--- product_id: 176802918 title: "Iran: A Modern History" price: "£23.91" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/176802918-iran-a-modern-history store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Iran: A Modern History **Price:** £23.91 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Iran: A Modern History - **How much does it cost?** £23.91 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/176802918-iran-a-modern-history) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description A masterfully researched history of Iran from 1501 to 2009 “The defiant spirit of [Iran] is brought to life in this monumental history of the past 500 years.”―Richard Spencer, Times (UK) “A majestic work that goes a long way in unraveling . . . the country’s enigmas and apparent contradictions.”―Ervand Abrahamian, New York Review of Books This history of modern Iran is not a survey in the conventional sense but an ambitious exploration of the story of a nation. It offers a revealing look at how events, people, and institutions are shaped by currents that sometimes reach back hundreds of years. The book covers the complex history of the diverse societies and economies of Iran against the background of dynastic changes, revolutions, civil wars, foreign occupation, and the rise of the Islamic Republic. Abbas Amanat combines chronological and thematic approaches, exploring events with lasting implications for modern Iran and the world. Drawing on diverse historical scholarship and emphasizing the twentieth century, he addresses debates about Iran’s culture and politics. Political history is the driving narrative force, given impetus by Amanat's decades of research and study. He layers the book with discussions of literature, music, and the arts; ideology and religion; economy and society; and cultural identity and heritage. Review: First rate overview - This is an excellent single volume history of Iran where the chronology is explained on a thematic basis - e.g. the developing power of the central government in relation to the geographical periphery of the country during the course of the twentieth century. The bibliography is also very extensive, and set out under the thematic headings used in the text. A book I have no hesitation in recommending for all those wanting to better understand Iran. Review: If u like history this is for you - My grandson is a history buff and really enjoyed this book. Read it from cover to cover ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 73,290 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 454 in World History (Books) 2,063 in Social & Cultural History | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 300 Reviews | ## Images ![Iran: A Modern History - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71acDBI5jQL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ First rate overview *by R***N on 19 February 2020* This is an excellent single volume history of Iran where the chronology is explained on a thematic basis - e.g. the developing power of the central government in relation to the geographical periphery of the country during the course of the twentieth century. The bibliography is also very extensive, and set out under the thematic headings used in the text. A book I have no hesitation in recommending for all those wanting to better understand Iran. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If u like history this is for you *by E***K on 22 May 2026* My grandson is a history buff and really enjoyed this book. Read it from cover to cover ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Impressive and very readable *by S***) on 22 October 2017* I received a review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Clocking in at a thousand pages, Iran: A Modern History is easy three times as long as books I usually choose so it is with all credit to Abbas Amanat's engaging writing that I happily immersed myself in this history for the best part of a week. I was fascinated to discover the rich history of this ancient nation and, although I have already forgotten many names, I do feel that I have a stronger understanding of Iran's culture and her people as a result. I certainly appreciated the differences in not viewing this history through British eyes and, in common with a depressing number of history and historical fiction books I read over the past few years, Britain's actions reveal our government to have been (and still be?) duplicitous, selfish and greedy. In common with many (all?) countries, Iran's history is primarily a story of violent men, but I liked that Amanat makes a point of frequently stepping away from war to also show us beauty. Artworks are reproduced in colour and black and white, plus I loved reading poetry and song lyrics, descriptions of theatre and film productions and even seeing a couple of satirical political cartoons. Such artistic creations are important to Iranian culture and their inclusion helped me to have a greater understanding. There are also maps which I think in a printed book would show various warring factions in a seemingly perpetual struggle for territory, however these details aren't reproduced in the ebook format so I was confused by the exact timelines of particular battles. I quite expected to read Iran: A Modern History in sections around other books and for reading it to feel like studying or work! Instead I was keen to keep reading and exploring Iranian history. Amanat draws out human stories and individual characters so this book didn't feel dry. I often enjoyed reading for several hours at a time! The 20th century, as Iran swings from one cultural extreme to another, takes a disproportionate number of pages compared to medieval times. Understanding the historic events that led there, albeit in an overview, is very satisfying. Readers do need a certain level of commitment to get the most out of this book I think, however I would recommend it for history buffs and fans of historians such as Simon Schama. A good book for long winter evenings! ## Frequently Bought Together - Iran: A Modern History - A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind - All the Shah's Men: An American Coup and the Roots of Middle East Terror --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/176802918-iran-a-modern-history](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/176802918-iran-a-modern-history) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-06-05*