From the 1940s to 1960s, Iran developed into the world's first 'petro-state', where oil represented the bulk of state revenue and supported an industrializing economy, expanding middle class, and powerful administrative and military apparatus. Drawing on both American and Iranian sources, Gregory Brew outlines how the Pahlavi petro-state emerged from a confluence of forces – some global, some local. He shows how the shah's particular form of oil-based authoritarianism evolved from interactions with American developmentalists, Pahlavi technocrats, and major oil companies, all against the looming backdrop of the United States' Cold War policy and the coup d'etat of August 1953. By placing oil at the centre of the Cold War narrative, Brew contextualises Iran's pro-Western alignment and slide into petrolic authoritarianism. Synthesising a wide range of sources and research methods, this book demonstrates that the Pahlavi petro-state was not born, but made, and not solely by the Pahlavi shah.

‘This is not only a book about great power politics – Brew reveals in gripping detail how internal debates and US pressures over different planning and development strategies determined the oil and foreign policy of Iran. It includes an exciting ‘revisionist' interpretation of Mossadegh's failed attempt to nationalise oil in the early 1950s.'

Giuliano Garavini - Roma Tre University

‘This book tells a compelling story based on impressive multilingual research. In this thoughtful and engaging book, Brew expertly illuminates the connections between US-Iranian relations, the twentieth-century global oil market, and Iranians' struggle to shape their country's economic future.'

Victor McFarland - University of Missouri

‘This is a deeply-researched and original study of American-Iranian relations told through the dual lenses of oil and Iranian development programs. Brew's use of Persian-language materials offers an exemplary model for future scholars. The book makes a significant contribution to the history of US-Iran relations, Cold War-era development, the Pahlavi petro-state, and the global oil industry.'

Kelly Shannon Source: Florida Atlantic University

‘In his fascinating, meticulously-researched book, Gregory Brew demonstrates how US development efforts during the Cold War shaped Iran's political and economic history, challenging grand narratives about US Cold War liberalism. This will be required reading for scholars of US foreign relations, Iranian history, petro-development and critical development studies.'

Karine V. Walther - Georgetown University in Qatar

‘Recommended.’

C. M. Henry Source: Choice