Super Short Summary

Shah of Shahs by Ryszard Kapuściński recounts Iran's 20th-century history, leading to the 1979 revolution where Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi was replaced by Ayatollah Khomeini. The book includes a series of essays called "Daguerreotypes," which explore various events and elements like oil, Shi'ism, and the Shah’s secret police, examining why Iranians ultimately revolted. The author details these historical aspects through photographs, notes, and interviews with ordinary Iranians. The revolution was fueled by a combination of oppressive tactics, failed economic policies, and religious movements, culminating in the Shah’s overthrow and Khomeini’s rise. Contains descriptions of violence, torture, and political repression.