Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire

Library of Middle East History

by Andrew J. Newman

The Safavid dynasty, which reigned from the late fifteenth to the eighteenth century, links medieval with modern Iran. The Safavids witnessed wide-ranging developments in politics, warfare, science, philosophy, religion, art and architecture. But how did this dynasty manage to produce the longest lasting and most glorious of Iran's Islamic-period eras?Andrew Newman offers a complete re-evaluation of the Safavid place in history as they presided over these extraordinary developments and the wondrous flowering of Iranian culture. In the process, he dissects the Safavid story, from before the 1501 capture of Tabriz by Shah Ismail (1488-1524), the point at which Shiism became the realm's established faith; on to the sixteenth and early seventeenth century dominated by Shah Abbas (1587-1629), whose patronage of art and architecture from his capital of Isfahan embodied the Safavid spirit; and culminating with the reign of Sultan Husayn (reg. 1694-1722).Based on meticulous scholarship, Newman offers a valuable new interpretation of the rise of the Safavids and their eventual demise in the eighteenth century. "Safavid Iran," with its fresh insights and new research, is the definitive single volume work on the subject.

Genres: History, Iran, Middle East, Nonfiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2006

Reviews

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems like no editor worked on this book...otherwise there wouldn't be so many repetitions and someone would have told the author that describing and explaining is a much better choice than just composing a book of name dropping and listing events. The book can be read as a very first introduction to the topic though and what I really liked was that the author talks about the original sources, those texts written at the period, and the art work (architecture, miniature painting, ceramics, metalwork) - unfortunately without any illustrations, some pictures and drawings would have been quite helpful! However, for THE book on the Safavids we still have to wait.

[Behrooz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book. I felt it was more aimed at academics.

[Jasmin]

I have been more interested in non-fiction as of late. This was recommended to me by a Persian friend here when I expressed my frustration over not being able to find a solid book on ancient persian history. I was so frustrated by the lack of good books, I almost wanted to write one myself! Am going to start it soon.