Maziar Bahari

Maziar Bahari is an Iranian-Canadian journalist, filmmaker, and human rights activist who gained international attention after his imprisonment by the Iranian government in 2009. His experience as a political prisoner formed the basis of his bestselling memoir "Then They Came for Me," which was later adapted into the film "Rosewater" directed by Jon Stewart. As a longtime correspondent for Newsweek from 1998 to 2011, Bahari covered significant events in Iran and the Middle East. After his release from prison, he established several influential platforms including IranWire, a citizen journalism news site, and the advocacy organization Journalism Is Not A Crime. Born in Tehran in 1967, Bahari comes from a family with a history of political dissidence - his father was imprisoned by the Shah's regime, and his sister by the revolutionary government. He relocated to Canada in 1988, completing his education at Concordia University before embarking on his career in journalism and filmmaking. Bahari continues his work as an advocate for press freedom and human rights, combining journalism with activism through various initiatives and organizations. His story has become emblematic of the struggles faced by journalists working under authoritarian regimes.

Readers appreciate Bahari's personal account of his 118-day imprisonment in Iran's Evin Prison in "Then They Came for Me." Reviews highlight his ability to balance serious subject matter with moments of humor and humanity. Positives from reviews: - Clear, journalistic writing style - Provides context about Iranian politics and culture - Effective use of family history to frame events - Maintains suspense despite known outcome Common criticisms: - Some sections move slowly - Middle chapters become repetitive - Political details can overwhelm personal narrative Review Stats: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (190+ reviews) "His ability to find glimpses of hope in such darkness sets this apart," notes one Amazon reviewer. Others mention the book helps humanize Iran beyond headlines. A minority of reviews criticize the pacing: "Could have been shorter without losing impact," writes a Goodreads user.

Then They Came for Me: A Family's Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival A memoir detailing Bahari's 118 days of imprisonment in Iran's Evin Prison in 2009, his family history of political persecution, and his experiences as a journalist covering Iranian politics and society.

Ryszard Kapuściński His work as a foreign correspondent in Iran and other countries produced firsthand accounts of revolutions and social change. His literary journalism style combines reporting with personal narrative, similar to Bahari's approach in documenting political upheaval.

Houshang Asadi As an Iranian journalist imprisoned in Tehran's Evin Prison, he wrote about his experiences in "Letters to My Torturer." His memoir parallels Bahari's account of imprisonment and survival under the Iranian regime.

Anna Politkovskaya She reported extensively on the Second Chechen War and faced persecution for her work exposing government abuses. Her books document her experiences as a journalist working under an authoritarian system while advocating for human rights.

Liu Xiaobo The Nobel Peace Prize winner wrote about his experiences as a dissident and political prisoner in China. His writings combine personal narrative with political analysis, documenting his struggle against state oppression.

Robert Fisk His extensive coverage of the Middle East as a journalist included reporting from Iran and neighboring countries during critical historical periods. His work focuses on first-person accounts of political conflicts and their impact on civilians.