Iran: The Essential Guide to a Country on the Brink (Paperback)

~ Encyclopedia Britannica (Author) "Within days of the September 11 attacks on the United States, NATO, for the first time in its history, invoked Article 5 of its charter,..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Security Council, Persian Gulf (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

On June 24, 2005, after nearly ten years of supporting liberal reform, the people of Iran surprised the world by electing the conservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as their new president. Soon after, the new president announced Iran would restart its uranium enrichment program, drawing international criticism and condemnation from leaders in Europe and the United States. Many observers suspect it is the desire to produce not nuclear energy but nuclear weapons that lies behind Iran's controversial decision.

Ever since President George W. Bush described Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the "Axis of Evil," Iran has garnered increased international attention and threatens to become the new focus of European and American foreign policy. Now you can have at your fingertips up-to-date, must-know details on this complex, pivotal country-straight from one of the most trusted sources of information around the globe.

The first in a major new series from Encyclopedia Britannica, Iran presents a balanced, sophisticated examination of Iran's social, cultural, and political landscape, past and present. From the constitutional revolution to the hostage crisis to weapons of mass destruction, this thorough guide provides the necessary background to comprehend all the important, ongoing issues surrounding this enigmatic country.

Information on such leaders as Cyrus the Great and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, as well as on historical events like the Iran-Contra Affair and the Iran-Iraq War, place current developments into the broader context of world history, the Muslim world, the War on Terror, and the push for democratic reform in the Middle East. Every concise entry-from Afghanistan and Ayatollah Khomeini to Shari'ah law and the Shah-promotes the deeper understanding of issues and events that only Encyclopedia Britannica can provide.

Since 1768, Encyclopedia Britannica has been a leading provider of learning products and one of the world's most trusted sources of information.

www.britannica.com

From the Back Cover

On June 24, 2005, after nearly ten years of supporting liberal reform, the people of Iran surprised the world by electing the conservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as their new president. Soon after, the new president announced Iran would restart its uranium enrichment program, drawing international criticism and condemnation from leaders in Europe and the United States. Many observers suspect it is the desire to produce not nuclear energy but nuclear weapons that lies behind Iran's controversial decision.

Ever since President George W. Bush described Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as the "Axis of Evil," Iran has garnered increased international attention and threatens to become the new focus of European and American foreign policy. Now you can have at your fingertips up-to-date, must-know details on this complex, pivotal country—straight from one of the most trusted sources of information around the globe.

The first in a major new series from Encyclopedia Britannica, Iran presents a balanced, sophisticated examination of Iran's social, cultural, and political landscape, past and present. From the constitutional revolution to the hostage crisis to weapons of mass destruction, this thorough guide provides the necessary background to comprehend all the important, ongoing issues surrounding this enigmatic country.

Information on such leaders as Cyrus the Great and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, as well as on historical events like the Iran-Contra Affair and the Iran-Iraq War, place current developments into the broader context of world history, the Muslim world, the War on Terror, and the push for democratic reform in the Middle East. Every concise entry—from Afghanistan and Ayatollah Khomeini to Shari'ah law and the Shah—promotes the deeper understanding of issues and events that only Encyclopedia Britannica can provide.

Since 1768, Encyclopedia Britannica has been a leading provider of learning products and one of the world's most trusted sources of information.

www.britannica.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (February 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471741515
• ISBN-13: 978-0471741510
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,005,639 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Depth, analysis, and perspective, April 6, 2006

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

This book provides an excellent overview of the history and psychology of this complex country, why it is in the difficult position it is in today, fascinating analyses, and some of the most authoritative background information available. It is highly perceptive and extremely readable.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Iran: The Essential Guide to a Country on the Brink, May 22, 2007

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

I found this book up-to-date, very well written, and well arranged for easy reference.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Aid To Understanding Contemporary Iran, June 1, 2006

By	Caesar M. Warrington (Lansdowne, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Islamic Revolution in Iran happened over a quarter of a century ago and Iran has often been in the news ever since.
Unfortunately too many Americans have little knowledge of this ancient and sophisticated land or of its unique people.

For those interested in learning about a country that was the center of several world empires and is destined to again become the dominant power of that region, this book is a very good primer. Understandibly, emphasis is on contemporary times, with articles, for example, on Ahmadinejad, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, the American war on terrorism, and Bush's "Axis of Evil" comments. However, there remains many other articles devoted to Persian/Iranian history and culture, which will greatly inform readers, aiding them to place into context the major role Iran has played in world history, and its social and theological contributions to Western civilization.

In addition to this book, I recommend reading Afshin Molavi's SOUL OF IRAN (aka PERSIAN PILGRIMAGES), and Sandra Mackey's THE IRANIANS: PERSIA, ISLAM AND THE SOUL OF A NATION for a more personal and detailed exposition into this ancient and complex nation.