Then They Came For Me
A Story of Injustice and Survival in Iran's Most Notorious Prison
Published on 7. February 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-85168-954-5 (ISBN)
Description
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY JON STEWART
Maziar Bahari left London in June 2009 to cover Iran's contested presidential elections for Newsweek magazine. He thought he'd be returning in just a few days to Paola, his pregnant fiancee. Instead, he was incarcerated under false charges of espionage in Iran's most notorious prison. His release came four months later, only after a global campaign supported by Hillary Clinton.
While suffering regular beatings, forced confessions, and threats of execution, Bahari draws strength from the experiences of his family in the past: his father was imprisoned by the shah in the 1950s, and his sister by Ayatollah Khomeini in the 1980s. Exposing the contradictions at the heart of Ahmadinejad's paranoid regime, this inspiring and often witty story of one family's courage in the face of repression is also a beautifully written portrait of modern Iran.
Maziar Bahari left London in June 2009 to cover Iran's contested presidential elections for Newsweek magazine. He thought he'd be returning in just a few days to Paola, his pregnant fiancee. Instead, he was incarcerated under false charges of espionage in Iran's most notorious prison. His release came four months later, only after a global campaign supported by Hillary Clinton.
While suffering regular beatings, forced confessions, and threats of execution, Bahari draws strength from the experiences of his family in the past: his father was imprisoned by the shah in the 1950s, and his sister by Ayatollah Khomeini in the 1980s. Exposing the contradictions at the heart of Ahmadinejad's paranoid regime, this inspiring and often witty story of one family's courage in the face of repression is also a beautifully written portrait of modern Iran.
Reviews / Votes
"Then They Came for Me is a unique achievement. It is a story not just of political cruelty (a subject Bahari treats movingly), but also about the two poles of Iranian political culture, bent together in upheaval." * Guardian * "I really connected to Maziar's story. It's a personal story but one with universal appeal about what it means to be free." -- Jon Stewart "Then They Came for Me is the story of those who fight to inform and enlighten their society. Fortunately, Iran is not only a country of Ahmadinejads and mullahs; the country is also blessed with plenty of Maziar Baharis."- -- Shirin Ebadi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize "This harrowing memoir provides an illuminating glimpse into the security apparatus of one of the world's most repressive countries. Especially timely given recent events throughout the Middle East, this book is recommended for anyone wishing to better understand the workings of a police state." * Kirkus Reviews * "A beautifully written account of life in Iran, filled with insights not only into the power struggles and political machinations but into the personal, emotional lives of the people living in that complicated country. Maziar Bahari is a brave man and a wonderful storyteller." * Fareed Zakaria - author of The Post-American World * "What makes Bahari's account so readable is not only his sense of fair play - he tries to understand the motivations of the regime, and of his torturer - but also his keen sense of fun and humour." * The Sunday Times * "A profound, yet intimate insight into modern day Iran, told through Bahari's own and his family's experience of living through it. A wonderful book." * Jon Snow - Channel Four News * Offers an alarming window into the minds of those who rule Iran today... Readers will come away from this intimate, authoritative book with a fuller understanding of Iran, why its green uprising petered out, and why no one should be surprised if it kicks off again. * Financial Times * Absolutely compelling. A must-read. * Elementary V Watson *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
360 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85168-954-5 (9781851689545)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Maziar Bahari
Then They Came For Me
A Story of Injustice and Survival in Iran's Most Notorious Prison
E-Book
02/2012
1st Edition
Oneworld Publications
€7.90
Available for download
Person
Maziar Bahari is an award- winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and human-rights activist. A correspondent for Newsweek from 1998 to 2010, he was born in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to Canada in 1988 to pursue his studies in film and political science. Bahari's documentaries have been broadcast on stations around the world, including BBC 1, HBO, and the Discovery Channel. In 2009, he was named a finalist for Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for Concord, often described as Spain's Nobel Peace Prize; he was nominated by Desmond Tutu. He lives in London with his wife and daughter.
Aimee Molloy is the co-author of three previous books: Jantsen's Gift with Pam Cope; This Moment on Earth with SenatorJohn Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry; and For God and Country with James Yee. She also served as an editor of Laurie Strongin's Saving Henry. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband.
Aimee Molloy is the co-author of three previous books: Jantsen's Gift with Pam Cope; This Moment on Earth with SenatorJohn Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry; and For God and Country with James Yee. She also served as an editor of Laurie Strongin's Saving Henry. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband.