The following is the second of three exclusive excerpts for Iranian.com from journalist Afshin Molavi’s newly released paperback, The Soul of Iran: A Nation’s Journey

The following is the first excerpt from Afshin Molavi’s updated paperback, the Soul of Iran: A Nation's Journey to Freedom, first published in late 2002

From the introduction to Afshin Molavi's Persian Pilgrimages: Journeys Across Iran, (W.W Norton, 2002). Molavi has reported on Iran for Reuters and the Washington Post.

Like a rock star performing before adoring fans, President Mohammad Khatami took to the stage on Sunday, offering his familiar, much-loved tunes of democracy, freedom,