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Customer Reviews (13)

Unbiased? Try again.
This book suffers from the absurd and disproven theory that Modern Judaism is somehow a product of Mazdaean "Influence." The most laughable assertion Axworthy makes is that Mazdaean influence is indicated by the Hebrew Bible's favorable portrayal of the Persians. It couldn't possibly be because Cyrus liberated the Jews and financed the building of their temple. I think it's the other way around. There is probably Judaic influence on Zoroastrianism since Modern Zoroastrianism is essentially Monotheism while ancient was "almost" Monotheism. of course that always depends on who you ask. It would be nice if these fake scholars would stop lying about the Egyptian, Persian or Mitrhaic "roots" of Judaism/Christianity since it is a complete fiction. Educated Westerners of who arestudents of history such as myself generally have a very favorable view of Persia, Persian religion, and Persian culture. Apparently these fake scholars don't give a damn about the fact that their continued dishonesty is offensive to Westerners who admire Iranian history.

An Excellent Introduction, From Pre-History to the Present
This short history covers over three thousand years of history of the Iranian people, and other groups that now inhabit the modern nation of Iran.Naturally, that means it is extremely short on detail.But for the reader who only wants an overview, or an introduction before a more serious study, I recommend this book.

Axworthy speads his focus evenly throughout the various phases of history (as opposed to breezing quickly through ancient empires to get us to the present).I agree with his decision to do so.Many Iranians have a sense of history that makes it necessary to have at least a passing understanding of Iran's pre-Islamic heritage in order to understand modern attitudes.I also believe that pre- and early-Islamic history are interesting in their own right.But for readers who are mainly interested in the modern world, this might not be the best book; Axworthy doesn't start discussing the Pahlavi period until page 221, and spends about 65 pages on the last 100 years.The only other caveat is that the narrative during the early-Islamic period is a little confused.The text on the Umayyad, Abbassid and Seljuk periods is not as clear as what comes before or after.

Regardless, the book is very well written overall.It is accessible to the casual reader.The several maps help create a coherent picture of the ever-shifting historical boundaries.

I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Iran who has little or no background in the country, but it will be an easier read if you have some knowledge of Islamic history.I also recommend following this book up with something more detailed.

An Empire of Many Minds...
Michael Axworthy's excellent 2008 "A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind" covers 3,000 years of Iranian history in less than 300 pages.His approach is sensitive and generally even-handed, reflecting an interest in Iran that in places borders on reverence.The result is a nuanced narrative accessible to the general reader and the student of Iranian affairs.

The sub-title, "Empire of the Mind", conveys the central narrative theme that modern Iran is a product of multiple invasions, whether of men or ideas, that have somehow been assimilated without obliterating Iran's cultural and political continuity.Its many contradictions are the product of a civilization founded by Aryan immigrants from central Asia, that was overrun by Greek, Roman, Arab and other armies, and is now the principal home of the Shia varient of Islam.

Axworthy traces the impact of the various ruling dynasties, but he also pays close attention to the finer aspects of its culture, especially its poetry.Of most interest to this reviewer was his description of the current government, with its interwoven secular and religious strands.

Axworthy, a former foreign service officer, tries to be evenhanded about the nature of the current regime.The corruption and repression revealed by the June 2009 presidential elections reinforces his idea of a regime both brutal and divided.His handling of the ongoing nuclear crisis is less sure; Axworthy probably undersells both Iran's diplomatic stonewalling and its interest in nuclear weapons.

"A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind" is highly recommended as a concise introduction to the country and its idea of its place in the world.

Empire of the mind
This book can be considered a starting point for any newcomer to Iranian history.It is, without a doubt, a major contribution to the popular history genre.While Iran/Persia is one of the great empires, Axworthy implies that it is also an empire of the mind, a virtual empire that transcends the western concept of the geopolitical state.

The book follows Iran's chronological history from pre-Achaemenid times to the present. It is well researched and has extensive footnotes and references allowing the reader to delve into details of any event or subject.Yet, it is eminently readable and has the tone of a lively and informative lecture rather than an erudite tome.

The book binds all the varied elements of Iranian culture (a multi-lingual, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religion mélange of peoples) into a single story line.It provides a factual, but simplified, picture of a multiplicity of societies who consider themselves Iranian regardless of the proclivity of their present governments.The reader is forced to re-evaluate the common notions of Iran as a homogeneous entity and recognize it as a hodgepodge of different groups who are bound by a common belief in the uniqueness of their civilization, culture and history.

Perhaps the greatest contribution of the book is the portrayal of Iranian minorities.It is no small feat to trace their histories in the Iranian context. Yet, as Axworthy implies, it is their historical contributions and continued existence that make Iranian culture unique.It would be a sad day if any government forced uniformity on such a great and diverse culture.

The book does not cover everything (that would require an encyclopedia) but it misses some points.For instance, it discusses the Council of Guardians but does not cover another key element of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic - the Council of Experts.This is the Council that was responsible for appointing Ayatollah Khamenei as "supreme leader", a decision that involved considerable internal debate.Further, in theory, this Council can remove the supreme leader if it finds him unfit to rule.This is no small power considering the current turmoil Iran and is certainly worth mentioning.

As a final note there are a few misstatements in the book.For example, the Qajar dynasty was not removed by a constituent assembly. The Fourth Majlis, using a unique amendment, removed the Qajars and agreed to Reza Khan becoming Reza Shah.

However, in spite of such minor instances, the book is accurate, immensely readable and truly major contribution to Iranian history.

Get it,read it: the unbiased history of Iran.
It's been about 2 months since I received the book but I remember that it arrived in a timely matter and I had not problems with it. I will buy form this seller again. The book is interesting an summarizes a lot of history, however I have not finished it yet. It certainly clears up a lot of vague thoughts and ideas some may have. It is easy to follow I know some Iranian history and culture so I do not know how beneficial it would be for a person who wants to learn Iran's history for the first time but I definitely recommend it to all who want to and can read to read it! ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs, published by Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs on December 1, 2009. The length of the article is 3458 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Regime structure, stability, and elections.(Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses)(Report)
Author: Kenneth Katzman
Publication: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs (Report)
Date: December 1, 2009
Publisher: Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports and Issue Briefs
Page: NA

Article Type: Report

Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning ... Read more

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After the Islamic revolution in Iran, revolutionary leaders had to compromise their ideology. The Iranian ship of state continues to drift in search of an equilibrium between revolutionary convictions and the demands of governance, between religion and state, and Islam and the West. ... Read more

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Iranian president Muhammad Khatami has generated much interest since taking office in August 1997. On the surface, he seems quite different from the Islamic Republic's earlier leaders: He talks about dialogue of civilizations, not about death to America, the Great Satan. But at the same time, under his leadership, Iran has test-fired its first missile with a range that includes much of the Middle East, has maintained its unrelenting hostility toward Israel, and has affirmed its position as the region's leading supporter of terrorism.

The chapters that follow explore the contradictions in Khatami's Iran as well as their implications for U.S. policy. They build upon three earlier Policy Papers issued in 1996-1997: on by David Menashri on Iranian domestic politics, another by Eliyahu Kanovsky on the economy, and a third by Michael Eisenstadt on the military.

In the arena of foreign policy, Khatami has enjoyed his greatest successes. The Europeans and even the United States are searching for an improvement in relations. At a time when the Arab-Israeli peace process is doing poorly, the coalition containing Iraqi president Saddam Husayn is crumbling, and to many in Washington like one country in the region where the U.S. government could achieve diplomatic "breakthrough."

In their updates for this volume, Menashri and Kanovsky show that things are not going so well for Khatami at home. The economy has been hit hard by declining oil prices, compounded by the government's inaction on fixing structural problems. On the political scene, despite Khatami's continuing strong popularity, his conservative opponents have regained their footing and are vigorously competing with him for control over the levers of power.

Unfortunately, as Eisenstadt and Patrick Clawson explain the reality of Khatami's actual influence on policymaking and the prospects for real improvement in U.S.-Iranian relations are not hopeful. Aside from the relatively moderate tone of some official rhetoric, little of substance has changed in the three key areas of concern: support for terrorism, pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and undermining the peace process.

At a time of ferment an change in Iran, the U.S. government needs to consider how to adapt its policies to changing perceptions of Iran, while at the same time holding firm on America’s unswerving goals. We hope that Iran Under Khatami will contribute to a better understanding of how Iran is evolving and how U.S. policy can respond with creativity and ingenuity. ... Read more

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This collection explores the social transformation of Iran, stressing the importance of political culture and ideology. The contributors argue that the Iranian regime has been able to maintain its credibility and the loyalty of the people because it built a legitimate Islamic political culture. They address specific aspects of Iran's political culture, and discuss such topics as the relationship of the individual to society, ``Westoxication,'' Shi'ism, and the Islamization of film culture. ... Read more

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Air pollution in Tehran has become a major problem in recent years, due to the geographical position of the town, industries, and traffic. Most private and public vehicles are old and have no emission control systems. The Municipality of Tehran and the Department of Environment have started several actions to reduce pollution, with communication activities being part of their strategy. For better planning, and to make possible the monitoring and evaluation of the communication activities, a baseline study was completed in 2004 using direct interviews of 1,200 Tehran residents. The interviews covered aspects such as experiences, opions, knowledge, and willingness to act. Use of and trust in several information sources and media were also investigated, in order to select the best communication mix for future activities. ... Read more

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This timely collection of papers by leading academics and prominent government officials sheds new light on the foreign policy of Iran under President Khatami and into the period of President Ahmadinejad. The topics covered include the influence of the Iranian constitution on its foreign policy, Iran's relations with the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and the Arab world, and Iranian involvement in Iraq. ... Read more

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He stands only 5-foot-4 and smiles incessantly. But behind that charismatic persona beats the heart of a genocidal terrorist.

Meet the World’s Most Dangerous Man

In his provocative, well-researched exposé of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock unveils the insidious agenda behind this radical Shiite’s regime:

Ahmadinejad plans to hasten the return of the Islamic messiah
by ushering in his vision of the apocalypse.

His ultimate goal–driven by his fanatical ideology–is to bring the Mahdi, or Twelfth Imam, out of hiding. And he plans to do so by arming his country with nuclear weapons, then exporting the Iranian revolution to the world by destroying Israel and the United States.

But there’s a bizarre twist to Ahmadinejad’s nightmarish intentions: This ardent zealot may well be part of God’s plan to set the stage for a scenario prophesied more than 2,500 years ago. Hitchcock presents compelling evidence that Ahmadinejad’s actions, including his alliances with Russia and many of Iran’s neighbors, have placed his nation–and the world–on a collision course toward the war of Gog and Magog.

Discover the truth about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, his role in biblical prophecy, and what it means for the world–and you.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Opaque Vision Revealed

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is exposed in these pages as a man of vision. Mark Hitchcock, the author of this study in personality, submits the unblinking documentary of that vision, confirming his own assessment that the President of Iran may very well be the most dangerous man in the world.

In a clear, simple recording of the facts, Hitchcock bravely reports what many have feared concerning Iran's present political leader.

Lest any pass off this jarring expose' as mere hyperbole, the author wisely includes Ahmadinejad's personal views from his blog and his letter to then sitting President Bush.

Any attempt to brush away the threat of Islam, and the hate for Israel which drives the leaders of that religion of peace as they foment their hate-filled plans of destruction of Israel first, America second, and all remaining infidels dissolves at this reading.

The only hijacking that has been performed is the forced image, gratis America's media, of radicals skewering a movement of God.

Islam versus Christian doctrine is charted well, literally.

Yet, importantly, Ahmadinejad's vision is revealed.And it is opaque.There is no light here, folks.None.

TL Farley,
author,

When Now Becomes Too Late,
{ The imminent elopement of Jesus and His Bride }

&

Distant Reaches,
{God's Unseen Hand }

A MUST READ!!!!!!!
I know some of what was in this book, but it is great to have it all laid out in clear fashion. What Hitchcock does is tell us a short History of Islam and the two main factions (Sunni and Shiite) and then the importance of the twelvers (part of the shiite faction), of which Iran's leader M, Ahmdinejad is a believer. I wont go into to much detail hear but I think its very important to understand peoples beliefs, because our actions can be predicated by our beliefs.

The twelvers believe that after Mohomid left, there was a secession of 12 (related sucessor's) and the 12th one, disappeared and is hidden and will return. We need to understand that in this view, it is one of world domination. There must be a terrible horrible war, witch Ahmdinejad and other twelvers can help come about, and as the US and Israel are destroyed the 12th Iman or MAHDi can be reveled and bring in world peace under a one world islamic government. OK I did that real quick I urge all of you to read this
book and other sources and get the whole story.

Bad History Mixed With Fear-Mongering Propaganda.
Mark Hitchcock is part of the very disturbing chorus composed of figures such as John Hagee and Tim LaHaye who have created an entire industry of selling books, CDs and videos promoting U.S. imperialism by warning us about Islamic "plans" to conquer the world, or something. His latest, "The Apocalypse Of Ahmadinejad," is a direct shot at the current President of Iran, whom Hitchcock claims is hatching some sort of underground plan to destroy both Israel AND the U.S. to usher in the Islamic equivalent of the Christian Second Coming.

This kind of fantastical alarmism is similar to LaHaye's own writings about Saddam Hussein planning to build a "second Babylon" to usher in the end times, a plan apparently thwarted by the disastrous U.S. invasion of Iraq which LaHaye and Hitchcock feverishly support. Like John Hagee's "In Defense Of Israel," "The Apocalypse Of Ahmadinejad" suffers more from it's basic lack of good history as it does from the radical, almost cultish religious angle. Consider that even in the opening pages Hitchcock admits he's not very well-informed on geopolitics or political/historical matters, something which should already tell the reader something about the book's validity. Hitchock zeroes in on many of Ahmadinejad's more radical, neo-religious comments pertaining to classic Islamic symbols and beliefs, the problem is Hitchock takes them literally, never mentioning that the current Ayatollah of Iran has even limited Ahmadinejad's powers as President due to some of his more looney comments and is reported to be weary of radical stances Ahmadinejad has taken.

Hitchcock also conveniently ignores basic history such as the fact that the Islamic Republic was not born out of some Satanic plan, but because in 1953 we overthrew Iran's elected, very progressive government headed by Mohammed Mossadegh. The CIA overthrew Mossadegh because he nationalized the nation's oil, a big no no to corporate powers such as ours, and then re-instated the very brutal regime of the Shah who in turn was overthrown in 1979 by what became the current government. Hitchcock, like Hagee and LaHaye also dismisses Israeli crimes in the occupied territories or the fact that Israel is the only real nuclear power in the region, instead painting them as the helpless victims surrounded by evil Muslims including those pesky Palestinians who live in a horrific apartheid state.

Hitchcock also backs the imperial occupation of Iraq, accusing Iran of causing trouble in the country, not the foreign army who invaded the place. But it all somehow works for Hitchcock because Muslims are the children of Satan and they want to destroy us because we're Christian and our women wear miniskirts in America. Iran is a very complex nation, it has the second-highest Jewish population in the Middle East and a very strong, Liberal movement gaining more power little by little.

If tensions get worst between the U.S. and Iran it would most likely happen due to the kind of military interventionism Hitchcock reports, one wonders how he would have reacted to the NIE report, where all 16 intelligence agencies of the U.S. concluded that Iran has no nuclear weapons program. And if Iran did arm itself, wouldn't it be logical considering a foreign power is invading it's neighbors and Israel is bent on dominating the region as seen in the brutal war it engaged with Lebanon in 2006? Again, Hitchcock simply dismisses important things like actual history and settles for Biblical code talk, Ahmadinejad's more curious quotes (not more curious than what President Bush says on a daily basis), and a recycled apocalyptic theory. One wonders how historians will look back at the kind of writings the radical fringe of Christian America produced, let us hope it's not for the need of understanding what drove America as a society to an armageddon of her own making.

Ahmadinejad's Own Words
Some might think because this author is a Christian who believes in what the Bible says about the endtimes that he is extreme. He is not.

This book is the actual words of the president of Iran. They reveal his hatred of Israel and the United States and his willingness to destroy both.

No one took Adolf Hitler's words seriously either until it was too late. Let's not repeat history.

The Truth
An excellent, straight forward biblical based analysis of the situation in Iran as it affects all of us. It is well written, easy to understand and shows the relationship of this person and his views against blibical prophecy. ... Read more

Product Description

A quarter of a century on from the revolution of 1979 there is an ongoing political struggle within Iran between traditionalists and modernists, with the ever-younger average age of the population playing a dynamic role. And on the international stage, the big issues remain Iran’s hostility towards Israel and the development of nuclear power in the face of US and international opposition. This is all in addition to the oil question and the strategic interest of Russia, an issue which harks back to the nineteenth century but remains unresolved, as well as Iran’s concern about the proper stewardship of the holy places of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem.

This four-volume collection brings together for the first time the very best and most influential scholarship on the politics of modern Iran. It is an invaluable source of reference for both scholars and students alike, and will allow those developing an interest in Iran quickly and easily to access the highest quality scholarship in the field.

Any understanding of modern Iran must be founded on a firm grasp of the historical context and some of the conceptual issues which underwrite contemporary Iranian politics. Volume I brings together the key work on Iran’s historical inheritance, including articles on religion and culture. Volume II gathers the vital scholarship on the political development of Iran while the third volume assembles materials focused on economic development and the contemporary political economy. The final volume in the collection is organized around Iran’s foreign relations, and includes a special section on the Iran–Iraq War.

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Customer Reviews (4)

needs to learn Persian and use real Persian sources
This book is worth reading, however, it is annoying in places.Brumberg comes off as arrogant and patronizing to his readers; he also puts down other books on the subject that are, in fact, better than his own.Essentially, he seems to think that most other books on the Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran are too simple, falling into two possible categories, while his offers some new level of sophistication, which just is not the case.While he does have some good points and has a compelling overall interpretation, he does not outdo a number of the authors he critizes.Interestingly, those authors have tackled a far wider range of original language sources, while Brumberg relies on translations such as FBIS reports.His lack of Persian skills (which he at least admits) result in a shameless reliance on quotes taken from quoted passages in other books - just look at his footnotes; so many are "quoted in...".The problem here is that thes quotes he uses have been selected by another author, which means Brumberg doesn't have a broader picture.Also, this book is so patronizing attimes: readers do not need a theoretical chapter such as "Multiple Personalities" to explain that an individual's diverse experiences in life can result in his or her having contradictory ideas.Yet, the book is still worth reading, mostly because for all its faults, it offers a nuanced picture of the evolution of the Islamic Republic with some new narrative info. as well.

useful but not without serious flaws
Brumberg's "Reinventing Khomeini" is a useful contribution to the literature on the Islamic Republic - itprovides some important information and offers some insight into how Khomeini's at times contradictory ideas about government led to what Brumberg terms "dissonant institutionalization", namely the competing instituions and ideologies that have helped create the crisis in Iran today.However, the book has serious flaws, and its importance is in part due to the small number of books on post-Khomeini Iran (see Mehdi Moslem's new book and Nikki Keddie's 2003 updated book, Modern Iran) The first problem is that it is overwritten and relies too heavily on theories of authority and charisma.The author's argument could have been made without repeated, lengthy discussion of Weber et All.Second, the author has too high an opinion of his own work, claiming that all other interpretations fall into two categories of interpreting political power (symbolic and instrumental).On p. 41 he even claims that his work "transcends" that of other, excellent contributions.Brumberg claims his interpretation is the most nuanced while other authors fall into these categories when in fact many of the works he critizes are not as monolithic as he states - so, while Haggay Ram might provide an "instrumentalist" interpretation of propaganda in speeches, it is unfair to claim that Ram thinks that the speeches were nothing but propaganda and that the clerics did not themselves believe them.Finally, Brumberg relies too heavily on other people's translations of Persian sources - he even admits that he required help reading the Persian sources he uses - which severly limits his purview.One gets the impression that his reliance on theory is a substitute for in inability to discuss more primary sources with greater authority. Finally, while Brumberg has a good grounding in Iranian history, he makes some flawed assesement on basic facts - so, when accounting for the timing of Khomeini's open opposition to the Shah in 1963 Brumberg hardly mentions that this new path was in part opened because of the death of the highest ranking cleric, the Marja-e Taqlif and Ayatollah Borujerdi in 1961, who disapproved of clerics' involvement in politics.This book is useful and worth reading - esp. the second half - but cannot be considered definitive in any way. Interested readers should also read Mehdi Moslem's new book "Factional Politics in Post-Khomeini Iran", which based on a far wider range of sources.

Shows the roots of modern Iranian politics
This book's title could be misleading if one assumes this work is a revisionist biography of Ayatollah Khomeini.However, it is not the author who is doing the reinventing, but rather Iranians themselves, as different political factions draw on different aspects of Khomeini's life and thought to justify their agenda.

Brumberg draws heavily on social science in his analysis, which means this could be a tough slog for the casual reader.He traces the development, first of Khomeini's own ideas about government and religion, and then how these ideas influenced different political groups after the revolution, such as President Khatami's reform movement.

Readers of this work will see an Islamic Republic far more dynamic than the one usually portrayed in the media, and see how, far from being a struggle between a true, hard-line Khomeinism and Westernized reformers, the reformers themselves look to Khomeini as a guide, and Khomeini was heavily influenced by the West.This is a must-read for all who wish to understand Iran today.

Complex and Reavealing But Not Polemical
Far from reducing the Islamic Republic of Iran to some kind of timeless expression of Islamic culture, tradition, or identity, the author demonstrates the competing ideological influences that shaped the Islamic Republic -- not least of which were Western notions of political particpation. The author does a good job of showing how these tensions are reflected in the reform movement, and in the struggle for power currently unfolding in Iran. Thus I found the book very useful. I would only add that the author may have given insufficient attention to the power of the conservative clerics. ... Read more

Product Description
Akbar Ganji, called by some "Iran's most famous dissident," was a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. But, troubled by the regime's repressive nature, he became an investigative journalist in the 1990s, writing for Iran's pro-democracy newspapers. Most notably, he traced the murders of dissident intellectuals to Iran's secret service. In 2000 Ganji was arrested, sentenced to six years in prison, and banned from working as a journalist. His eighty-day hunger strike during his last year in prison mobilized the international human rights community.

The Road to Democracy in Iran, Ganji's first book in English, demonstrates his lifelong commitment to human rights and democracy. A passionate call for universal human rights and the right to democracy from a Muslim perspective, it lays out the goals and means of Iran's democracy movement, why women's rights trump some interpretations of Islamic law, and how the West can help promote democracy in Iran (he strongly opposes U.S. intervention) and other Islamic countries.

Throughout the book Ganji argues consistently for universal rights based on our common humanity (and he believes the world's religions support that idea). But his arguments never veer into abstraction; they are rooted deeply in the realities of life in Islamic countries, and offer a clear picture of the possibilities for and obstacles to improving human rights and promoting democracy in the Muslim world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

informative and concise
As Iran was going through post election turmoil, I purchased this book. The amazing part was that Ganji had predicted all that was going on in Iran in 2005 whereas the turmoil was happening in 2009. He knows Iran and Iranian people so well and comes the core of people.

Iranian dissident has a better idea
The author of this collection of short essays was imprisoned in his native Iran for advocating universal human rights based on freedom from pain, fear and intimidation. Akbar Ganji, dubbed Iran's "most famous dissident," distills his arguments into a few pivotal points that are openly, clearly idealistic - even more so in light of the policies of Iran's rulers. Ganji's essays are not practical, but philosophical, although he is very down-to-earth when he describes the plight of Iranian women. getAbstract recommends them to those who are interested in finding out more about Ganji and, to a much lesser degree, learning more about Iran's political environment.

Short and hopeful
A telling description of the terrible lack of human rights for women in Iran. And a concise account of the impact of western civilization and modernity on Islam. Mr. Ganji outlines reasons why he thinks Islam can be reformed.He ends by expressing his belief that "liberal democratic humanism" and "global love" can lead to peace.

Insightful
The Road to Democracy in Iran is a very short but well written book. Akbar Ganji proves to be a clever man as he easily highlights the situation in Iran. The book is written very objective and impartial.
I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Detailed and well thought-out
James Reid has managed to locate a lot of very hard to find information on the complex affairs of Persia during this period and located these facts within a theory to give it all sense.After having read this book, going back to other books on Safavid Persia gives a new perspective; therelations between the tribal groupings of the Safavid state are almostimpossible to unravel without the resources this book provides. ... Read more

Product Description
Who governs the Islamic Republic of Iran?Who is a "reformer"? Who is a "hardliner"?What do those terms really mean?These questions have emerged as the central enigmas of Iranian politics since the victory of reformist candidate Mohammad Khatami in Iran’s presidential elections in May 1997.

Successive electoral victories by Khatami and his political allies have raised expectations about the prospects for Iran’s reform movement.But in a political system with myriad and overlapping centers of power, capturing the presidency and the parliament may not suffice.Deep policy differences among the various factions that constitute the "reform" movement, as well as the violent proclivities of its conservative "hardline" adversaries, may frustrate efforts to bring about peaceful change to Iran’s political system and even spur a violent backlash by opponents.Clearly, the success of the reform movement—and the evolution of a more benign Iran less out of tune with U.S. interests—is by no means assured.

Who Rules Iran? analyzes the formal and informal power structures in the Islamic Republic and assesses both the future of the reform movement and the prospects for peaceful change in Iran.As U.S. policymakers begin their third decade of trying to avoid potential pitfalls and seize possible opportunities in formulating policy toward the Islamic Republic, this book will serve as an essential "guide to the perplexed." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Still a Classic
Perhaps the best book out there in explaining the functioning of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Not only does it offer one of the most lucid analyses of the functions, mandates and workings of the different clerical councils and other institutions in the political system, it also sheds light on topics often neglected in the contemporary political science on Iran, i.e. dissident clergy, militant opposition in exile, relations between intelligence organizations and the judiciary, the governmental newspapers etc.

Based on meticulous research in Persian, Arabic, German and English. Unfortunately, no study has appeared ever after this one that succeeded in providing such an extensive, lucid and well-researched overview.

Great, but very dated now
This book is very informative and breaks down the intricacies of the government extremely well to even somebody who isa pro on the topic. BUT, this book is rather dated now so be aware of that factor. But other than that its a excellently organized book and very clear and concise with no fluff. ... Read more

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This collection of essays, by a distinguished group of specialists, offers a new and exciting interpretation of Riza Shah's Iran. A period of key importance, the years between 1921-1941 have, until now, remained relatively neglected. Recently, however, there has been a marked revival of interest in the history of these two decades and this collection brings together some of the best of this recent new scholarship.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Not known in North America but a great eye opener
I came across the author through Commentary magazine and through one of the panels he had attended with leftist British journalist Simon Jenkins and Weekly Standard Reul Grecht in Europe discussing the Iranian issues. So I searched to see if he had authored a book and here I was buying this book which is a great work on Iran. It's best to say that this book is in line with the works of other great authors like Amir Taheri The Persian Night: Iran under the Khomeinist Revolution and Con Coughlin of British Daily Telegraph. Exposes the true nature of the regime, its nuclear weapons program and the human rights issues as well as providing methods to counter the Iranian regime's threat. It's a quick read and it is a magnificent source of information for those who would like to learn more about the issues concerning the current Iranian government. 5/5 ... Read more

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