Reviews
"Sheds light not only on the events themselves but also on the idea of revoultion itself and its meaning within the modern context....An informative book, one which will repay careful study on the part of anyone who is not satisfied with simplistic answers to the emergence and development ofthe Islamic Republic of Iran."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion, "Provides a wealth of background on Islam and the history of Iran thathelps put the past decade in perspective....A thought-provoking work and a majorcontribution to serious scholarship on Iran, modern revolutions, and the role ofreligion in contemporary politics."--Robin Wright, The New York Times BookReview, "Not only exciting history but a splendid explanation of a complex and intricate story."--The Newark Star Ledger, "Sheds light not only on the events themselves but also on the idea of revoultion itself and its meaning within the modern context....An informative book, one which will repay careful study on the part of anyone who is not satisfied with simplistic answers to the emergence and development of the Islamic Republic of Iran."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion"An intelligent and important book, and I find his chapter on the Iranian revolution in comparative perspective breathtaking."--American Historical Review"Excellent. Surely one of the best accounts, in terms of its comprehensiveness and lucidity, of the Iranian rebellion."--Randall Ponwells, University of Central Arkansas"Provides a wealth of background on Islam and the history of Iran that helps put the past decade in perspective....A thought-provoking work and a major contribution to serious scholarship on Iran, modern revolutions, and the role of religion in contemporary politics."--Robin Wright, The New York Times Book Review"Integrate[s] well the themes of Islam and revolutionary politics and present[s] an authoritative menu for understanding the contemporary Arab world and Islam."--Library Journal"Presents the Iranian revolution in a context. The players in that drama may be no more lovable after you read this book, but they will be much more comprehensible."--The Chicago Tribune"Not only exciting history but a splendid explanation of a complex and intricate story."--The Newark Star Ledger"An authoritative and insightful analysis of the Iranian scene, which will be helpful in the years ahead to Iran-watchers who will be asking whether a workable relationship is possible between technical modernization and traditional Shi'ite values."--Cyril E. Black"An authoritative and insightful analysis of the Iranian scene."--Cyril E. Black"Interesting and insightful...thought-provoking....Arjomand's research is impressive, his style elegant...and his hypothesis on the significance of religion in revolutions suggests an important line of inquiry and future research, especially in comparative studies of revolution."--Val Moghadam, Center for Iranian Research and Analysis Newsletter"[Shows] excellent control of the issues and sources." --Thomas Naff, University of Pennsylvania"A lucid explanation of the factors...that made the Iranian Revolution possible....Indispensable for anyone seeking to understand that revolution."--John Alden Williams, College of William and Mary"Conceptually demanding but well worth the effort."--John Voll, University of New Hampshire"An impressively researched, very useful book. Highly recommended."--John Spencer, Middlebury College"The best book yet for comprehending the Iranian revolution."--Edward Friedman, University of Wisconsin"Fine text."--Christopher Melchert, Wake Forest University, "Excellent. Surely one of the best accounts, in terms of its comprehensiveness and lucidity, of the Iranian rebellion."--Randall Ponwells, University of Central Arkansas, "Not only exciting history but a splendid explanation of a complex andintricate story."--The Newark Star Ledger, "Provides a wealth of background on Islam and the history of Iran that helps put the past decade in perspective....A thought-provoking work and a major contribution to serious scholarship on Iran, modern revolutions, and the role of religion in contemporary politics."--Robin Wright, The NewYork Times Book Review, "Integrate[s] well the themes of Islam and revolutionary politics and present[s] an authoritative menu for understanding the contemporary Arab world and Islam."--Library Journal, "Excellent. Surely one of the best accounts, in terms of itscomprehensiveness and lucidity, of the Iranian rebellion."--Randall Ponwells,University of Central Arkansas, "An authoritative and insightful analysis of the Iranian scene, which will be helpful in the years ahead to Iran-watchers who will be asking whether a workable relationship is possible between technical modernization and traditional Shi'ite values."--Cyril E. Black, "An authoritative and insightful analysis of the Iranian scene, which willbe helpful in the years ahead to Iran-watchers who will be asking whether aworkable relationship is possible between technical modernization andtraditional Shi'ite values."--Cyril E. Black, "Presents the Iranian revolution in a context. The players in that dramamay be no more lovable after you read this book, but they will be much morecomprehensible."--The Chicago Tribune, "Interesting and insightful...thought-provoking....Arjomand's research isimpressive, his style elegant...and his hypothesis on the significance ofreligion in revolutions suggests an important line of inquiry and futureresearch, especially in comparative studies of revolution."--Val Moghadam,Center for Iranian Research and Analysis Newsletter, "Presents the Iranian revolution in a context. The players in that drama may be no more lovable after you read this book, but they will be much more comprehensible."--The Chicago Tribune, "Integrate[s] well the themes of Islam and revolutionary politics andpresent[s] an authoritative menu for understanding the contemporary Arab worldand Islam."--Library Journal, "An intelligent and important book, and I find his chapter on the Iranian revolution in comparative perspective breathtaking."--American Historical Review, "Interesting and insightful...thought-provoking....Arjomand's research is impressive, his style elegant...and his hypothesis on the significance of religion in revolutions suggests an important line of inquiry and future research, especially in comparative studies of revolution."--ValMoghadam, Center for Iranian Research and Analysis Newsletter, "An intelligent and important book, and I find his chapter on the Iranianrevolution in comparative perspective breathtaking."--American HistoricalReview, "Sheds light not only on the events themselves but also on the idea ofrevoultion itself and its meaning within the modern context....An informativebook, one which will repay careful study on the part of anyone who is notsatisfied with simplistic answers to the emergence and development of theIslamic Republic of Iran."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion
Synopsis
This comprehensive history of the Iranian Revolution views it in the context of an ongoing conflict between religious and political authorities dating back to the establishment of Shi'ism as the state religion of Iran in 1501. The historical context is seen as being critical in understanding the staying power of Khomeini's regime and its ruthless elimination of internal opposition to the Islamic Republic.The significance of the appearance of widespread popular discontent, the ideological differences among the ruling clergy, and the issue of Khomeini's succession are also considered, and the book concludes with a comparison between the Iranian Revolution and other famous historical revolutions., The Iranian revolution still baffles most Western observers. Few considered the rise of theocracy in a modernized state possible, and fewer thought it might result from a popular revolution. Said Amir Arjomand's The Turban for the Crown provides a thoughtful, painstakingly researched, and intelligible account of the turmoil in Iran which reveals the importance of this singular event for our understanding of revolutions. Providing crucial historical background, Arjomand examines both the structure of authority in Shi'ism (one of the two main branches of Islam) and the impact of the modern state on Iranian society, two factors essential to the comprehension of the revolution of 1979. He then describes the emergence of Khomeini; the infusion of petrodollars into the economy; the blatant political corruption; and Khomeini's disposal of Bakhtiar, Bani-Sadr, and Bazargan, consolidation of religious rule, and establishment of a constitution based on a new interpretation of Islamic principles., Arjomand's The Turban for the Crown provides a thoughtful, painstakingly researched, and intelligible account of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran which reveals the importance of this singular event for our understanding of revolutions. Providing crucial historical background, Arjomand examines both the structure of authority in Shi'ism (one of the two main branches of Islam) and the impact of the modern state on Iranian society, two factors essential to the comprehension of the revolution and its aftermath.
