The grandson of an eminent ayatollah explains the modern contradictions of today's cosmopolitan yet authoritarian Iran. Highly readable with side anecdotes, the book is a fun, yet essential read to understand US-Iranian relations today. New preface analyses the Iranian mood after the explosive 2009 presidential election.

"Hooman Majd is a stylish and engaging guide through the by-ways of Iranian life. Leading us from seminary to opium den to the presidential compound, his wry sense of humor makes this book a pleasure to read." -Gary Sick, Ph.D., senior research scholar at Columbia University and a member of the National Security Council staff under presidents Ford, Carter, and Reagan

"Illuminating... Captivating... A discerning guide to a complex country." - The Christian Science Monitor