The History of Iran

by Elton L. Daniel

With almost three thousand years of history, Iran is home to one of the world's richest and most complex cultures. 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, and whose identity is not clearly distinguished from that of their Arab neighbors. This work offers an objective and engagingly written portrait of the Iranian people and their complex history from the perspective of one of the world's foremost experts on the country. It is ideal for student use and for the interested reader. Following a timeline of key events in the history of Iran and an overview chapter of the land and its people today, ten chapters trace the history of the country from its roots in prehistory to the many cultures and civilizations that ruled the area before the nation state was forged in the early 20th century. The only completely up-to-date history of Iran, the work covers in detail the era of the Shah, Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution, the Khomeini era, the era of reconstruction, and contemporary Iran at the dawn of the 21st century. Short biographical profiles of key historical figures, a glossary of terms, and a bibliographic essay add reference value to the work.

Genres: History, Iran, Nonfiction, World History, Middle East

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dry but very straightforward. Though it is predicated on the assumption that one small volume can capture the history of a nation from prehistory to the present, it is a very nice reference outline, and still has enough detail so you can easily find more about whatever you happen to be looking for.

[NCHS Library]

From Follett:
Surveys the history of Iran from ancient times into the first decade of the twenty-first century, focusing on political events with a concentration on the modern period; and includes a time line, and a list of notable people. This comprehensive survey of Iran's historical development covers everything from its origins in ancient empires to its status as a modern nation-state

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume provides an introduction to Iranian history, from its pre-historic beginnings into the 21st century. The author does a good job of providing an introduction to the country's culture and history in a way that is easy to follow and engaging for the average reader.