Iran and the Revolution - A History

A major new history of revolutionary Iran, from the 1940s to the present
 
Iran’s revolution in 1979 shook the world. The Pahlavi dynasty came crashing down, and the Islamic Republic rose in its place. But what led to this seismic event? How did the revolutionary movement gain such strength? And what has its legacy been for modern Iran?
 
In this comprehensive history, Homa Katouzian explores Iran from the 1940s to the present, showing how the revolution came into being. From the chaos of oil nationalisation to the overthrow of Mosaddeq in 1953, through the revolutionary moment itself, to the resistance movements of contemporary Iran, the revolution has had long and lasting effects. We see the profound influence of US presidents and the ramifications of Saddam Hussein’s invasion in 1980. Crucially, Katouzian shows how the revolution constituted an uprising of the whole of Iranian society and was not a purely Islamic movement.
 
This is an engaging account of an epochal event—one which continues to shape Iran to this day.

About the author

Homa Katouzian

Product details

• Authors: Homa Katouzian, Katouzian Homa
• Publisher: Yale University Press Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 12.05.2026
• EAN: 9780300282887
• ISBN: 978-0-300-28288-7
• No. of pages: 352
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Iran, 20th Century, HISTORY / Modern / 21st Century, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, HISTORY / Middle East / Iran, 21st Century, 21st century history: from c 2000 -, General & world history, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions, Middle Eastern history, General and world history, National liberation & independence, post-colonialism, National liberation and independence, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General, HISTORY / Revolutions, Uprisings & Rebellions