{"product_id":"descendants-of-cyrus-travels-through-everyday-iran-9781640120372","title":"Descendants of Cyrus: Travels Through Everyday Iran","description":"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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eDescendants of Cyrus\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A firsthand look at one of the least understood and yet most politically significant countries on earth, \u003ci\u003eDescendants of Cyrus\u003c\/i\u003e taps into the hidden pulse of a culture and a generation that promises to reshape Iran in a way few Westerners can anticipate. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Potomac Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/01\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781640120372\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 360\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.50lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.37h x 6.51w x 1.27d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/29\/2019\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Christopher Thornton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36663896965276,"sku":"9781640120372","price":42.46,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_a2cfc28c-c902-4c5b-a589-6aec00e06953.jpg?v=1603905319","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/descendants-of-cyrus-travels-through-everyday-iran-9781640120372","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}