Pastor Tracy Reads | King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: a Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic Miscalculation by Scott Anderson

January 2, 2026 | Pastor Tracy Troxel

It is hard to believe that from 1953 until the Islamic Revolution in 1979 the United States and Iran viewed themselves as allies and partners in the Middle East. Scott Anderson traces the depressing history of America’s relationship with Iran and how it all unraveled in the Islamic Revolution. You will see the dangers of religious nationalism. It is also clear that experts in foreign affairs can be so blind to what is occurring in the world. Today, as the Middle East continues to roil in conflict, it is important for us to understand how we have arrived at the present situation with Iran.  Reading this will force you to think more humbly about international relationships. The lessons of leadership failure, both in Iran and the United States, during the second half of the 20th century need to be learned and relearned. As my history teacher at university constantly reminded us, “The only thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.” This book reads like a novel as Anderson expertly pieces together in dramatic fashion. Unfortunately, it is not just an engrossing narrative, it really happened. And the consequences of so many missteps continue to impact Iran, the Middle East and the world.

Pastor Tracy Troxel