Roots of Revolution: An Interpretive History of Modern Iran

by Yann Richard and Nikki R. Keddie

Book Overview

Current events in Iran can only be clearly understood in relation to their historical and ideological context. Although a number of recent publications deal with Iran, only this one presents in detail the modern history of this important country and relates it to the recent revolution.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300026064
• ISBN13: 9780300026061
• Release Date: January 1981
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 321 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

an excellent introduction to revolutionary Islam

Keddie does a marvelous job of exploring the roots, appeal and cause of the Iranian revolution of '78 - '79. Essentially the argument is made that the repressive and secular Pahlavi regieme, ignoring and even actively repressing Islam caused a backlash that led to its eventual destruction. At the same time, Keddie makes the point that the close ties the pre-revolutionary Iranian government had with the West, and its increasing reliance on it for support only served to increase the popularity of Islam as an alternative.While radical Islam is a complex issue, and is broader than just the Iranian model, this book is a must for those who seek to understand the mass appeal of it.

An easy explanation of the revolution in Iran

this is a very good book if you want to know more about the islamic revolution. Keddie gives us many different reasons to why the revolution could take place.