An Enduring Love: My Life with the Shah: A Memoir Paperback – April 6, 2005

Beautifully written memoir.

I am an Iranian who has lived in the United States since the 1979 islamic revolution in Iran that dawned one of the most BRUTAL BRUTAL AND I MEAN BRUTAL governments known to mankind. The second the last secular Prime Minister Shapour Bakthiar left Iran and the Khomeini government invaded Iran, a theocracy was born. This theocracy single handedly killed tens of thousands of Iranians in the first year alone. Mass executions my relatives had to witness, seeing people hung by cranes for reasons such as not wearing their veils (which became compulsory after 1979), wearing neckties in the streets, going out with the opposite sex in the street, and other simple freedoms we have in the United States. One by one, former generals and government employees of the shah were executed via the firing squad because rather than serving under that piece of GARBAGE ayatoillet khomeini, they would rather die. Upon his return to Iran in 1978, he was asked how he felt and the piece of garbage said simply "nothing"....and the people he murdered and the genocide he committed. Little boys were abducted in the streets ordered by khomeini himself for them to run accross mine fields to ensure they were safe...and the ones that weren't were blown up just to make sure...Now 27 years later, a burned out generation and youth who 70% were born after this hijacking, have arisen....Depressed youth in which the government follows them in every way, shape, and form......reasons being MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, being told what to wear, being told how to act, not allowed to have any kind of western fun without fear of raids and repurcussions, and the list goes on.... because of this piece of GARBAGE government. The government in iran gives millions to palestine each year but pays their teachers and other social workers only 100 dollars a month and they are LUCKY just to get that!The shah's era was a time in which Iran was brought out of the middle ages and into the modern world. An era which brought the Iranian currency equal to 7 tomans to 1 dollar (versus now 5000=1). An era in which women were seen equal in the eyes of the law and could hold any position equal to a male.....An era where anyone could choose what kind of education they want to recieve, what religion to preach, how to live their life peacefull.......An era in which every 100 college graduates had 200 jobs to select from where now every 100 have 35-40 at max leaving the balance home doing nothing all day, trying to determine who pays the bills......Yeah the cia trained savak was out of hand, and corruption within that faction were running amuck (the only area where anyone can bring up the myth of him being a "ruthless dictator")....but you know what, the shah ORDERED the arrest of the savaki leaders after he got the reports of what was going on and the corruption....The "ruthless dictator" told the troops to withdraw on black friday after 70-100 people were shot, but thousands more could have been killed but weren't. This book is a wonderful account of her life with the shah in detail.

It’s been years since I read this book so I can’t give a detailed review. I still have it and just may read it again. I would love to see a movie made if there hasn’t been one already. I was young when the Shah of Iran escaped from Iran with his families lives, looking for a safe place to live and we, the USA turned our backs on him. I never quite understood that. It’s a love story worth reading.

Easy read (1-3 days):An intense autobiography of Farah's life as Empress to the Shah of Iran. Personal insight about the life she lived previous to their marriage, as well as extensive insight of their lives as leaders of Iran. This book covers how Farah already lived a privileged life previous to meeting the Shah on formal occasion. She continues her life with the Shah with appropriate Empress' interest in her home country, a country to which she expresses deep devotion and connection, even after being forced to leave by violent political and religious resurgence contributing to the US embassy takeover in Tehran, and the flight from their own country.Their friendship with Anwar Sadat and family is also covered, expressing the Sadat family's explicit loyalty as friends and leaders.Wonderful representations of loyalties and a personal look at US-Iranian politics and policies, as well as historical information about the temporary improvement for quality of life that Iran was able to achieve during the Pahlavi reign.As Farsi is one of my favorite languages, I found the few words in Farsi an enjoyment to discover. If you are interested in privileged lifestyles, or you are connected to that era or the people of Iran, you will instantly feel at home with this book. Vivid descriptions of Iranian landscapes and cultures that vary from region to region are especially informative, especially if you have never been there.It is interesting to note the comparison between the Westernized version of Islam during the Shah's reign compared to Farah's expressed concern for the future of Iran, especially under the current, harsh "Clerical Regime".Also interesting are personal and political accounts of America, Europe and many other countries who turned their backs on the Pahlavi family during their plight to find doctors for the Shah's terminal illness, and their difficult search for a home.Many personal photos also add substance to this endearing story of privilege and plight!

It's a great, friendly language, amusing, and nice to read book!I got the used one which worked for me!

The book I received was in an impeccable condition. I could not stop reading and reading - a book straight from the heart with joys and tribulations'It taught me that even royalty do not escape their destiny. It brought tears to my eyes just reading about a family who had more than everythingand were not able to have some kind of closure and a place they could call home. An enduring love and mostly an enduring life. Farah Pahlevi has written a book for posterity and in doing so she has touched everyone's life, even someone like myself who does not know much about Iran. Jackie

Five stars because I liked the book to read and finished quickly. For the contents, obviously she will praise her side and tells her side of the story. They were living a lavish life and wasiting countrys money like any politician. Fortunately i have visisyed one of their palace in Tehran. It is like a modern day building (not a fortress).There is enough to everything and it comes from the Lord and their enough came at that day. She should be happy that they were able to leave the country in one piece and alive. See what is happening in Arab countries.

Recommended for anyone interested in recent history of Iran. The memoir is very candid as she always is.