Daughter of Persia: A Woman's Journey from Her Father's Harem Through the Islamic Revolution

As founder in 1958 of the Tehranok/per book School of Social Work, Sattareh naively believed, ``If one only avoided politics, one could achieve something constructive.'' After two decades of humanitarian efforts in Iranian family planning, day care, vocational programs and aid to the poor and prisoners' families, she was arrested in 1979 by Khomeini's machine-gun-toting teenage minions. Branded an ``imperialist,'' she narrowly escaped execution and now lives in the U.S. The 15th of 36 children, Sattareh revered and feared her ``all-powerful'' father, a prince and governor. This dramatic if restrained autobiography, written with freelancer Munker, describes her patriarchal upbringing and her education at UCLA. She belatedly realized that ``keeping our mouths shut let the Shah do what he wanted.'' Her memoir is actually most effective as a political document. She powerfully condemns the Eisenhower-backed coup that toppled democratic premier Mossadegh and installed ruthless dicatator Reza Shah Pahlavi, whose fascist secret police were trained and financed by the CIA. The Shah's corrupt, unjust regime, she graphically demonstrates, fueled explosive resentment that found an outlet in Khomeini's fanaticism. (Feb.)