The Future of Iran's Past

'So much more than the life and times of medieval Iran's greatest vizier, The Future of Iran's Past serves up penetrating insights into the nature of pre-modern biography, the complex and often opaque workings of Islamic governance, and Iran's confrontation with its own history right down to the present day.' -- Richard W. Bulliet, Professor of History, Columbia University; author of Islam: The View from the Edge and The Case for Islamo-Christian Civilisation 'The Future of Iran's Past is a highly original and extraordinarily sophisticated exploration of medieval Islamic political thought and its continuing legacy. Yavari has performed an inestimable service to the intellectual history of Islam. She subjects this genre of writing to a deep and sustained interpretation.' -- Faisal Devji, Fellow of St. Antony's College, University of Oxford and author of Landscapes of the Jihad: Militancy, Morality, Modernity 'This unconventional 'biography' of Nizam al-Mulk is woven around five exuberant essays, with challenging, often brilliant insights, on themes that lie at the heart of the Saljuq polity and dominion over which Nizam al-Mulk presided. They elucidate a novel and sophisticated interpretation of the political nature of Nizam al-Mulk's vision and its legacy.' -- John Gurney, Emeritus Fellow, Wadham College, University of Oxford 'With this outstanding study of Nizam al Mulk, one of the towering figures of Iranian-Islamic medieval history, Yavari surpasses the limits of traditional biographical writing. In this highly readable study, her critical reading of the sources and masterly approach to the literature challenge our understanding of Saljuq rule and culture.' -- Christoph Werner, Chair of Iranian Studies, Philipps-Universitat Marburg