In 'Then They Came For Me', journalist Maziar Bahari chronicles his harrowing experience of imprisonment in Iran following the controversial 2009 presidential election. Intertwining his personal narrative with the broader political upheaval, Bahari reveals the psychological and physical torment faced by dissidents. The book's vivid storytelling sheds light on the fragile balance between hope and despair in the fight for freedom. As Bahari navigates through his darkest days, he confronts the essence of truth and resistance against tyranny. This poignant memoir challenges readers to consider the cost of silence and the power of courage in the face of oppression.
By Maziar Bahari
Published: 2013
"The silence of oppression is louder than the cries for freedom."
Maziar Bahari left London in June 2009 to cover Iran’s contested presidential elections for Newsweek magazine. He thought he’d be returning in just a few days to Paola, his pregnant fiancée. Instead, he was incarcerated under false charges of espionage in Iran’s most notorious prison. His release came four months later, only after a global campaign supported by Hillary Clinton. While suffering regular beatings, forced confessions, and threats of execution, Bahari draws strength from the experiences of his family in the past: his father was imprisoned by the shah in the 1950s, and his sister by Ayatollah Khomeini in the 1980s. Exposing the contradictions at the heart of Ahmadinejad’s paranoid regime, this inspiring and often witty story of one family’s courage in the face of repression is also a beautifully written portrait of modern Iran.
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“The silence of oppression is louder than the cries for freedom.”
Then They Came For Me
By Maziar Bahari
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Maziar Bahari is an Iranian-Canadian journalist and author, notable for his courageous reporting and insightful commentary on political and social issues in Iran. His works include the memoir 'Then They Came for Me,' which chronicles his experiences during his imprisonment in Iran, and 'A Memoir of My Father,' that reflects on his father's life and their relationship amidst the backdrop of Iran's turbulent history. Bahari's writing is characterized by its poignant narrative style, blending personal experiences with broader sociopolitical commentary, offering a compelling perspective on human rights and freedom of expression.
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