Iran: A Modern History

Description

A masterfully researched history of Iran from 1501 to 2009 “The defiant spirit of [Iran] is brought to life in this monumental history of the past 500 years.”―Richard Spencer, Times (UK) “A majestic work that goes a long way in unraveling . . . the country’s enigmas and apparent contradictions.”―Ervand Abrahamian, New York Review of Books This history of modern Iran is not a survey in the conventional sense but an ambitious exploration of the story of a nation. It offers a revealing look at how events, people, and institutions are shaped by currents that sometimes reach back hundreds of years. The book covers the complex history of the diverse societies and economies of Iran against the background of dynastic changes, revolutions, civil wars, foreign occupation, and the rise of the Islamic Republic. Abbas Amanat combines chronological and thematic approaches, exploring events with lasting implications for modern Iran and the world. Drawing on diverse historical scholarship and emphasizing the twentieth century, he addresses debates about Iran’s culture and politics. Political history is the driving narrative force, given impetus by Amanat's decades of research and study. He layers the book with discussions of literature, music, and the arts; ideology and religion; economy and society; and cultural identity and heritage. Review: An excellent introduction to modern Iran - A masterpiece that covers not only political and economic history but also changes in many fields. You can get all the basic info about how modern Iran came to be today, and would be expected to have new discussions after reading this. The author provides a scathing assessment of historical events and the subsequent situation in contemporary Iran, especially in the political realm. However he also freely points out that interference from outsiders, including Britain and Russia, was one of the major causes of modern Iran. It's easy to look at Iran as weird or to look at it with scorn. However, Iran hasn't carved out its history alone. At its foundation lies centuries of interaction with its surroundings, for better or for worse. This is a good writings reminds us that the history of a country or a community isn't only always a series of choices it makes, but also at the same time it cannot develop independently of its surroundings. Review: a great reference book t - In browsing the book I found new ways of looking at the history that has been the trend in the past and one can see the realities better.