The structure of central authority in qajar iran, 18711896. The books i read spanned over years of persian culture and included classics as well as popular fiction. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Brief overview of the history of iran throughout much of early history, the land known today as iran was known as the persian empire. Less than onethird of the cultivated area is irrigated. In 1796, mohammad khan qajar seized mashhad with ease, 14 putting an end to the afsharid dynasty, and mohammad khan was formally crowned as shah after his punitive campaign against irans georgian subjects. This article discusses the history of iran from 640 ce to the present. Iran agriculture, forestry, and fishing britannica. Like the epic poetry of greece and scandinavia, the text explores creation myths, tragic love stories, and great wars. Early history to the zand dynasty iran has a long and rich history.
This period was followed by the conquest of alexander the great from greece and the. What are the best books to read about the modern history of iran. From memoirs and history to verse and fiction, the best writing about iran has a uniquely poetic touch. Irans medieval history has likewise preoccupied scholars who have long recognized the iranian plateau as a cultural crossroad of the worlds great civilizations. From them also, thrust up in the wake of the volcanic activity of late pliocene times, came diorite and obsidian, both highly prized in antiquity. Jul 25, 2017 irans enormous book garden in tehran houses more than just books steve inskeep talks to bloomberg reporter golnar motevalli, who explains why iran a country better known for its censorship. The earliest archaeological findings from persia date to the paleolithic era, 100,000 years ago. Aug 27, 2011 the history of iran presented in her book is not exactly objective, but no matter. History and literature sociology novel psychology women glossary publications policy. The article iran contains a description of the geography and economy of the modern country and a short account of its history since the arab invasion of the 7th cent. Yet to the average american the name iran probably conjures up an image of a remote and upstart country inhabited by a people whose religious fanaticism is matched only by the intensity of their disdain for the united states and its values, who speak an obscure tongue. By ervand abrahamian 2 for a more in depth and scholarly works, abrahamians iran between two revolutions is a classic. The reign of xerxes and the downfall of the achaemenid dynasty life in ancient persia the persian military zoroastrianism.
What are the best books to read about the modern history. Some of the worlds most ancient settlements have been excavated in the caspian region and on the iranian plateau. By 5000 bce, persia hosted sophisticated agriculture and early cities. This handbook is a current, comprehensive singlevolume history of iranian civilization. The best books on iranian history five books expert. So i took myself on a literary exploration of iran. Persepolis comics, lipstick jihad, all the shahs men, no god but god, reading lolita in tehran, shah of shahs, iran. A history from zoroaster to the present day 01 by axworthy, michael isbn. Books about iran score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Iranian historybibliography wikibooks, open books for. Your first book is khomeinism by ervand abrahamian. The history of iran, which was commonly known until the mid20th century as persia in the western world, is intertwined with the history of a larger region, also to an extent known as greater iran, comprising the area from anatolia, the bosphorus, and egypt in the west to the borders of ancient india and the syr darya in the east, and from the caucasus and the eurasian steppe in the north to. A captivating guide to the persian empire and history of iran, starting from the achaemenid empire, through the parthian, sasanian and. Iran, afghanistan, tajikistan xiii modern fiction and drama xiv biographies of the poets and writers of the classical period xv biographies of the poets and writers of the modern period.
A captivating guide to the persian empire and history of iran, starting from the achaemenid empire, through the parthian, sasanian and safavid empire to the afsharid and qajar dynasty paperback june 15, 2019. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Shahnameh tells the legendary stories of preislamic iran. In a reappraisal of irans modern history, ervand abrahamian traces its traumatic journey across the twentieth century, through the discovery of oil, imperial interventions, the rule of the pahlavis and, in 1979, revolution and the birth of the islamic republic.
The details have been explained, not in legislation of. The authors, all leaders in their fields, emphasize the largescale continuities of iranian history while also describing the important patterns of transformation that have characterized iran s past. History and literature sociology novel psychology women glossary publications policy philosophy religion mp3 audio books free books for iran pdf nonpersianbooks miscellaneous information. For a detailed description of the persian empire, see persia. It is situated at a strategic juncture in the middle east region of south west asia. The subtitle empire of the mind denotes some emphasis on cultural aspects of iran, as well as the history of the country and the various dynasties who have ruled the area that was once referred to as persia. Throughout history, iran has railed against external pressure while occasionally giving in, as in 1988 when ayatollah ruhollah khomeini. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The spirit of allah khomeini and the islamic revolution. It was succeeded by the pahlavi dynasty 19251979, irans last monarchy. Part biography and part political history, amir taheris the spirit of allah a direct translation of khomeinis given name, ruhollah is at once a detailed examination of the revolution in iran and a threedimensional portrait of the man whose almost gravitational centrality to it. After introducing the reader to the regions history from the origins of islam in the seventh century, a history of the modern middle east focuses on the past two centuries of.
Irans enormous book garden in tehran houses more than. The iranian revolution past, present and future chapter 1 the historical background iran is one of the worlds oldest countries. Since the iranian revolution in 1979, the constitution of the islamic republic of iran states regarding freedom of expression. Articles in historical order iran dynasties and monarchs of 8000 years ax susa is not elam. History of zoroastrianism by maneckji nusservanji dhalla, oxford university press, new york, 1938. Memoirs of a government servant in the 1960s and 70s houshang pirnazar. Far from breaking my spirit, sadegh hedayats blind owl woke me up shadi gholizadeh. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
More than 30 years in the writing, this epic poem contains 60,000 verses and tells the mythical. List of books and articles about iranian history online. The book covers the complex history of the diverse societies and economies of iran against the background of dynastic changes, revolutions, civil wars, foreign. The zendavesta part i the vendidad, translated by james darmesteter, sacred books of the east, volume 4, oxford university press, 1880. Jul 21, 2019 the qajar dynasty was an iranian family of oghuz turkish descent that ruled persia from 1785 to 1925. In the intervening years, the country has experienced a bitter war with iraq, the transformation of society under. More than 30 years in the writing, this epic poem contains 60,000 verses and tells the mythical and actual history of iran, from the creation. Roughly onethird of irans total surface area is arable farmland, of which less than onefourthor onetenth of the total land areais under cultivation, because of poor soil and lack of adequate water distribution in many areas. This is an nice overview of the history of iran, from the time of cyrus the great to about 2009. Chahar colours columns courtyard cupola darius dating decorated districts dynasty east elamite elburz excavations faience feet ferdowsi gardens gorgan hall hamadan hotel inhabitants. List of books and articles about ancient persia online. Jul 10, 2008 in a reappraisal of iran s modern history, ervand abrahamian traces its traumatic journey across the twentieth century, through the discovery of oil, imperial interventions, the rule of the pahlavis and, in 1979, revolution and the birth of the islamic republic. Yes, abrahamian is one of the leading historians of modern iran.
Powerful dynasties have ruled persia, beginning with the achaemenid 559330 bce, which was founded by cyrus the great. The arab invasion of iran made a break with the past that affected not only iran but all of western asia and resulted in the assimilation of peoples who shaped and vitalized muslim culture. My last day in iran, she shoved a thin paper package into my hand and whispered read it. Susians are not elamites, semites or hemites ax iran or persia.
Empire to the afsharid and qajar dynasty kindle edition. The first great dynasty in iran was the achaemenid which ruled from 550 to 330 bc. Finally, the rivers of iran, racing swiftly through. This category has the following 4 subcategories, out of 4 total. Pages in category history books about iran the following 18 pages are in this category, out of 18 total. Kamin mohammadis top 10 iranian books books the guardian. Irans enormous book garden in tehran houses more than just books. The organizers also honored books in dozens of categories, including history, religion, philosophy, social sciences, engineering and geography. Mixing east and west persian contributions to science and technology and much. In more recent times, iran has continued to demand the attention of observers when, for example, the revolution of 197879 dramatically burst onto the world stage, or more recently. The rise and reign of cyrus the great the glory of the achaemenid empire.
Each of the chapters focuses on a specific epoch of iranian history and surveys the general political. Jul 20, 2011 kamin mohammadis top 10 iranian books. Nov 14, 20 1 for a general survey of 20th century iran, i highly recommend, a history of modern iran. The history of human population in iran the birth of the achaemenid empire. This article is concerned with the history of the ancient persian empire, in which presentday iran has its roots. Yet to the average american the name iran probably conjures up an image of a remote and upstart country inhabited by a people whose religious fanaticism is matched only by the intensity of their disdain for the united states and its values, who speak an obscure tongue called farsi. This is the first book on the relationship between islamic law and the iranian society during the. For the history of the region before the 7th century, see ancient iran. Political, social and cultural change, 18001925 by edmond bosworth, carole hillenbrand editor 1992. Empire of the mind reprint by michael axworthy isbn.
One of the few english language guide books to iran currently on the market, lonely planet. The qajar dynasty was an iranian family of oghuz turkish descent that ruled persia from 1785 to 1925. New books archaeology, anthropology architecture art biographies, memoirs business, economy children crafts, rugs culture, society diaspora ethnicities, minorities film, video food foreign relations iranus relations geography, nature history ancient history modern history pahlavi era history qajar era humor, satire. The books the trump administration should read to understand iran. Wikimedia commons has media related to books about iran subcategories. Jul 20, 2018 iran s majority centrallyplanned economy depends upon oil and gas exports for between 50 and 70% of its revenue. Here, she recommends six books essential for a deeper understanding of irans history, culture, and politics. The iranian revolution, past, present and future iran chamber. With almost three thousand years of history, iran is home to one of the worlds richest and most complex cultures. Iran history, middle eastern history, books barnes. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Iranian historybibliography wikibooks, open books for an.
A history of modern iran in a radical reappraisal of irans modern history, ervand abrahamian traces its traumatic journey across the twentieth century, through the discoveryofoil,imperialinterventions,theruleofthepahlavis,and,in 1979, revolution and the birth of the islamic republic. 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. Drugs and stimulants in iranian history, 15001900 princeton university press rudi matthee u. The qajar family took full control of iran in 1794, deposing lotf ali khan, the last shah of the zand dynasty, and reasserted iranian sovereignty over large parts of the caucasus. The books below became my road map to a distant place. President hassan rouhani honors swiss author regula forster for her book transmission of secret knowledge during irans book of the year awards at tehrans vahdat hall on february 7, 2018. Literary terms xvi general index companion volumes to a history of persian literature. Irans enormous book garden in tehran houses more than just books steve inskeep talks to bloomberg reporter golnar motevalli, who explains why iran a country better known for its censorship. The history of iran presented in her book is not exactly objective, but no matter. Iran, now in a new and revised seventh edition, deserves to be in the luggage of any. Richard nelson frye bowers museum, santa ana april 21, 2007. The parthian empire to the qajar dynasty persian art.
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