Iran: A Modern History

This is an excellent single volume history of Iran where the chronology is explained on a thematic basis - e.g. the developing power of the central government in relation to the geographical periphery of the country during the course of the twentieth century. The bibliography is also very extensive, and set out under the thematic headings used in the text. A book I have no hesitation in recommending for all those wanting to better understand Iran.

My grandson is a history buff and really enjoyed this book. Read it from cover to cover

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Clocking in at a thousand pages, Iran: A Modern History is easy three times as long as books I usually choose so it is with all credit to Abbas Amanat's engaging writing that I happily immersed myself in this history for the best part of a week. I was fascinated to discover the rich history of this ancient nation and, although I have already forgotten many names, I do feel that I have a stronger understanding of Iran's culture and her people as a result. I certainly appreciated the differences in not viewing this history through British eyes and, in common with a depressing number of history and historical fiction books I read over the past few years, Britain's actions reveal our government to have been (and still be?) duplicitous, selfish and greedy. In common with many (all?) countries, Iran's history is primarily a story of violent men, but I liked that Amanat makes a point of frequently stepping away from war to also show us beauty. Artworks are reproduced in colour and black and white, plus I loved reading poetry and song lyrics, descriptions of theatre and film productions and even seeing a couple of satirical political cartoons. Such artistic creations are important to Iranian culture and their inclusion helped me to have a greater understanding. There are also maps which I think in a printed book would show various warring factions in a seemingly perpetual struggle for territory, however these details aren't reproduced in the ebook format so I was confused by the exact timelines of particular battles. I quite expected to read Iran: A Modern History in sections around other books and for reading it to feel like studying or work! Instead I was keen to keep reading and exploring Iranian history. Amanat draws out human stories and individual characters so this book didn't feel dry. I often enjoyed reading for several hours at a time! The 20th century, as Iran swings from one cultural extreme to another, takes a disproportionate number of pages compared to medieval times. Understanding the historic events that led there, albeit in an overview, is very satisfying. Readers do need a certain level of commitment to get the most out of this book I think, however I would recommend it for history buffs and fans of historians such as Simon Schama. A good book for long winter evenings!

This is beautifully presented book, giving a detailed but engaging narrative of Iranian history going back to the rise of the Safavid dynasty in the early sixteenth century. Prof. Amanat says it his interpretation of modern Iranian history, rather than an attempt to summarize the field: I find it a very compelling interpretation.

This is an absolute must for anyone seriously interested in not only modern Iran, but the whole of contemporary Middle East. It is the one book that must be on the reading list of all university courses on these matters

Excellent delivery timing and content. Most authoritative, informative, well researched, fascinating read for anyone interested in this topic. Will purchase more copies as gifts for my friends.

This is a beautiful book very well put together but I cannot comment yet on the written work as Like War and Piece, it will take a lot of time to read.

OK. Some factual inaccuracies (for instance he states Britain had hyperinflation post WWI - er...no.) Main part of the book stops at 1989 with later developments only very briefly addressed. Iranian arts, especially poetry, are described in great, great detail. I would have liked more on the lives of ordinary Iranians not on the expression of select Iranian intellectuals. This book needs to be read alongside other books about Iran to obtain a balanced view - especially of foreign powers. I would not recommend it as a book about Iran today. - more as a history of politics and poetry from 1501 to 1989 - with some biases in the writing to be borne in mind.

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.

O produto chegou rápido e em ótimas condições

The delivery was slightly late and I was afraid that it might been lost somewhere in the air but I got the package eventually and once explored it quickly I found myself confronting a marvelous book with so much detail about Iran’s contemporary history. Dr. Amant has left a unique but unprecedented narrative about modern Iran, a story which in this form never written before! Absolutely amazing the quality of the book was very good too!

This is one of the finest books on the modern history of Iran. I was looking out for such a work on Iran by a scholar of Iranian origin from last few years. It is so beautifully written as I didn’t lose my interest in it despite the fact that it is a 900 pages lengthy work. Contents of the book are impressive and analysis of the facts is powerful with lucid language making the work outstanding.

Mit massivem (1000 Seiten Umfang inkl Apparat ) hat dieses Buch sowohl eine hohe (aber gut vermittelte und lesbare ) Informationsdichte, und eine durchdachte Struktur. Da der Author Exil-Iraner ist, merkt man die Liebe zum Land und Kulturraum auf jeder Seite, hier ist sowohl wissenschaftliche Qualifikation wie auch Enthusiasmus betreffend dem Dargelegten spürbar. Die Englische Version (ich vermute es ist die Orginalsprache, das der verfasser in New York lehrt(e) ist zugänglich und mit etwas besseren kenntnissen leicht verständlich Wer also "etwas" mehr zum Persischen Kulturraum jenseits der Klassik und des römischen Reichs erwerben möchte, trifft hier auf eine exzellente Zusammenfassende Quelle, die den Interessenhorizont der meisten Laien abdecken sollte. Man hat dabei das vergnügen einen Kluturraum zu erkunden über den man viel zu wissen glaubt was sich aber oft genug, als inkorrekt oder Teilweissen herausstellt. Habe das Glück noch die englische Hardcover Version erworben zu haben.. ein tausendseitiger paperback löst bei mir leichte Panik hinsichtlich Stabilität und Lesbarkeit aus . Dies ist ein Buch das definitiv als HC erworben werden sollte - schon in der Hoffnung auf besser Papierqualität, so dass es einige Dekaden überstehtm denn ich zumindest werde es immer mal wieder zur Auffrischung aus dem Regal ziehen. Es sei auch erwähnt, dass die Audible Hörbuch version fast schon geschenkt ist, und sprachlich/erzählerisch ebenso gut Wissen vermittelt wie das geschriebene Werk.