Synopses & Reviews
As the Western-Iranian impasse continues to dominate international affairs, politicians and the media confidently proclaim Iran the greatest threat to the Western World. But this villainous mask obscures a far more complex identity formed by a vibrant and tumultuous history.
Revealing the true face of this troubled country, acclaimed expert Homa Katouzian delves deep into Irans past, exploring how an ancient civilization at a cross-road of diverse dynasties and religions grew to become an ethnically, linguistically and culturally rich nation still bound by the Persian tradition. Major political events and key figures are brought to life as centuries of authoritarian and arbitrary rule, chaos and revolution are unraveled and analyzed, shedding new light on modern Iran and making this an indispensable resource for understanding the current situation in the Middle East.
Synopsis
World-renowned Iranian expert Homa Katouzian presents the first comprehensive introduction to one of the world's most controversial and misunderstood countries
Since the 1979 revolution, Iran has been locked in conflict with the United States and Europe. Personified in the West by a series of bogeymen from Ayatollah Khomeini to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, this villainous mask obscures a far more complex identity, forged by a vibrant and chaotic history.
Revealing the country's true face, acclaimed expert Homa Katouzian delves deep into Iran's past, exploring how an ancient civilization at a crossroads of diverse dynasties and religions grew to become an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally rich nation. Centuries of arbitrary rule and revolution - from the first Persian empires to the Green Movement - are brought to life as Katouzian offers fresh insight into this fascinating country. Asking where its future may lie post-Arab Spring, this is the perfect primer for understanding a country characterized by constant flux and controversy.
About the Author
Homa Katouzian is Research Fellow at the Iran Heritage Foundation at St Antonys College, and the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. He is the author of
The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval And Modern Iran and
Iran: Politics, History And Literature, and editor of the journal
Iranian Studies. He lives in Oxford, U.K.