My Turn to Speak: Iran, the Revolution and Secret Deals With the U.S.
Bani-Sadr, who was president of Iran after the overthrow of the Shah and a close advisor to the Ayatollah Khomeini, reveals a great deal regarding behind-the-scenes U.S. involvement in Iranian politics. Now living in exile in Paris, he breaks his long-held silence to expose the dealings of three U.S. presidents with the Iranians as well as to describe the duplicity of Khomeini, who the author argues betrayed the spirit of the revolution. Bani-Sadr claims that the Reagan election team conspired with the Iranians to withhold the release of the hostages until after the election, thus permitting Reagan to claim the credit. He also makes some interesting comments about the involvement of Reagan and Bush in the Iran-contra arms scandal. This is a tale that is absolutely essential to read in order to appreciate contemporary Iranian politics and the 1979-80 revolution. For a wide audience.- Sanford R. Silverburg, Catawba Coll., Salisbury, N.C.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.