AN AMERICAN MARTYR IN PERSIA with REZA ASLAN

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
| Location of Session: Russell Hill Rogers Tent
Adult Sessions

Start of Signing: 4:45 pm
| Signing Location: Festival Marketplace

My Schedule

About the Event

A century ago, an American Christian missionary–Howard Baskerville–set off for Iran. Little did he know that, years later, there would be statues in Iran commemorating him as a martyr after he died fighting for the Iranian revolution. Did it matter that he was American and Christian and had arrived on his own mission? Reza Aslan’s new biography, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Life of Howard Baskerville sheds light on Iran’s history and American Iranian relations.

This session will be live streamed on YouTube.

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About the Author

Photo Credit: Peter Konerko

Reza Aslan

Reza Aslan is a leading expert in world religions. He is also a renowned writer, professor, and an Emmy- and Peabody-nominated producer. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Award, Aslan is the author of three internationally bestselling books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. His producing credits include the acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers. Aslan is the host and executive producer of two other original television programs: Rough Draft with Reza Aslan on Topic, and CNN’s documentary series, Believer. He is also the co-host of the podcast Metaphysical Milkshake. His latest book is An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville.

Moderator

Gilbert Garcia

Gilbert Garcia is a metro columnist for the San Antonio Express-News. He is a native of Brownsville, Texas, with more than 25 years experience writing for daily and weekly newspapers. A graduate of Harvard University, he has won awards for his reporting on politics, music, religion and sports. He is the author of the 2012 book, Reagan’s Comeback: Four Weeks in Texas That Changed American Politics Forever, published by Trinity University Press. One of his feature stories also appeared in the national anthology, Da Capo Best Music Writing 2001.