Very interesting look at Iran by a reporter who has been traveling there for the past 20 years.

Double feature with NIne Parts Desire. Fantastic and thorough exploration of contemporary Iran through the 1990's. Of course, a bit has changed since then. Sciolino took a well deserved transfer to the Paris bureau so don't expect a sequel from her, but anyone who wants to learn more about Iran (and seek context behind the headlines) will enjoy this mucho.

Very insightful book by a reporter from the NYTimes who has been covering Iran since the revolution in 1979. It being published in 2000, it's a little outdated, but it still captures the compelling history of Iran over the past 3 decades, its culture and people, and its interesting paradoxes.

Wonderfully written with lots of color and descriptions.

一直對中東的一切都充滿著迷與好奇，或許是因為知道此生應該很難可以走到那些神秘的國度裡（除非以後有幸找到充滿冒險精神且志同道合的朋友吧哈）。

這本書是在某書展殺到的，躺在書堆裡許久。這一次一讀卻欲罷不能，由紐約時報特派記者從女性與美國人的角度寫下的伊朗。關於伊朗的歷史和政治變化冗長且深遠，其實不太好理解，但作者還是可以在這些枷鎖以外緊緊扣住我的興趣。對於生長在回教國家的我，關於伊朗的一切又熟悉又陌生，似近似遠。那些說不定會成為我的日常的野蠻，還有早已成為日常的反覆與不定，讓人心悸。真的有機會的話，我更想翻開波斯帝國的故事，去追尋那些在傳統之中早已淡去的美麗。

I'm glad I got through Persian Mirrors because, as with every book, there were many takeaways from it. Albeit slightly outdated, I feel like I've learnt a great deal about Iran, its people - ranging from those in courts to those in the foundations to those at grassroots level, about its relations with the US, and slightly more about the Middle East in general. This was an engaging and rapturous read that combines travelogue with history and politics without oversimplifying aspects of the latter!

As this book was written approximately 18 years prior to my visit to Iran, it was interesting to note the changes in culture since 1999. Through her various contacts with her job, Ms Sciolino was able to enjoy opportunities that many would have not been privy to. It is these events which gives the author the first hand account of what was really happening in Iran in the years leading up to the revolution in 1979. The book is aptly named which becomes apparent after its reading.

This book details modern Iran from the vantage point of citizens of Tehran and Shiruz. It goes over perceptions ranging from cultural (Islamic rule, women's rights) to political (Shah, American involvement, and the Islamic Revolution). For Americans concerned about current US policy towards Iran, this is a must read.

I got this book because I knew nothing about the status/history of Iran, especially the plight of women there...and because I wanted to impress an Iranian woman

Although it was a bit of a slog, I found it fascinating to read about the years of and just after the revolution. I'd like to find another book like this that covers the last 20 years! She was actually on the plane that brought the Ayatollah Khomeini back to Iran as the revolution began! And she does an unprecedented job of taking us inside the homes and minds of women in Iran.

This is a well written book that really brings out the complications of life in Iran. It blows away the stereotypes we generally have for these people. Of course, recent changes make the information dated but it was a great glimpse into a world I did not know existed.

A compelling and well researched book on events that contributed to the collapse of US relations with Iran.