We know the current political narrative: Iran is dangerous, full of
terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. But Christopher
Thornton here tells a different story: one of good food,
liberal-minded people, beautiful architecture, and a country with a
history spanning over seven thousand years that's been influenced
not only by the myriad cultures spanning Central Asia but also by
Europe and the West.Descendants of Cyrus introduces readers to
ordinary Iranians living lives far different from what is shown on
Western television. Thornton takes us through the cities of Iran,
where he encounters robust, barely hidden black markets
filled with American movies and music; sees the women of Shiraz
explore modern fashion and beauty products with no fear of reprisal
from a weakened regime; and meets the students populating the
university town of Hamadan, where a generation of activists is
finding its voice. Thornton draws from the past and present alike
on each stop of this fascinating travelogue, using history to
inform his conversations with citizens from all walks of life.
Unexpected variety comes to light, embodying surprising religious
and ethnic diversity, intellectual curiosity, a thirst for Western
culture, and the desire to live a modern, secular life. A
firsthand look at one of the least understood and yet most
politically significant countries on earth, Descendants of Cyrus
taps into the hidden pulse of a culture and a generation that
promises to reshape Iran in a way few Westerners can anticipate.