Book Two Trailer

Book Two Trailer

Author: String Studios January 15, 2025 Duration: 2:04

Down with the Qajars. Long Live Reza Shah.

Listen to new chapters from January 29th.


As we’re recording this, Iran is experiencing a wide range of issues.

Both internal turmoil and external conflicts. 

But the fascinating thing about this statement is that it doesn’t matter when you’re listening to this podcast. It could be a week from now, a month, or even years.

No matter the time, the above sentence will hold as much truth then as it has now.

Iran is a rather peculiar place. A country with over 2000 years of history that has always been at the center of world events. From the days of the Achaemenid empire and the Persian wars with the Greeks to their Islamic revolution of 1979 and their constant conflict with the West.

Yet, despite this vast history, for many Iranians, no era looms as large as the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite being one of the shortest reigns in Persia’s long history, its legacy remains embedded in the nation’s collective memory.

The last true dynasty to rule Iran.

In book two of The Lion and the Sun, we turn our focus to the Pahlavi dynasty and its founder. A man who rose from obscurity, dismantled an ancient monarchy, and declared himself king; establishing a new order under his name.

Loved by some and reviled by others, his influence on the nation is undeniable, shaping its modern identity.

This season, we delve into the life of Reza Shah: his meteoric rise to power, the sweeping changes he brought to Iran, his ruthless pragmatism and his ultimate demise.

The second season of The Lion and the Sun begins on January 29 and new chapters will be released every other week.

You can listen to season one here or on all podcast platforms.

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter).
For early access to episodes, become a supporter on Patreon.

The post Book Two Trailer appeared first on The Lion and The Sun Podcast.


The 2025 Signal Award winner for Best History Podcast, The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran from String Studios, explores a past defined by continuous striving for freedom and self-determination. This narrative history podcast moves beyond simple chronology to examine how the potent forces of faith, royal authority, democratic aspiration, and national identity have intertwined to shape the nation's complex journey to the present. Each episode is built on a foundation of meticulous research, delivered as a compelling story. The inaugural season, "Book One: The Qajars," focuses on a pivotal era, detailing the events and personalities behind the Constitutional Revolution that established Iran's first parliament. Listeners will hear a nuanced account of a society in profound transition, where modern ideas clashed with ancient institutions. The podcast carefully untangles these threads, revealing how decisions and movements from over a century ago continue to resonate deeply. It is an essential listen for anyone seeking to understand not just what happened, but why it matters today, offering clarity and context to a history that is often summarized but seldom fully grasped. Through this focused storytelling, the series provides a clear window into the forces that built a modern state.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 35

The Lion and The Sun: A Modern History of Iran
Podcast Episodes
Book Two – Ep.10: Abdication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:05
In the season two finale, Britain and the Soviet Union invade Iran in hopes of a regime change … Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon. Sources for this episode. Episode Summary On A…
Book Two – Ep.9: World War II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:13
As the Second World War breaks out, Iran declares neutrality. But Britain and the Soviet Union fear that Reza Shah’s ties with Germany could tip the balance of power in the Middle East. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or…
Book Two – Ep.8: The Heir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:09
Groomed for power from childhood, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was more than a prince. He was Reza Shah’s guarantee for a successful political project. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon…
Book Two – Ep.7: Unveiling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:47
After his first foreign trip, Reza Shah declares war on Islam and orders women to remove their hijab. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). Support this show on Patreon. Episode Summary The drive for Iran’s mode…
Book Two – Ep.6: Triumvirate (2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
Murder, Banishment and Suicide. As Reza Shah’s rule becomes more authoritarian, the alliance that put him in power comes to a bitter end. Listen to part one here. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok or X (Twitter). Support th…
Book Two – Ep.5: Triumvirate (1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:15
Behind the Pahlavi dynasty were three politicians: the kingmakers who orchestrated Reza Khan’s rise and shaped his rule. But as Reza Shah tightened his grip on power, this alliance of three faced exile, prison, and death…
Book Two – Ep.4: AIOC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:08
A torn-out contract, a paranoid shah, and Iran’s most lucrative resource. With Iran’s oil deal up for renewal, Reza Shah clashes with the British and grows suspicious of his closest allies. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok…
Book Two – Ep.3: God, Shah, Nation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:55
A new king, a unified nation, and a country on the brink of transformation. As Reza Shah Pahlavi seizes power, he reshapes Iran with relentless ambition, even at the cost of its democracy. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok…
Book Two – Ep.2: Constituent Assembly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
In the aftermath of the parliament’s vote to abolish the Qajar dynasty, Reza Khan and his team lay the groundwork for his ascension to the throne and his official coronation as the new king. Follow us on Instagram, TikTo…
Book Two – Ep.1: A New Dynasty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
As Iran’s exiled king prepares to return, the parliament grants Prime Minister sweeping powers. With the help of his rivals, Reza Khan sets out to dismantle the century-old Qajar Dynasty. Book One Recap: Audio, Video Fol…