The Iranians

"“A tour de force of intellectual comprehension, summary, and balance.”—Washington Times   “Well-written and informative.""—New York Times   “An engrossing blend of history and reportage.”—Publishers Weekly   “A treasure trove of information on Iranian civilization from Cyrus the Great to the present… The West needs to understand Iran, and this work makes great headway in that direction: it is comprehensive but also discusses Persian history and religion in depth, thereby making it useful to the specialist and nonspecialist alike.”—Library Journal   “Given the depth of ignorance that pervades U.S. policy and opinion toward Iran, anything that can contribute to greater popular understanding of Iranian culture, history, and politics is welcome… One can only hope that the history of Western involvement in Iranian politics will help readers understand the West—specifically the U.S.—as a problem. Such an understanding could teach readers as much about our soul as about Iran's soul.”—Booklist   “A richly detailed analysis of the complex historical and ideological forces that drive this large and powerful nation… By touring the wide panorama of Iranian times and space with Mackey, we can appreciate why ‘Teheran is Iran's brain, Qom is its soul, and cherished Isfahan its heart.’ An essential resource for anyone concerned with this crucial region's geopolitics, culture or religion.”—Kirkus Reviews"