August 1941

The book August 1941: The Anglo-Russian Occupation of Iran and the Change of Shahs by Mohammad Gholi Majd seems to be a great gift to all historians studying the intricate story of the Allied invasian of Iran. ... The book gives a very detailed description of the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran and even more important, it outlines the long-lasting implications of this military operation for the country. ... August 1941 is a thorough and informative work broadening our knowledge of the Iranian history in the first half of the twentieth century. * Middle Eastern Studies *
The author's source-based narrative is in several respects the asset of this study. Although his findings are not necessarily new or original, the meticulous account of events provides a useful overview of the diplomatic and military moves of the various protagonists. The extensive quotations from sources save future scholars the effort of consulting the original archival material. Furthermore, such a close look at the original reports enables modern readers to see the events of 1941 through the eyes of contemporary protagonists, and also helps to dispel some popular myths, such as the myth of Reza Shah's pro-Nazi attitude. Even today, this myth is frequently put forward to justify the violation of Iran's sovereignty, however Majd's book shows that there is no substance to the myth as no such allegations are made even in the most propagandistic British or Soviet announcements. . . .Majd has presented a useful book on an under-researched subject, which, as a first source of information or as a book of reference, can render good service to both scholars and students. * Iranian Studies *