Iran: A Decade of War and Revolution

by David Menashri

This is a comprehensive and analytical history of Iran since the decline and collapse of the Shah's reign in the late 1970s. This collection of essays by David Menashri, a leading authority on Iranian affairs, traces on a year-by-year basis the unfolding of the Iranian Revolution and its institutionalisation by Khomeyni and his followers. The author also offers an extensive, substantive overview and a postscript discussing Iranian involvement in and perceptions of its arms deals with the United States.Menashri details the intricate political history of the revolution, providing insightful portraits of its leading figures, as well as of their factions and the ideological conflicts among them. He also discusses Khomeyni's decisive role in almost all crucial events and decisions, Iran's internal problems - not the least of which is a worsening economy - and the history of Iran's war with Iraq. By analysing the changing nature of Iran's relations with the U.S., the Soviet Union, and other countries throughout the world, Menashri establishes a context essential to our understanding of current tensions in the Persian Gulf.

410 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1990