1956. He completed Book II in 1961 while under house arrest in Ahmadabad. 

Book I: A Brief Account of My Life and Memoirs covered the period of 1882-1924.  

Book II: A Summary of the Nationalization of Oil Industry in Iran recounts the oil nationalization process and replies to accusations made by the Shah in his book "Mission for My Country". 
Books I & II are printed in farsi in one volume (Khaterat va Taallomate Mossadegh). There is also an English translation of both volumes by Homa Katouzian that is out of print.

 

MUSADDIQ and the STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN IRAN                          

Author: Homa Katouzian  
First published in 1990, Second edition in 1999 - 315 pages

Biography of Mossadegh by Oxford professor, historian, poet and author Homayoun (Homa) Katouzian. An excerpt from the preface to the 2nd edition:

"It is true that nationalization did not succeed in its full sense. But (a) it put Iran in charge of its oil industry and resources, at least in legal terms, and led to creation of the National Iranian Oil Company which grew in importance and operations in the following decades and was ready to to run the industry when the Consortium Agreement lapsed; (b) even the Consortium Agreement which was imposed on Iran in the wake of Musaddiq's defeat, destroyed the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company's monopoly and established 50-50 profit sharing, both of which were far more beneficial to Iran than Supplemental Agreement; and (c) the British government lost most of their extra diplomatic privileges and influence in the country, losses that were never matched by America's increased influence after the coup". 

 
 
MOSSADEGH: A Political Biography
Author: Farhad Diba
First published in 1986, 228 pages, black and white photos

From the book's introduction: "Who was Mohammad Mossadegh? In the eyes of the West he was someone who was prominent on the international scene only between the years 1951 and 1953. During this period, he was portrayed by the Western media as either demagogic or pathetic but always as a figure of fun. Even if Western politicians went beyond this media analysis and made their own assessment, then he was presented as a threat to Western interests or, worse still, an agent or tool of the Communists. More often than not, there was no clear separation between official policy lines and media reports. To this day, these images of Mossadegh remain in the eyes of the general public."

 

MOSSADEGH: The Years of Struggle and Opposition

Author: Col. Gholamreza Nejati
In Farsi, two volumes, 1266 pages total
Published in Tehran, 1998
 
A thorough two volume set written in Farsi. Mindful of the post Islamic revolution atmosphere in Iran, the publisher notes that the motives of all great contemporary Iranian historical figures were love of freedom, resistance of arbitrary government rules, foreign exploitation, and a deep respect for Islamic culture- "...the difference being that some wanted Iran for Islam, and some Islam for Iran". They point out that in his doctoral dissertation on the "Law of the Last Will and Testament in Islam", Mossadegh clearly states that "I'm an Iranian and a Muslim and will fight as long as I'm alive against any threat to Iraniat and Islamiat."
 
Nejati cites two reasons for writing this ambitious book- the availability of newly declassified documents, and the opportunity to construct a comprehensive, authoritative documentation of the subject.   

 

MOHAMMAD MOSSADEGH AND THE FUTURE OF IRAN

Edited by Houshang Keshavarz and Hamid Akbari
Published in 2005, 432 pages, black and white photos
 
A compilation of scholarly Persian language articles commemorating Mossadegh's premiership on its 50th anniversary, this book derives from a conference of the same name held at Chicago's Northeastern Illinois University in May 2001.

 

 

THE MOSSADEGH ERA: Roots of the Iranian Revolution                         

Author: Sepehr Zabih  
First published in 1982, 182 pages

From the foreword by Professor Amos Perlmutter: "Dr. Zabih's analysis of the struggle is masterful, detailed and fascinating. His portrait of the coup and the downfall of Mossadegh is incisive and dramatic. His research has yielded the true story of the Mossadegh phenomenon, which ended in the weakening of the nationalistic forces." 

 

MOHAMMAD MOSSADEGH

Author: Fuad Rouhani 
Published in 2005, photos
 

The former Oil Minister during Mossadegh's premiership has written this forthcoming biography,  published in English and Farsi versions (translation by the author). 

 

 

MOHAMMAD MOSSADEGH AND QUESTIONS OF RIGHTS AND POLITICS 

Author: Iraj Afshar 
Published in 2003, 300 pages, photos, illustrations
                                                                                                                                                  

This Farsi language book gathers Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh's fundamental writings in the field of 'rights and policies'. It contains Mossadegh's legal and financial theses, articles, memoirs, letters and miscellaneous items. Also appearing in French are Mossadegh's theses and his first interview in 1909 with Renee Vieillard that was printed in Les Nouvelles, which was also translated into Farsi.

 

MOSSADEGH 

Undertaken by Ali Jhonzadeh 
Published in 1979, 285 pages, black and white photos
                                                                                                                                                  

A compilation of historical and related materials on Mossadegh in Farsi. The book contains many black and white pictures and several poems about Mossadegh.  

 

 

LETTERS FROM AHMADABAD (1956-1966)

Letters from Mohammad Mossadegh to Mr. Nosratollah Amini 
Compiled and introduced by Fariba Amini
Published in 2004, 100 pages, black and white
photos
                                                                                                                                                  

A collection of letters written by Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh during the final decade of his life (1956-1966) to his personal attorney, friend and confidante Mr. Nosratollah Amini. The handwritten letters are a rare glimpse into Dr. Mossadegh's state of mind while under house arrest in Ahmad-Abad.
In addition, the book contains several never before seen photos of Dr. Mossadegh and Mr. Amini; and Amini's own personal recollection of how he met Mossadegh.

 

MOSSADEGH- Remembering 50th Anniversary of Oil Nationalization & Establishment of Mossadegh Government

Azadi Quarterly Review (# 26 & 27, Summer and Autumn 2001) 
Published in 2001, with black and white photos

Thick as a book, this special issue of the Azadi Quarterly Review is introduced by Mossadegh's grand son, Hedayatollah Matin Daftari. It consists of Mossadegh's biography and related subjects; several favorable and unfavorable assessments of Mossadegh; and finally a list of books on Mossadegh and the Iranian National Movement.

 


 

ALL THE SHAH'S MEN: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror

Author: Stephen Kinzer
Published in 2003, 258 pages, black and white photos

New York times foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer has written about Turkey, Nicaragua and Guatemala. In All the Shah's Men, he chronicles the 1953 Iranian coup and its colorful cast of characters, above all one Mohammad Mossadegh. As the subtitle indicates, Kinzer aims to connect the coup to not only the Islamic revolution in Iran, but also the events of September 11th. Illustrated with 8 pages of black and white photos. 
 

 

MOHAMMAD MOSADDEQ and the 1953 Coup in Iran                         

Edited by Mark J. Gasiorowski and Malcolm Byrne 
First published in 2004- 408 pages
 
Contains articles and documents from a variety of sources (Iran, America, and the USSR).
This book contains essays by scholars such as Homa Katouzian, Fakhreddin Azimi, Maziar Behrooz, Wm. Roger Louis, Mary Ann Heiss and Malcolm Byrne; each addressing different aspects of Mossadegh's mission for Iran and the 1953 coup that followed. The last chapter is by Mark J. Gasiorowski, a political science professor and author of three books and many article on Iran. In the introduction to the book, Malcolm Byrne summarizes Gasiorowski's essay this way: "..he pulls together the main themes raised in each chapter and assesses the relative impact of the forces responsible for Mossadeq's ouster."

 

POPULAR GOVERNMENT AND ITS ADVERSARIES- 

A look at the report card on domestic and foreign oppositions
Based on most recent documents
Author: Fakhreddin Azimi
First published in 2004 in Tehran, 241 pages 
 
This is the Farsi version of the Dr. Azimi's original writing in English in the book listed above, [Mohammad Mosaddeq and the 1953 Coup in Iran] but with more reviews and added parts. In this book, Dr. Azimi writes a chapter under the title of 'Unseating of Mosaddeq'. In the introduction, his contribution is described as follows:
 
"Surveying Iran's political environment in the early 1950s, Fakhreddin Azimi provides an intricate account of the domestic forces on either side of the Mosaddiq divide. Although he points out the "inseparability of domestic and foreign anti-Mosaddeq opposition", he emphasizes the Key role of the Iranians who increasingly lined up against the prime minister. His analysis begin with a nuanced look at the social bases of support and opposition to Mosaddeq. After analyzing each of the main opposition groups-- the royalists, Anglophiles and "defectors" and Tudeh--and their representatives, he traces their action and interactions through the crisis of July 1952 and February 1953 to the final "showdown." He ends with a consideration of whether Mosaddeq and the National Front could have put up a more effective fight or whether they faced too many constraints, structural or personal, against success." 
 
 

EMPIRE AND NATIONHOOD: The United States, Great Britain and Iranian Oil 1950-1954

Author: Mary Ann Heiss
Published in 1997, 328 pages
 
Publisher's description: In 1951 prime minister Mohammed Mossadegh seized British oil holdings in Iran. The move set in motion four years of bitter political and strategic battles between a United Kingdom desperate for an economic rebound and an increasingly anti-Western regime in Teheran. The Eisenhower administration tried to broker a settlement, but Mossadegh was overthrown by an Anglo-American operation and replaced by the Shah. Mary Ann Heiss provides the most detailed account available of this turning point in cold war history. Drawing on an unprecedented range of British and American documents, she provides an incisive political, economic, and cultural analysis of the first British and American effort to contain communism and radical Third World nationalism; the first American effort to bolster a crumbling British Empire; and the first effort by the CIA to overthrow a popular nationalist regime. This book is the full story not only of the shift from British to American dominance in the oil economies of the Middle East but also of the rise of nationalism in the context of the cold war.

 

THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN : In the Shadow of Musaddiq  

Author: James F. Goode
Published in 1997, 256 pages
 
Publisher's description: This study presents an analysis of US-Iranian relations in the twentieth century, with particular attention to the crisis over nationalization of British oil interests at midcentury. As such, it focuses on the career of Muhammad Musaddiq, who struggled during those years to free his country from foreign influence, and whose memory continued to haunt bilateral relations with the United States up to the Iranian revolution. Throughout, it examines Anglo-American views of Iranians (and by implication of other non-Westerners) which affected - and still affect - the conduct of international relations. 

 

THE IRANIAN LABYRINTH: Journeys Through Theocratic Iran and Its Furies             

Author: Dilip Hiro
Published in 2005, 256 pages
 

London based writer Dilip Hiro's recent book on Iran devotes chapters to Mossadegh and the 1953 coup. 

 

 

The Eagle and the Lion: The Tragedy of American-Iranian Relations

Author: James A. Bill
Published in 1998, 520 pages

 

THE PRIZE: The Epic Quest For Oil, Money and Power 

Author: Daniel Yergin
Published in 1991                             

A comprehensive overview of the struggle to control oil throughout history, Daniel Yergin received the Pulitzer Prize for this ambitious book, which was later made into a TV series for PBS. Mossadegh and The Anglo Iranian Oil Company are featured subjects, with a 30 page chapter devoted to Mossadegh titled "Old Mossy" and the Struggle For Iran

 

 

ALLAH'S OIL: Mideast Petroleum 

Author: I.G Edmonds
Published in 1977, with black and white photos                                

Chronicles the history of oil in the Middle East, with a chapter on the Iranian oil battle led by Mossadegh. It's loaded title should warn the reader of what is to come. In the chapter "Mossadeq and Abadan" the author's bias quickly surfaces: "..when Reza Shah made himself dictator and then the shah, the fanatic Mossadeq developed a vicious hatred for the new ruler". He reveals his poorly informed mind and again his bias: "Mossadeq had the full support of Tudeh communists and the wealthy land owners". He later writes, "By this time the vindictive old man [he means Mossadegh] had forced the resignation of five prime ministers and was accused of conniving in the murder of a sixth". [!] The author goes on to refer to Mossadegh as a "stubborn old man", "strange and often weeping Mossadeq" or "aging fanatic".

 


 

THE DESTINY OF ASSOCIATES OF DR. MOSSADEGH                                                    Author: Abdolreza Hooshang Mahdavi 
Published in 2004, 277 pages, black and white photos                              

This Farsi language book contains the story and fate of twenty loyal compatriots of Dr. Mossadegh. They were the original guard and at the forefront of the Iranian politic for more than two years, today they are all deceased. The book contains black and white pictures of these individuals along with a brief mention of several other notable individuals who also lent support to Mossadegh and his policies.

 

NATIONALIZATION OF THE IRANIAN OIL INDUSTRY 
An Intimate Recollection
                 
                                                                                                    Author: Ebrahim Homayounfar
Published in 2000, Farsi, 132 pages     
                         

"Oil is the blood in the veins of middle east countries, a curse for the ignorant and backward nations" - From the first page of book.

Personal account of Ebrahim Homayounfar, an oil industry official who was initially appointed as a member of the Oil Commission in 1944 and later became the chief administrator of the oil region at the time of the departure of British personnel from Abadan. He was removed from this job in 1952 but continued to work in the Iranian government. His last position was governorship of Isfahan province in Abbas Hoveyda's cabinet. 

 

THE GLORY DAYS 
An unsuccessful British Military Expedition to Iran in 1951

Compiled by Abdolreza Houshang Mahdavi
Farsi, 365 pages                              

The political relationship between Iran and Britain began in the mid-13th century when Britain helped Shah Abbas to force out the Portuguese from the Persian gulf and its Islands. The British established their own presence in place of the Portugese. From the start, London politicians intended to exploit the "backward country" and this dynamic has essentially remained unchanged to this date. 

The political and economic exploitation of Iran reached a high point when the British and Russians occupied Iran to facilitate their war against Nazi Germany. In 1951, frustrated by their inability to dislodge the democratic government of Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh who had dared to nationalize Iran's oil industry [Anglo-Iranian Oil Company], they planned an invasion. This book chronicles in detail the British attempt to attack Iran by assembling the British Royal Navy, Air force and Army in the Persian gulf and the region. The invasion, however did not materialize, in the face of Dr. Mossadegh's steadfastness and his support by the people of Iran, in addition to pressures applied by Americans who were afraid of Russians coming to Iran's assistance.

 

THE BIOGRAPHY AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OF DR. HOSSEIN FATEMI                                                   
The Director of Bakhtar-e-Emrouz Newspaper
                                                                               Author: Dr.Nasrollah Shifteh, the editor in Chief of Bakhtar-e-Emrouz newspaper
First published in 1985, 405 pages, in Farsi                           

Dr. Hossein Fatemi was Mossadegh's young Foreign Minister.

This book, "The Biography and Political Campaigns of Dr. Hossein Fatemi" is authored by Dr. Nasrollah Shifteh, Fatemi's close journalist collaborator and friend in publication of "Bakhtar-e-Emrouz" newspaper from 1328 (1939) until "The Coup" in 1953. The book is based on the author's "sweet and bitter memories, personal notes and documents about Dr. Fatemi's political and journalistic activities until 28 Mordad, 1332" (August 19, 1953). The book also points out that Dr. Fatemi recognized the duplicity of Communist Russia in apparent support for the nationalistic aspiration of Iranians, but in reality collaborating with the British and undermining Dr. Mossadegh's democratic government. 

                                                                           

HOSSEIN FATEMI: WRITINGS IN CAPTIVITY

17 August 1953 - 8 November 1954
In Memory of the Murder of a Democrat 50 Years After His Execution
                 
                   Author: Hossein Fatemi
Edited with an introduction and notes by Hedayat Matine-Daftary                                                First published in 2005, 134 pages                               

The personal writings of Mossadegh's Foreign Minister Hossein Fatemi while in prison following the 1953 coup. Written in Farsi.

 

 

PORTRAIT OF DR. HOSSEIN FATEMI

Author: Abolfazl Hadj Ghorbanali
First published in 1992

A biography of Hossein Fatemi written in Farsi. 

 

 

 

POLITICAL MEMOIRS OF KHALIL MALEKI

With Introduction By Dr. Mohammad Ali (Homayoun) Katouzian
In Farsi, 488 pages, 1st printing- 1981, 2nd printing (updated)- 1989

In 1941, when Reza Shah was forced to abdicate in the wake of World War II, Khalil Maleki was one of the 53 original imprisoned leading intellectuals. In the same year he became one of the original founders of the Tudeh (communist) party shortly after his release from prison in a general amnesty. He later broke off from Tudeh party and became their harsh critic because of Tudeh's support of international Communism and placing the interests of the Soviet Union ahead of the Iranian nation. As a true believer of Democratic Socialism, he continued to be active and led the Socialist Movement in Iran until his death in 1969.

This book consists of Homa Katouzian's 225 page introduction entitled "The Iranian Face of Socialism: Appraising the Significance of Khalil Maleki in Contemporary History". The section on the text of Maleki's memoirs are 156 pages. Maleki's memoirs were left incomplete due to his death at age 80. The book also includes several documents such as correspondences between Maleki and Dr. Mossadegh when the latter was under house arrest in Ahmad-Abad.

This book presents Khalil Maleki as a tireless champion for social change, economic independence and territorial integrity of Iran. Khalil Maleki had great admiration for Dr. Mossadegh and what he was attempting to accomplish and addressed him as "The Great Father of Iranian Nation".

 


 

THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS- MANDATE FOR CHANGE: 1953-1956

Author: Dwight D. Eisenhower
First published in 1963, 650 pages

The first volume of President Eisenhower's memoirs, which includes his opinionated account of "the Iran problem" and cable correspondence with Mossadegh. Includes chapters "Seizure of Iranian Oil Industry" and "Mossadegh Overthrown".

 

PRESENT AT THE CREATION: My Years in the State Department

Author: Dean Acheson
First published in 1969, 816 pages

Memoirs of Truman's Secretary of State Dean Acheson. Contains chapter: "Double Trouble in Iran" Crisis in Iran -- Phase One: The Shah's Attempt -- Phase Two: The Mosadeq Revolution: Mosadeq: A Sketch from Life; A Critical Spring; Violence Impends -- Phase Three: The Harriman Mission -- Phase Four: Hope Fades

 

ENVOY TO THE MIDDLE WORLD: Adventures in Diplomacy
Author: George Crews McGhee
Foreword by Dean Rusk
First published in 1983, 457 pages

The accounts of Assistant Secretary of State George McGhee for the Near East, South Asian and African Affairs for the period 1949 through 1951, with a review to bring it up to date in 1983.

Three chapters deal with issues related to Iran: "The Shah's First Official Visit to Washington in November 1949", "Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Nationalized" and "Talks with Mossadeg". 
In this latter chapter, even in 1983 when the American sponsored coup was a known historical fact, Mr. McGhee blames Mossadegh for his own downfall by losing popular support, authoritarian tactics and alienation of Majlis. He asserts that ultimately the army rallied to the Shah and arrested Mossadegh and his key supporters. 

"But Mossadeg must be accorded some credit, at least, for the effort he made, and for his success, even at a high price to his people, in eliminating from Iran the last vestiges of foreign control."

 

COUNTERCOUP: The Struggle For the Control of Iran

Author: Kermit Roosevelt
First published in 1979, 217 pages

The memoirs of CIA agent Kermit Roosevelt (1916-2000), who orchestrated Operation Ajax which brought about the fall of Mossadegh in Iran. Kermit was a grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

 

IRAN PAST AND PRESENT

Author: Donald Newton Wilber
First published in 1954, 276 pages

Written by CIA agent Donald N. Wilber shortly after the coup.

 

 

IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES: A Cold War Case Study 

Author: Richard W. Cottam
First published in 1988, 298 pages

Richard Cottam was among the CIA agents involved in the 1953 coup which deposed Mossadegh and later wrote this, along with two other books on Iran.

 

IKE'S SPIES: Eisenhower and the Espionage Establishment

Author: Stephen E. Ambrose
First published in 1981, 368 pages Introduction by Douglas Brinkley (1999)

Mohammad Mossadegh is discussed in about 20 pages of this volume by Eisenhower's biographer and noted plagiarist Stephen Ambrose, author, professor and Director of the Eisenhower Center at the University of New Orleans. Contains chapters: Chapter 14- Iran: The Preparation; Chapter 15- Iran: The Act.

                        

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