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The Rest Is HistoryJanuary 22, 2026
637. Revolution in Iran: Rise of the Ayatollah (Part 2)
About This Episode
What set off the final uprisings of the Iranian Revolution, against the last Shah of Iran, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi? Would President Jimmy Carter and America back the Shah’s forbidding opponent, the firebrand, Ayatollah Khomeini? And, why would the Revolution prove to be one of the most pivotal events in recent history? Join Dominic and Tom, as they discuss the final fall of Iran’s last Shah, America’s response, and the rising power of the revolutionary Ayatollah Khomeini, and his radical new vision for the governance of Iran… _______ Become a member today and join us at The Rest Is History Festival at Hampton Court Palace on the 4th and 5th of July 2026. This is a members-only event. Join the Athelstans for guaranteed entry or become a Friend of the Show to enter the ballot. You'll also get ad-free listening, bonus episodes, exclusive mini-series and more. Sign up now at therestishistory.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude
Book Mentions
4 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to booksTip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.
Books Mentioned
Revolution in Iran
Michael Axworthy
“Michael Axworthy, in his book, Revolution in Iran, says even if the Shah had not been ill, what would he have done? Where is the magic wand that would have sorted things out?”
ASIN: N/A
Search on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Wretched of the Earth
Frantz Fanon
“The Ayatollah is keen on a Quranic phrase, the disinherited of the earth, which echoes the title of Frantz Fanon's book that came out in 1961, and is really the foundational text of the Quranic book.”
ASIN: N/A
Search on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.

A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind
Michael Axworthy
“In Michael Axworthy's book, he says, these two elements of the revolution are always in tension, not just in the early days, but actually throughout the history of the Islamic regime to the present.”
ASIN: 0465098762
Buy on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.

Rabbit is Rich
John Updike
“John Updike wrote a book called Rabbit is Rich, one of his rabbit novels, set in 1979. His everyman character, Harry Angstrom, is always whinging about inflation.”
ASIN: N/A
Search on AmazonClick the book cover image to open the affiliate link.