Wednesday, November 3, 2021

AP publishes new book on first prominent civilian executed in Iranian Revolution

 Originally posted on AP.org


The Associated Press has published a new book on a transformative business and civic leader who became the first prominent civilian executed in the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Titan of Tehran: From Jewish Ghetto to Corporate Colossus to Firing Squad - My Grandfather’s Life" is a deeply reported biography recounting the life and death of Habib Elghanian, a self-made industrialist and well-known figure in Iran’s Jewish community. It also brings Iran’s modern-day economic, political and social problems into focus.

Written by his granddaughter, former AP photo editor Shahrzad Elghanayan, the book reconstructs and chronicles Elghanian’s ascent from Tehran’s Jewish quarter – “the edge of the pit” – to his business success, which was instrumental in modernizing the country, to fatefully facing a firing squad. Parts of the book read like passages in a thriller, while exploring universal themes of loss and longing, belonging and identity.

“We are very proud to bring to light an in-depth accounting of the events that occurred before and after this injustice,” said Peter Costanzo, AP director of programming. “The author’s commitment to ensure her grandfather’s legacy is portrayed accurately and not forgotten is palpable and woven throughout the book.”

“Titan of Tehran” serves as a monument to a man who might have disappeared in the mists of history, even though his execution was reported worldwide on newspaper front pages and in broadcast news reports.

The book features a foreword by Pulitzer Prize winner and former AP correspondent Charles J. Hanley and more than 60 photographs from the AP Images archives, the author’s personal collection and other sources.

“Titan of Tehran” is now available wherever books are sold.


About AP

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day. Online: www.ap.org.

Contact

Lauren Easton
Global Director of Media Relations and Corporate Communications
The Associated Press
212-621-7005
leaston@ap.org

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