The Quest for Democracy in Iran by Fakhreddin Azimi

The constitutional revolution of 1906 placed Iran as a leader for the establishment of democracy in the non western world. The promise of a representative government was cut short by the rise of the Pahlavi in the 1920s, slowly leading up to the 1979 Islamic revolution. In his book Fakhreddin Azimi offers a view on Iran’s modern history which demonstrates that the agenda behind the 1906 revolution is ever-present, through the examination of the frustration of the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and social justice.

Sexual Politics in Modern Iran by Janet Afary

Janet Afary is an Iranian author, feminist and researcher in history. She currently resides in America and is a professor of religious studies and feminist studies at UC Santa Barbara. Her work in Sexual Politics in Modern Iran draws on her own experience of living in Iran,  her involvement with other Iranian women from various backgrounds and generations as well as a wealth of historical document to brush out the history of Iran’s sexual and gender politics from the nineteenth century till the present day. The first book to explore gender and sexuality in Iran by a leading Iranian Scholar is a must read. Even Nawal al Saadawi , the infamous Egyptian writer and feminist, has something to say about it on this link.

Distant Relations: Iran And Lebanon In The Last 500 Years by H. E. Chehabi

The relations between Iran and Lebanon have been repeatedly talked about in the news for the past few years. Looking as far back as 500 years, Distant Relations: Iran And Lebanon In The Last 500 Years is an authoritative study, looking into the religious, the political and the cultural. Anyone looking to understand the background and history behind the relations between the two countries should read this book.
Transit Tehran: Young Iran and Its Inspirations by Malu Halasa
This anthology of writings and visuals is a celebration of a country’s long cultural and artistic rebellion. Featuring the work of 30 contributors amongst which are Newsha Tavakolian, Abbas Kowsari, Javad Montazeri, Sadegh Tirafkan, Asieh Amini, Masoud Behnoud, Ardeshir Mohassess Kaveh Golestan, Mohsen Rastani and Omid Salehi, Transit Tehran is a display of the small acts of resistance that these writers and artists have to make every day.  At once moving, ironic, realistic and tragic the contributions to this book are a window to modern life in Tehran.

Transit Tehran: Young Iran and Its Inspirations by Malu Halasa

This anthology of writings and visuals is a celebration of a country’s long cultural and artistic rebellion. Featuring the work of 30 contributors amongst which are Newsha Tavakolian, Abbas Kowsari, Javad Montazeri, Sadegh Tirafkan, Asieh Amini, Masoud Behnoud, Ardeshir Mohassess Kaveh Golestan, Mohsen Rastani and Omid Salehi, Transit Tehran is a display of the small acts of resistance that these writers and artists have to make every day.  At once moving, ironic, realistic and tragic the contributions to this book are a window to modern life in Tehran.

Guests of the ayatollah by Mark Bowden

On November 4 1979, a group of revolutionary students lead by Ayatollah Khomeini staged a sit in at the U.S  embassy protesting the American decision to allow the Shah entry to the U.S for medical attention. The students took 66 American hostages for the best part of 444 days. This was the first American confrontation with militant Islam. The author of Black hawk down brings us a detailed account of the events through both sides of the conflicts, and recounts the failed attempt by the Delta Force Units to rescue the hostages. By no means an academic account, this book demonstrates the human side of the story, making it an interesting representation of the events.

Khomeini: life of the ayatollah by Baqer Moin

How did Khomeini manage to claim so much support from all the classes of the Iranian society?  What were his views on politics and religion?  How did he overturn the rule of the Shah through the Iranian Islamic revolution? Moin answers all of these questions in a book rich with facts on the Aytollah’s life, his politics, and his views on the world.

Safavid Iran: Rebirth of a Persian Empire by Andrew Newman

The Safavid era (1501-1772) is often viewed as the golden era of Iran’s history. In his book, Andrew Newman takes a look at the cultural, political, and social realities of those times.  Examining architecture, Science, Philosophy and religion, he offers a re-evaluation of the Safavids’ place in history.