Iran: A Very Short Introduction
Author Description
Iran Has Rarely Been Out Of The Headlines. Yet Media Interest And Extensive Coverage Has Tended To Hinder Rather Than Help Our Understanding Of Iran As An Idea, An Identity, And A People, Leading To A Superficial Understanding Of What Is A Complex And Nuanced Political Culture And Civilization. This Very Short Introduction Presents A Radical Reinterpretation Of Iranian History And Politics, Placing The Islamic Revolution In The Context Of A Century Of Political Change And Social Transformation. By Considering The Various Factors That Have Contributed Towards The Construction Of The Idea Of Iran And The Complex Identity Of Iranians Themselves, Ali Ansari Steers A Clear Path Towards A More Realistic Understanding For Us All. About The Series: The Very Short Introductions Series From Oxford University Press Contains Hundreds Of Titles In Almost Every Subject Area. These Pocket-sized Books Are The Perfect Way To Get Ahead In A New Subject Quickly. Our Expert Authors Combine Facts, Analysis, Perspective, New Ideas, And Enthusiasm To Make Interesting And Challenging Topics Highly Readable.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How can a more nuanced understanding of Iran’s historical identity and political culture be achieved beyond the superficial narratives presented in modern media? Ali Ansari, a professor of Iranian History and the founding director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews, utilizes his extensive academic background to challenge common misconceptions. He argues that the Islamic Revolution must be viewed not as an isolated event, but as a culmination of a century of profound social and political transformation. By examining the construction of Iranian identity, Ansari provides a framework that contextualizes the nation's complex civilization within a broader historical trajectory.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of the historical construction of Iranian national identity
- Contextualization of the 1979 Islamic Revolution within long-term political shifts
- Examination of the interplay between social transformation and political culture
Scope Limits
- Does not provide a comprehensive year-by-year chronicle of every political event
- Does not focus on granular military history or specific tactical battle details
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and academics frequently cite this work as a concise, high-level synthesis that effectively challenges Western-centric media narratives. Readers often note that the prose is academically rigorous yet accessible, making it a foundational text for those seeking to move beyond superficial headlines.
Page Count:
144
Publication Date:
2014-01-01
Publisher:
Oup Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191648051
ISBN-13:
9780191648052
Non-Fiction
History
Middle Eastern
International relations
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