What do you think?
Rate this book
Immortal: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces
Immortal is the only single-volume English-language survey of Iran's military history. CIA analyst Steven R. Ward shows that Iran's soldiers, from the famed "Immortals" of ancient Persia to today's Revolutionary Guard, have demonstrated through the centuries that they should not be underestimated. This history also provides background on the nationalist, tribal, and religious heritages of the country to help readers better understand Iran and its security outlook.
Immortal begins with the founding of ancient Persia's empire under Cyrus the Great and continues through the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and up to the present. Drawing on a wide range of sources including declassified documents, the author gives primary focus to the modern era to relate the build-up of the military under the last Shah, its collapse during the Islamic revolution, its fortunes in the Iran-Iraq War, and its rise from the ashes to help Iran become once again a major regional military power. He shows that, despite command and supply problems, Iranian soldiers demonstrate high levels of bravery and perseverance and have enjoyed surprising tactical successes even when victory has been elusive. These qualities and the Iranians' ability to impose high costs on their enemies by exploiting Iran's imposing geography bear careful consideration today by potential opponents.
Immortal begins with the founding of ancient Persia's empire under Cyrus the Great and continues through the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and up to the present. Drawing on a wide range of sources including declassified documents, the author gives primary focus to the modern era to relate the build-up of the military under the last Shah, its collapse during the Islamic revolution, its fortunes in the Iran-Iraq War, and its rise from the ashes to help Iran become once again a major regional military power. He shows that, despite command and supply problems, Iranian soldiers demonstrate high levels of bravery and perseverance and have enjoyed surprising tactical successes even when victory has been elusive. These qualities and the Iranians' ability to impose high costs on their enemies by exploiting Iran's imposing geography bear careful consideration today by potential opponents.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2009
12 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 9, 2015
Ward offers great insight into the repeated rise and fall of what has become known as the Iranian military. Offering historical foundation spanning over 2500 years, Ward both depicts Iran as an ever-evolving military force and pinpoints its greatest foible in the ebb and flow of its military and political dominance of the region. Ward begins his examination with a thorough look at Persia and its wars with the Romans to wrestle empiric power away from Caesar and create the Persian Dynasty. While dominating strategic planning and territorial defence, Persia did eventually fold into the Ottoman Empire, where it remained settled for centuries, while Europe expanded and state sovereignty came to fruition. Persian troops continued to hone their skills and put them to the ultimate test when the Ottomans sides with Germany in the Great War, pitting Persia against the likes of Britain, France, and, eventually, the United States. This was surely a sobering experience for Persia, whose pleas in Paris in 1919 fell onto deaf ears and allowed Britain to take control of the region as a form of protectorate. Persia, now Iran, was permitted ongoing military development, though it was leashed and kept under control, but flourished in the region, staking its claim to part of the Middle East spoils. By the Second World War, Iran was in a prosperous location for both the Allies and Axis, with its oil and geographic location into the Middle East. When the Cold War fell, both American and Russian involvement in the region created a miniature Germany, with both superpowers trying to hold onto the region. The United States held its ground and supported the shah system of monarchical rule, with democratic government making the day to day decisions in the region. Each shah kept close ties to the Americans, which would become its downfall decades later. Shah-centric issues riddled Iran's history and military until the forceful Islamic Revolution, historically significant and likely one of the major reasons the Western World knows anything about modern Iran. Ward is clear to show how embedded Iran and its military was with America, which likely led to the Shah's downfall and the infamous hostage crisis of 1979-81. The book would not be complete without discussion of the Iran-Iraq War, where Iran's military held the upper hand on numerous occasions, but would not take the final steps to ensure victory. Ward argues that, by creating a stalemate, both sides ended up where they began, wasting eight years of fighting. In the 21st century, Iran has emerged as a powerful military in the region, still run by theocratic despots who have their fingers on the nuclear button. However, one main reason America has not sought to strike and remove the current regime is that Iran is a military force to be reckoned with, unlike some of its neighbours. As such, Ward argues, the future remains unclear. Truly, Iran's military history is highly complex and ever-evolving, as the curious reader will discover.
Ward encapsulates the history of the region and its military quite effectively, perhaps too much so. The detailed history can numb the reader whose interest lies in general information and not nuanced facts. However, his detailed discussions do prove highly effective in seeing the great progress and regression in Iran's military might. Ward fills a gap for people like me, who know little about the region and how it made its way onto the top five Enemies of the Unite States of America. Ward effectively sells the point that there is much to know about Iran and that its military is not simply a mish-mash of Bedouins and knife-toting men. The advancements made by Persia/Iran and its numerous alliances helped to create quite the multi-faceted defence corp.
Kudos, Mr. Ward for your detailed analysis. Taking the time to share what you know has given me a better understanding of the region and its people, especially from a military perspective.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Ward encapsulates the history of the region and its military quite effectively, perhaps too much so. The detailed history can numb the reader whose interest lies in general information and not nuanced facts. However, his detailed discussions do prove highly effective in seeing the great progress and regression in Iran's military might. Ward fills a gap for people like me, who know little about the region and how it made its way onto the top five Enemies of the Unite States of America. Ward effectively sells the point that there is much to know about Iran and that its military is not simply a mish-mash of Bedouins and knife-toting men. The advancements made by Persia/Iran and its numerous alliances helped to create quite the multi-faceted defence corp.
Kudos, Mr. Ward for your detailed analysis. Taking the time to share what you know has given me a better understanding of the region and its people, especially from a military perspective.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
September 9, 2020
Informative, particularly when they get to the 20th Century. The author also does a good job of staying objective, criticizing Iranian military mistakes and misdeeds while still praising their ingenuity and valor in battle. However, it can be a dry read at times, especially when the author gets into the details of military supplies. I appreciated the last chapter, where the author summarizes historical trends in the Iranian military while painting a picture of their (then) modern situation. I feel like there could have been a bit more focus on major personalities, and the cost in lives of tactics like "human wave attacks", but I suppose that's not what a military history book is going to focus on. (To be fair, I'm also not the typical audience for this kind of book.) (B+)
March 10, 2021
A very detailed book on the history of an often ignored corner of the world. I was really struck by the parallels with Afghanistan up to 1979. I wish the book had spent more time on the period post 9/11 as well.
January 2, 2020
Its decent for a military history, while most get bogged down in order of battle, and become an unreadable morass of details, this does a good job of discussing context and overview
July 27, 2011
The author has done a good job of providing an even handed and fair account of the Iranian military history as best as he could. Though the book focuses more on modern and contemporary Iranian military history. I think this book by far is the most even handed account of Iran's military history I have ever read. I liked it as someone who comes from a military background myself. Especially the sections that discussed the Iranian operations in Dhofar. I have met with several veterans of that campaign and the accounts provided by the author are genuinely true.
Though there were a few typos and a few historical misinformation. For instance, the author says that the Iranian air force was established in 1955. That's incorrect and not historically accurate. The independent Iranian air force was established by Reza Shah in mid 1920s when he purchased French, German & Russian aircrafts. One can view this piece of info by checking iiaf.net/history website. The other mistake is that the author has placed surface to air missile capabilities within the Iranian army/land forces. That's also incorrect. Air force maintained and operated these networks. The other incorrect data is when the author claims the Iranians were going to buy short range/low level British made SAMS (known as Rapier) by late 1970s. This is also not correct as the Iranians had bought such systems in mid 1970s and it was being phased out of service with the introduction of more I-Hawk SAM systems (p197). On page 198, where the author is talking about the navy, there are mentions of French fast attack boats (La Combattant) that are equipped with Exocet missile. This is another error. The Iranian navy or armed forces never acquired Exocet missiles. Only in late 980s, the Iranians bought Chinese version of Exocet missile called Silk Worm that were randomly used against allied war ships and arab oil tankers during the 1980s tanker war.
All in all, this book is a good one. I'd recommend it to those who lack the basic knowledge about the Iranian military history.
Though there were a few typos and a few historical misinformation. For instance, the author says that the Iranian air force was established in 1955. That's incorrect and not historically accurate. The independent Iranian air force was established by Reza Shah in mid 1920s when he purchased French, German & Russian aircrafts. One can view this piece of info by checking iiaf.net/history website. The other mistake is that the author has placed surface to air missile capabilities within the Iranian army/land forces. That's also incorrect. Air force maintained and operated these networks. The other incorrect data is when the author claims the Iranians were going to buy short range/low level British made SAMS (known as Rapier) by late 1970s. This is also not correct as the Iranians had bought such systems in mid 1970s and it was being phased out of service with the introduction of more I-Hawk SAM systems (p197). On page 198, where the author is talking about the navy, there are mentions of French fast attack boats (La Combattant) that are equipped with Exocet missile. This is another error. The Iranian navy or armed forces never acquired Exocet missiles. Only in late 980s, the Iranians bought Chinese version of Exocet missile called Silk Worm that were randomly used against allied war ships and arab oil tankers during the 1980s tanker war.
All in all, this book is a good one. I'd recommend it to those who lack the basic knowledge about the Iranian military history.
April 9, 2016
Excellent book on a country that was, after Persian Empire collapse, pretty much isolated from the rest of the world by its own decision.
Always caught in the middle of struggle between East and West with highly religious population and in conflict with majority of the Arab world due to the Sunni-Shia schism Iran was more and more occupied with internal struggles (mirrored in the double security apparatus designed to keep one another in check and prevent coups and change of ruling order) and putting the entire country under central government control than with external expansion. It tried projecting power to the region but this never went beyond the countries neighboring Iran.
Book chronicles military history (and political of course because these two cannot go one without another) of Iran and gives the overview of events in the Iran's near vicinity through ages. Book gave me insight into things I had no prior knowledge about - the very mishmash of nations and cultures living in Iran, each trying to rule locally and be left alone by the others - very, very tribal people - and especially be left alone by the central government that, on the other hand, tries to govern the entire country and prevent brigandry and criminal elements from taking over the control of remote areas.
I found very interesting parts of the book describing interactions between Iran and its eastern neighbors (Afghanistan, Pakistan) and conflicts Iran had with Taliban movement in 2000's.
Authors conclusions at the end are also very good - both in regard of international view of Iran and foolhardiness and recklessness that seemed always to be Iran's trademark when it comes to international relations.
Very interesting book which will give you (especially if you, like me, never read about Iran's history before) plenty of information on this country, conflicts, wars and political turmoils it survived (and is still surviving) and the very nature of its very nationalistic, religious, proud and tribal people.
Always caught in the middle of struggle between East and West with highly religious population and in conflict with majority of the Arab world due to the Sunni-Shia schism Iran was more and more occupied with internal struggles (mirrored in the double security apparatus designed to keep one another in check and prevent coups and change of ruling order) and putting the entire country under central government control than with external expansion. It tried projecting power to the region but this never went beyond the countries neighboring Iran.
Book chronicles military history (and political of course because these two cannot go one without another) of Iran and gives the overview of events in the Iran's near vicinity through ages. Book gave me insight into things I had no prior knowledge about - the very mishmash of nations and cultures living in Iran, each trying to rule locally and be left alone by the others - very, very tribal people - and especially be left alone by the central government that, on the other hand, tries to govern the entire country and prevent brigandry and criminal elements from taking over the control of remote areas.
I found very interesting parts of the book describing interactions between Iran and its eastern neighbors (Afghanistan, Pakistan) and conflicts Iran had with Taliban movement in 2000's.
Authors conclusions at the end are also very good - both in regard of international view of Iran and foolhardiness and recklessness that seemed always to be Iran's trademark when it comes to international relations.
Very interesting book which will give you (especially if you, like me, never read about Iran's history before) plenty of information on this country, conflicts, wars and political turmoils it survived (and is still surviving) and the very nature of its very nationalistic, religious, proud and tribal people.
August 6, 2012
Very in-depth study of Iran's armed forces, from the 6th century B.C. to the early 21st century. For my Navy colleagues, I recommend reading (with strategic skimming authorized) chapters 1-5 for their illuminating discussions of Iranian military cultural origins, rapid skimming of chapter 6 (the detailed post-mortem of WWII land battles was a bit much for my needs), and close reading of chapters 7-9 for their take on the roots and development of Iran's modern armed forces. Chapter 10's assessments and predictions are of interest.
More, and more-detailed maps, would have been of use, as would a glossary, although Google and Wikipedia substitute nicely in a pinch.
I thought it a strange oversight that the Pasdaran was only obliquely identified as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the name by which much of Mr. Ward's professional audience would know it. Again, a glossary would have been helpful.
A substantial tome which took me longer than I'd like to admit to get through, it's a valuable professional resource, and I may return to it before my next deployment--but after a nice, breezy mystery or two!
More, and more-detailed maps, would have been of use, as would a glossary, although Google and Wikipedia substitute nicely in a pinch.
I thought it a strange oversight that the Pasdaran was only obliquely identified as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the name by which much of Mr. Ward's professional audience would know it. Again, a glossary would have been helpful.
A substantial tome which took me longer than I'd like to admit to get through, it's a valuable professional resource, and I may return to it before my next deployment--but after a nice, breezy mystery or two!
April 26, 2011
The author provides an excellent history of Iran through its military experiences and also provides a good contemporary understanding of Iran's present capabilities and intentions based upon its political relationships, existing threats and regime objectives. Very helpful to understand Iran's contemporary role in the region and its capabilities and potential.
February 12, 2014
Solid and comprehensive work, that provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of Persian/Iranian military history from Cyrus to the early 21st century. The author ia a CIA intelligence analyst and perhaps accordingly tending towards the dry factual approach, but still this is definitely a work of reference to understand the historical background and influences of todays Iranian military.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews