Text in Persian. This book is both a memoir of his role in the history of twentieth century Iran and a 2,500 year history of the Iranian people's struggle against foreign invasion. His professional life spans sixty years of Iranian history. He gives an intimate account of notable individuals and events which he has personally witnessed. He relates his up-close impressions of notable personalities of Iranian history including the Shah, Mohammad Mossadegh and Ayatollah Khomeini. Because of his steadfast loyalty to Iran and its constitution, Colonel Tavakoli has been imprisoned seven times, both under the monarchy and under the Islamic Republic. The first time was in 1953, when he was jailed for seven months because of his loyalty to Mohammad Mossadegh. The last time was forty years later, when he was jailed for having defended the American Embassy in Tehran at the dawn of the Iranian Revolution. In his memoirs, Colonel Tavakoli relates the inside details of the revolution, his assumption of the leadership of the Iranian military and his talks and relations with leaders of the new government including extensive meetings with the Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini.