RAF’S RECOMMENDED READING ON IRAN
Not quite two weeks ago I requested some advice on books to give a good grounding on Iran, its society and politics. Raf, a compatriot of Collounsbury and a contributor to the MENA group blog ‘Aqoul was gracious enough to put together a short bibliography for Zenpundit readers that includes a nice mix of Westerners and native speakers. I’ll be picking up a few of these myself in the near future.
Without further ado – Raf’s Recommendations:
1. Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution by Nikki Keddie
This one was Raf’s “absolute must read first” selection.
2. The Mantle of the Prophet by Roy Mottahedeh
Focus on Shiite Islam
3. In the Rose Garden of theMartyrs : A Memoir of Iran – Christopher de Bellaigue
4. Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir inBooks by Azar Nafisi
Already a best-seller and known to a general audience.
5. We Are Iran : The Persian Blogs by Nasrin Alavi
Once again, thank you Raf ! Please be sure to visit him at ‘Aqoul or his home blog, raf* bey…the levantese
January 26th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Excellent post!
You should do more of these core subject readings on different IR/warfare topics. I find I have a better understanding of situations from a couple of good history readings than a constant barrage of news bites.
January 26th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
A good suggestion. I accept !
And an excuse for me to contact academic friends in different fields – some outside IR/History altogether. Never hurts to get a completely different take on familiar ground.
(Perhaps I’ll put one together myself on Russia/Soviet in the interim).