Biography as Cultural Diplomacy: Cold War Best Sellers in the Middle East

Abstract Book diplomacy, as a form of cultural diplomacy, deserves more scholarly attention. The United States’ Franklin Book Programs (1952–78) is a prime example of Cold War book diplomacy that aimed at indigenous publishing in developing countries and countering Soviet propaganda campaigns. This article examines the microhistory of two of Franklin’s earliest and most successful publications in Cairo and Tehran: This I Believe and Lives of Poor Boys Who Became Famous . It aims to assess how these books achieved success amid the Middle East’s tense environment and the then-low literacy rates in Egypt and Iran. The analysis includes examining the production and reception processes of these books, illustrating the crucial role of translation and adaptation in their success. By focusing on state and non-state actors and their public-private network, it demonstrates the value of microhistory in presenting a nuanced view of Cold War book diplomacy.