Iran

Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic

Khomeinism: Essays on the Islamic Republic Author(s): Ervand Abrahamian Format: Book

Interesting examination of Khomeini's very populist and usually pragmatic style of politics. Khomeini in this analysis comes off as a surprisngly flexible thinker, more than willing to alter his theology in practice (if not always openly in theory) to work the crowds. Well worth reading as a counter to the common popular view of Khomeini as an entirely inflexible dogmatist (or a fundamentalist, a descriptor Arahamian disputes on semantic grounds).

Posted by Tamerlane at 07:59 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

All the Shah's Men

All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror Author(s): Stephen Kinzer Format: Book

A riveting read, All the Shah's Men tells the story of how Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran came to be the first head of government in the world to be overthrown by the CIA.

Continue reading "All the Shah's Men"

Posted by dubaiwalla at 01:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution

Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution Author(s): Nikki R. Keddie Format: Book

The grand old dame of Iran's history. There's a revised and expanded version from 2003, but I suggest reading the original. After Keddie, read these two:

1. A Century of Revolution. Social Movements in Iran by John Foran (ed)
2. Social Origins of the Iranian Revolution by Misagh Parsa

Posted by raf* at 07:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack