The Diaries of Asadollah Alam maybe the most important document about the inner workings of the Mohammad Reza Pahlavi period. These candid, almost-daily entries were written by Alam during the ten years he held the official position of Minister of the Imperial Court and the unofficial position of the Shah s best friend. The diaries intimately document the Shah s personal and political life. Periodically Alam would send the writings to Switzerland for safe keeping. In his will, Alam stated that they were to be published only if and after the Pahlavi rule ended. They begin in 1967, shortly after Alam is appointed to the Ministry of Court. He writes that he is in a unique position during an important time in Iranian history and sees it is his duty to report and document what he observes. The book ends ten years later, when Alam leaves the position because of the leukemia that would end his life less than a year later. The reader learns the inner workings of the Shah s opinions, relations and political maneuverings with foreign leaders, including five American presidents from John F. Kennedy to Jimmy Carter one of which he describes as an idiot and the British, Soviet, Israeli and Iraqi heads of state. His relations with and feelings about his wife, children, mother, siblings, and in-laws are also related. The internal workings of the court are described in detail from dealing with the court plumbing to threats to the continuity of the Shah s reign. Coming from an aristocratic family and being exactly the same age as Mohammad-Reza Pahlavi, Alam reached a level of intimacy with the Shah that few others could reach. This included sharing the details of each other s romantic affairs. Often, Alam seems prescient, including predicting the possible collapse of the Pahlavi monarchy. These diaries are the complete unabridged work edited by Alam s confidante Alinaghi Alikhani. Alikhani's introduction in volume one has been described as the most trenchant analysis of the history of late twentieth century Iran

The Alam Diaries: Yad-Dashtha-Ye Assadollah Alam (Persian Edition)

Reference

Alam, Assadollah

Foreign Language Study & Reference

Non Applicable

Asadollah Alam, an urbane aristocrat from the oldest of Iran's great families, was the Sha's most trusted friend and confidant. As Prime Minister in 1962, Alam orchestrated the defeat of Ayatollah Khomeini's first serious challenge to the Pahlavi regime. Subsequently, he was made Minister of Court, a position of unique power and influence, which he retained until ill-health forced him to retire in 1977, the year before his death. Alam's diaries cover a nine-year period with remarkable frankness, recording his almost daily meetings and conversations with the Shah.

The Shah and I: The Confidential Diary of Iran's Royal Court, 1969-77

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

I.B.Tauris

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