John Ghazvinian
John Ghazvinian is an author, historian, educator and former journalist, specializing in the history of US-Iran relations. He lectures in Modern Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Middle East Center, where he previously served as Executive Director. He is also the founding director of Scholars to Storytellers, an initiative aimed at coaching senior scholars to reach wider readerships for their work.
John’s most recent book, AMERICA AND IRAN: A History, 1720 to the Present, is a comprehensive survey of the bilateral relationship, based on years of archival research in both countries. The book leads us through the four seasons of U.S.-Iran relations – the “spring” of mutual fascination; the “summer” of early interactions; the “autumn” of close strategic ties; and the long, dark “winter” of mutual hatred – and shows how it didn’t have to turn out this way. “History in the hands of a master,” says Ambassador John Limbert. The New York Times named it one of the “100 Notable Books of 2021.”
He is also the author of UNTAPPED: The Scramble for Africa’s Oil – a high-octane narrative that reveals the challenges, obstacles, reasons for despair and for hope emerging from one of the world’s energy hot spots – and the coeditor of AMERICAN AND MUSLIM WORLDS 1500-1900. His writing has appeared in Newsweek, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Nation, the Sunday Times and the Huffington Post.
John earned his doctorate in history at Oxford University, and was the recipient of a “Public Scholar” fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2016-2017, as well as a fellowship from the Carnegie Corporation’s special initiative on Islam in 2009-2010.
He speaks about the complex, two-centuries-long entwined histories of Iran and America, and what lies ahead for the two powers.
AMERICA AND IRAN
“This book presents the long, troubled relationship between the United States and Iran in a breezy and supple narrative, replete with poignant anecdotes, to posit convincingly that “antagonism between Iran and America is wholly unnecessary.”” –The New York Times
“Ghazvinian distills much complicated history into a lucid, graceful narrative studded with vivid profiles…The result is a nuanced, illuminating, and much-needed corrective to one-sided vilifications of Tehran.” –Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
“An excellent single-volume history of a fraught international relationship.” –Kirkus (Starred Review)
“John Ghazvinian describes in exquisite detail the relationship between Iran and the United States—from its inception in the years before the American Revolution to the present day. Beautifully laid out and at times reading like a thriller you don’t want to put down . . . Ghazvinian deftly shows us when, where and why things went (and still do go) wrong. If ever the question “why do they hate us” arises in the Iranian context, just read this book.” —Hooman Majd, author of The Ayatollah Begs to Differ
“History in the hands of a master. Ghazvinian leads us far beyond the mindless shouting of recent decades to tell a story of friendship, sacrifice, and discovery. Should be required reading in both Tehran and Washington.” —Ambassador John Limbert, US Deputy Secretary of State for Iran (2009-2010); former hostage in the US Embassy in Tehran (1979-1981)
“…timely and vividly engaging.” –Library Journal
UNTAPPED
“[A] riveting account and superb analysis of what African oil means to a fuel-hungry world and to the African nations involved.” –The Boston Globe
“Perceptive . . . Untapped drills home the point . . . that a thoughtful strategy to lift the neglected bottom billion must compete against the global giants going about their business.” –The New York Times
Books, Films & Projects
Clips
U.S.-Iran Relations: A Look Back at a Tricky Relationship with John Ghazvinian
Hooman Majd interviews John Ghazvinian about his new book, America and Iran, at the Center for Brooklyn History.
John Ghazvinian talks about his new book, America and Iran, at Town Hall Seattle.
John Ghazvinian in conversation with Ambassador John Limbert at Free Library of Philadelphia.
News
John Ghazvinian’s America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present, was named one of the 100 Notable Books of 2021 by the editors of The New York Times Book Review!