The Persians

Katouzian (Oxford) has written a history of Iran designed to appeal to both specialists and general readers. The author begins with the earliest times when history emerges from the myths and legends embodied in the Shahnama (the Iranian national legend), and concludes with the turmoil following the reelection of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the presidency of Iran in 2009. Approximately half of the book spans the 5th century BC to the mid-19th century, with a minimum of detail and documentation and nothing much new. The second half, the author's period of specialty, is thoroughly documented and refreshingly new and lively, with many comparisons with the West. Katouzian organizes his narrative around some enduring features of Iranian culture and society: the conflict of state and society, a tendency toward short-term thinking, a widespread belief in conspiracy theories, Iranian-ness and the sense of Iranian identity, and Iranian individuality or "personalism." Katouzian argues convincingly that Iranian society was never feudal, and with balance and fairness, he does not blame foreigners for Iran's internal problems. An important book for any collection on the modern Middle East. Summing Up: Highly recommended. *** All levels/libraries.--W. L. Hanaway, emeritus, University of Pennsylvania