Awards

• Long-listed for PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography 2023

Overview

"Little known in America but venerated as a martyr in Iran, Howard Baskerville was a twenty-two-year-old Christian missionary from South Dakota who traveled to Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1907 for a two-year stint teaching English and preaching the gospel. He arrived in the midst of a democratic revolution—the first of its kind in the Middle East—led by a group of brilliant young firebrands committed to transforming their country into a fully self-determining, constitutional monarchy, one with free elections and an independent parliament. The Persian students Baskerville educated in English in turn educated him about their struggle for democracy, ultimately inspiring him to leave his teaching post and join them in their fight against a tyrannical shah and his British and Russian backers. “The only difference between me and these people is the place of my birth,"" Baskerville declared, “and that is not a big difference.” In 1909, Baskerville was killed in battle alongside his students, but his martyrdom spurred on the revolutionaries who succeeded in removing the shah from power, signing a new constitution, and rebuilding parliament in Tehran. To this day, Baskerville’s tomb in the city of Tabriz remains a place of pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of Iranians visit his grave to honor the American who gave his life for Iran. In this rip-roaring tale of his life and death, Aslan gives us a powerful parable about the universal ideals of democracy—and to what degree Americans are willing to support those ideals in a foreign land. Woven throughout is an essential history of the nation we now know as Iran—frequently demonized and misunderstood in the West. Indeed, Baskerville’s life and death represent a “road not taken” in Iran. Baskerville’s story, like his life, is at the center of a whirlwind in which Americans must ask themselves: How seriously do we take our ideals of constitutional democracy and whose freedom do we support?"

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9781324004479

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Reviews

An astonishing story that underscores the power of biography. In Reza Aslan's lyrical voice, Howard Baskerville's short life comes alive as a fantastical fairy tale-a wild and improbable adventure story. But it is all true. Missionary, teacher, soldier and American idealist, Baskerville becomes the Marquis de Lafayette of the 1909 Iranian Constitutional revolution... Aslan's vivid story-telling reminds us that Iran's revolution is quite simply unfinished. The young American martyr of the 1909 revolution remains an inspiration for those Persians who still resist theocracy. -- Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, historian and director of the Leon Levy Center for Biography Beautifully written and immensely readable story of the first Americans in Iran, and of their Iranian contemporaries who fashioned the Muslim world's first constitution. Aslan meticulously weaves Iranian-U.S. relations with palace intrigue, Russian and British designs on Persia, and heart-stopping accounts of battles between the forces of democracy and autocracy-some seventy years before another Iranian revolution grabbed the attention of the west. -- Hooman Majd author of The Ayatollah Begs to Differ

Reza Aslan has a unique talent for showing how piety and politics can merge, or quarrel, in the hearts of people. An American Martyr in Persia is a fascinating and thoroughly engrossing biography. A triumph. -- Laila Lalami, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist, author of Conditional Citizens An astonishing story that underscores the power of biography. In Reza Aslan's lyrical voice, Howard Baskerville's short life comes alive as a fantastical fairy tale-a wild and improbable adventure story. [Aslan] reminds us that Iran's revolution is quite simply unfinished. -- Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Prometheus Beautifully written and immensely readable.... Aslan meticulously weaves Iranian-US relations with palace intrigue, Russian and British designs on Persia, and heart-stopping accounts of battles between the forces of democracy and autocracy-some seventy years before another Iranian revolution grabbed the attention of the west. -- Hooman Majd, author of The Ayatollah Begs to Differ Great read, thoughtful and thought provoking. We must all pay attention to Reza Aslan's timely reminder that 'the suffering of any person anywhere is the responsibility of all peoples everywhere.' -- Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran Aslan has rediscovered the tale of one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures of the early twentieth century.... [This story] is a poignant reminder of the extraordinary affinity that historically existed between the peoples of Iran and the United States and raises the hope that this closeness might someday be kindled anew. -- Scott Anderson, author of The Quiet Americans A remarkable history that echoes to this day, with much to teach us about modern Iran and about ourselves. Read this book and be reminded of the common humanity that can transcend even our own cavernous divides. -- Ben Rhodes, author of After the Fall Reza Aslan's An American Martyr in Persia is a stirring reminder of the power of idealism, hope, and courage in the face of tyranny and injustice. The story of Howard Baskerville is as important today as it was in his lifetime, and Aslan's lucid prose and compelling narrative introduces him to a new generation who will find inspiration in his deeds. -- Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of The Sympathizer Aslan tells us Baskerville's story with passion and sweetness. -- Tunku Varadarajan - Wall Street Journal Replete with fascinating asides into the revolutionary politics of the era and the complex dynamics between Russia, England, and Persia, this is a provocative portrait of an unsung American hero. -- Publishers Weekly An intriguing read that breathes life into a pivotal moment of Persian/Iranian history. -- Kirkus

Author Information

Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer, producer, and scholar of religions. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot, and editor of Tablet & Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

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