(Part I)

From Tehran to Caracas

This two-volume book compiles memories of Manouchehr Farmanfarmayan, one of the first graduates of petroleum engineering in Iran. What specifically makes this book interesting is that Farmanfarmayan is not only a historian outside Iran’s petroleum industry, but also he relates the story of oil in Iran from the viewpoint of a spectator.

Due to the numerous posts he held at Iran’s petroleum industry in Pahlavi era, the author has recounted his memories in extended details. Among books written on the history of oil, rarely is found a book containing memories. That is an outstanding feature of "From Caracas to Tehran". The book familiarizes readers with lots of details on the petroleum industry’s economic and political developments dating from the Pahlavi era. Farmanfarmayan held three key posts under the Pahlavi regime: head of Oil and Concessions Administration, deputy head of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for sales, Board member at International Petroleum Consortium.

From Petroleum to Story

It is common knowledge that the story of oil in Iran and the emergence of the petroleum industry pertains to southern Iran, specifically Masjid Soleyman. Today, National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) is the largest producer of oil in Iran. The heart of Iran’s petroleum industry is beating in NISOC-run areas. Discovery of oil and development and expansion of associated industries did not have specifically technological impacts; rather it left widespread social, cultural and artistic impacts on southern and southwestern Iran. Authored by Shabnam Hatampour, From Petroleum to Story highlights a key aspect of the impact of the petroleum industry on the culture and art of NISOC-run areas. With a historical and analytical view, the book seeks to show how writers from southern Iran have described oil. Although it pertains to storytelling, the book offers a historical view of oil storytelling in southern Iran. This book would be attractive to story lovers.

Mr. Rahbar

Gholam-Reza Rahbar was a journalist, reporter, documentary writer and host at Abadan National Oil Radio. Qassem Hosseini has sought to offer a collection of memories of colleagues of Rahbar. The highly interesting point about Mr. Rahbar is that the history of the petroleum industry is visible between the lines of memories. The book recounts the history of the petroleum industry based on what was told by those involved in it. The details of this history have been related precisely and technically. The book familiarizes readers with the world of petroleum industry staff and one of the most renowned martyred employees of the petroleum industry in the country. In describing collection of memories, the author puts it as follows: “In order to preserve the historical continuity, I have tried to put together the memories chronologically in a bid to offer a linear account of Gholam Reza Rahbar, from life to martyrdom. Some of these memories were undated. I managed to discover the date of some of memories based on the context; however, some memories remained undated. In the final edition, I sought to match them.”

Failed Reformism

The book "Failed Reformism; Theoretical Analysis of National Oil Movement and Mossadeq Democratic Government" has been authored by Abbas Naeimi. The historical-analytical book focuses on the views of Dr Mossadeq and his administration officials. While talking into account facts and events, this book seeks to examine and analyze the method of governance, as well as socio-political actions of Mossadeq and his allies from the viewpoint of history of thinking. Although the author properly concludes that Mossadeq’s movement failed to reform social and economic affairs of the country under Pahlavi II, the main issue in the book is its proper knowledge and perception of this failure. It focuses more than the actions and reactions of influential forces in the oil nationalization movement than the circumstances and personalities of influential persons involved in the movement. The book provides significant analyses whose study would offer an analytical and intellectual history. At first glance it may sound boring, but as you go ahead you will see the deeper layers of a period of Iran’s history.

Firefighters, Unregistered Soldiers

The book of oral history has sought to offer an account of the activity of firefighters working in NISOC-run regions to display the chronology of the presence of these forces in Iran’s petroleum industry in various periods. Oil firefighters have registered memorable periods in history. Those interested in learning about their activities are recommended to read the book to learn about sweet and bitter memories. The book’s overleaf reads: “The book is categorized under the Iranian petroleum industry’s oil history. Nasser Sa'di, former head of the Department of Safety and Firefighting of Gachsaran Oil and Gas Production Company, relates his memories and experiences in three sections: The first section contains memories about the presence of foreign companies in Iran up to the time of Islamic Revolution; the second section covers the era starting from the Imposed War to post-war reconstruction; and the third section is about the post-war events until 2011.”

Oil Strikes and Islamic Revolution

In the run-up to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a highly significant event was instrumental in the victory of the national revolt. Iranian oil industry strikes were such influential on the Islamic Revolution developments that they disrupted all calculations of the Pahlavi dynasty and its international backers. Printed by the Islamic Revolution Documents Center, "Oil Strikes and Islamic Revolution" is a valuable collection of documents and correspondence of that period and that big event. The book describes chronologically the strike by Iranian oil industry staff. The regime’s reactions at the local and central levels have been also explained. The book is specifically recommended to those interested in history. Some letters and documents are such interesting that the reader would have the impression of watching a documentary.

Courtesy of Iran Petroleum