Understanding Iran: Everything you Need to know, from Persia to the Islamic Republic, from Cyrus to Ahmadinejad, by William R. Polk

Understanding Iran: Everything you need to know from Persia to the Islamic Republic, from Cyrus to Ahmadinehad by William R. Polk examines Iran’s ancient and modern history. Polk analyzes how Iran’s ancient history has helped shape the nations culture and ideals. Different factors such as geography, ethnicity, language, and religion are explained, as is the rise and fall of four Iranian empires.  Where the book really excels is talking about the events in the twentieth century. Polk actually visited Iran and spent time there in the 1950’s and 60’s. His experiences there, combined with his extensive knowledge on Iranian history led him to have a deeper understanding of the Iranian mentality. Polk feels that American policy makers simply don’t have a full grasp on Iran and Iranians and that is why so many policies fall short. Polk believes that if they had a better understanding of Iran, the Iranian regimes behavior would be less confusing and unpredictable to the American policy makers. Polk uses history to explain why Iran reacts the way it does to U.S. policy as an alternative to the mathematical approach policy makers use which disregard the emotions, perceptions, and fears that help  form their reactions to American policies. Overall Polk’s approach to Iranian foreign policy is very interesting and his analytical approach to Iran’s history can help one understand how and why things in Iran have become the way they are.