"Shattered Peacock" follows the story of Iran's Persian citizens
after Shah Pahlavi's downfall and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini's
theocratic government. Remnants of 1979's cataclysmic event 
continue to make Iran dangerous even today.

Writing "Peacock" was an opportunity to step into a foreign culture,
an ancient culture in a dire crisis. Consider that true Persian dynastic
rule began with King Cyrus, known as Cyrus the Great, who was born between
590-580 BC. This wise man can be found in the book of Ezra in the Hebrew
Bible (or Old Testament), where he is lauded as a just ruler.

It wasn't that Cyrus didn't conquer cultures and peoples, but that he did
allow them to keep their land, their customs and religions, which restored
hope to the Jews who were living under oppression.
Many rulers came and went for more than 2000
years. Persia's fortunes waxed and waned. Then
in 1979, a great upheaval swept Mohammad
Reza Shah Pahlavi from the Peacock throne.
The Islamic Republic was born beneath
the thumb of Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini,
and the world was unalterably changed.

Throughout history, it's usually the poorest 
citizens or specific ethnic groups who are
forced to flee the persecution they face in
their countries. However, in 1979, it was
the educated, the pro-Western and the wealthy
people who had to run for their lives. The greatest minds of Iran
emigrated to the United States and Europe, leaving behind a vacuum in what
was a storied civilization. "Shattered Peacock" explores this phenomenon.
If you enjoy history, you'll savor the accuracy of "Shattered Peacock."
If you enjoy a personal, exciting and thought-provoking book, you'll 
discover one that's ripe for discussion in a book club.