Zehbel: The Clever One: Mercenary To the Shah (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781480094970)

Michael Roman worked as a RADAR, Navigational Aid and Communication Specialist for the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA/USAF) in the United States, Pakistan and Iran, then as an advisor to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications, Electronics and Meterology in the Imperial Iranian Air Force - the highest position held by an American working for the IIAF. He and his family - his wife, Lucretia, a registered nurse, and their seven children - lived in Iran for ten years. When they returned to the States in 1976, they carried the memories, language and customs of Iranian culture into a new life in southeast Pennsylvania. When Michael retired from the FAA in 2007, he sat down to write the story of their years abroad. Zehbel: The Clever One is the result. Iranians referred to Michael as Zehbel, the clever man who could solve any problem. But many resented his intelligence and the powerful position he held; in addition to designing surface radar surveillance equipment for air force bases all over Iran, Michael controlled the approval of contracts for the Imperial Iranian Air Force. When Michael's wife and children read his stories, they were shocked at the sheer number of assassination attempts he had escaped. He kept most of these incidents from his family, while they enjoyed a comfortable life in Teheran, attending the Teheran American School, going to Scout camp, swimming parties at the Officer's Club -- typical American activities alongside a thorough immersion into Iranian life. In recent years, Michael has spoken to civic groups and local universities about his experiences. He is an engaging speaker, at ease with his audience. Michael is active in his community and church, and a dedicated patriarch to his expanding family of seven children, twenty-six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. You can find out more about Michael's experiences on his blog: http: //www.zehbel.wordpress.com