Nick Berg Press Kit
Media Resources for Shadows of Tehran
This is the official Nick Berg Press Kit for Media and Press, the author of Shadows of Tehran. Download materials for media coverage, interviews, and promotional purposes.
Nick Berg Press Kit Short Bio
From Iranian Rebel to U.S. Special Forces: The Extraordinary Journey Behind the Author of Shadows of Tehran
Nick Berg is an Iranian-American author whose life story is marked by resilience and transformation. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and an American father, he experienced firsthand the cultural richness and political upheavals of post-revolutionary Iran. These formative experiences deeply influenced his worldview and literary voice.
After relocating to the United States, Berg served in U.S. Special Operations. Following an injury, he transitioned into a successful career as a tech executive. His debut novel, Shadows of Tehran, draws heavily from his personal journey, weaving a narrative that explores themes of identity, survival, and redemption through the protagonist, Ricardo .
Beyond writing, Berg is actively involved in public speaking and coaching, focusing on topics like diversity, military history, and servant leadership. He is also a music enthusiast, finding creativity and renewal in producing electronic music .
Nick Berg Press Kit Long Bio
Marked for Death in Iran, Forged in War: The Making of Nick Berg
Nick Berg is an Iranian-American author, former U.S. Special Operations soldier, and tech executive whose life story embodies resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to service. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and an American father, Berg’s early years were shaped by the rich cultural tapestry of Iran and the political upheavals that marked the region.
During the tumultuous period following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Berg experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating a society in flux. These formative experiences deeply influenced his worldview and later became the foundation for his literary work.
After relocating to the United States, Berg served in U.S. Special Operations, immersing himself in one of the world’s most demanding military environments. His time in service not only tested his physical and mental limits but also deepened his understanding of loyalty, sacrifice, and the human will to endure.
Following an injury, Berg transitioned from military life to the tech industry, where he built a successful career as a tech executive. Yet, his passion for storytelling never waned. Drawing from his diverse experiences, he penned his debut novel, Shadows of Tehran, a fictionalized account that mirrors his own journey through themes of identity, survival, and redemption.
Beyond writing, Berg is actively involved in public speaking and coaching, focusing on topics such as cultural identity, military history, and resilience. He also supports veteran initiatives, sharing his journey with audiences who connect with his story of perseverance and adaptation.
In his personal life, Berg finds solace and creativity in producing electronic music, viewing it as another avenue for expression and renewal.
Through his multifaceted career and personal endeavors, Nick Berg continues to bridge cultural divides and inspire others, proving that even in the face of adversity, a new path can always be forged.
Nick Berg Press Kit Book Description Short
Based on a True Survival Story Forged in the Fires of Revolution and War
Shadows of Tehran is a gripping novel inspired by the true story of Nick Berg, who grew up under the shadow of the Iranian regime and rose to become a U.S. Special Operations operator.
Blending fact with fiction, this powerful narrative follows Ricardo, a defiant young rebel marked as the number one target of Iran’s secret police. As the regime closes in, he must escape across borders, survive brutal military selection, and confront the ghosts of his past on foreign soil.
It’s a story of survival, resilience, and the search for identity when the world wants you erased.
Nick Berg Press Kit Book Description Long
From Number One on Iran’s Hitlist to the Ranks of U.S. Special Forces — A Story of Survival, Resilience, and Reckoning
Shadows of Tehran is a brutally honest and emotionally charged novel inspired by the true story of Nick Berg, an Iranian-American who defied a regime, escaped death, and fought his way into the most elite ranks of the U.S. military.
At the center of this gripping story is Ricardo, a half-Iranian, half-American teenager who refuses to conform to the oppressive ideology of post-revolutionary Iran. Labeled a threat to the regime, he becomes the number one target of the secret police — hunted in his own country, with nowhere to hide. Escaping Iran under the cover of darkness, Ricardo lands in the U.S., where he must navigate a new world, haunted by trauma and shaped by violence.
But survival is only the beginning. Fueled by anger, purpose, and an unshakable will, he joins the U.S. military — not just to fight for freedom, but to earn it. What follows is a raw and unfiltered journey through the brutal world of Special Forces selection, war-torn missions, and the invisible wounds of survival.
More than a tale of war or rebellion, Shadows of Tehran is about what it means to be forged in conflict — to lose everything, and to fight for something more. It’s a story for anyone who has stared down power, endured the unendurable, and lived to write the next chapter.
Key Themes
For journalists, reviewers, podcast hosts, and media professionals
The following key topics reflect the core themes, angles, and real-world relevance of Shadows of Tehran.
They are included to support media coverage, interviews, and story development around the book and its author.
These topics align with Nick Berg’s personal journey and the cultural, political, and psychological depth of the novel.
Core Themes
in Shadows of Tehran
- Survival under authoritarian rule
- The Iranian Revolution and its human cost
- Being number one on Iran’s hitlist
- Cross-cultural identity (Iranian-American perspective)
- Escape from persecution
- Military transformation & Special Operations selection
- Trauma, resilience, and post-conflict recovery
- Freedom, loyalty, and the cost of defiance
- Silent wounds of veterans
- The moral ambiguity of war and service
Relevant Topics for Media Discussions
- The core themes of Shadows of Tehran and the exploration of how our mindset, rather than our circumstances, is what defines us
- Strength of a Survivor: How one's reaction to events can define them as either being a survivor or a victim
- Fact vs Fiction: What does the military look like outside of the typical violence depicted on the big screen
- Nick’s own experience growing up in Iran and being a part of the Iranian revolution
- How did the Iranian revolution influence today's Iran as we know it?
- Nick’s personal experience coming from Iran to the U.S. and joining the U.S. military
- The experience writing fiction based on his own life story
- Tips for writing authentically human experiences
Media Coverage Highlights
Reviews
Nick Berg Press Kit Reviews
Nick Berg Press Kit Contacts
Media Contacts
Smith Publicity Inc.
- Katie Schnack
- [email protected]
- Rachel Fischer
- [email protected]