# References about Iran **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154 "2009-01-27T00:12:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/1 "2009-01-27T00:12:19Z")
I’m interested in devoting some time learning about Iran (but not in a formal way, like taking courses), so I’m turning to fellow dopers for resources. Basically anything goes. For instance : excellent websites you happen to know, news sources, Iran-related message boards or chats where I could exchange with Iranians (In English. I do not intend to learn Farsi yet, I’m already two languages late on my program), resources about arts and history (I’ve generally more interest in ancient than modern history, but the latter is welcome too), pictures, or whatever else you could think of. Books is another matter, because though I could probably order most of them, I’d rather read them in French, in order not to add an hurdle, and I know from experience that many history books (for instance) published in the USA have never been translated in French. However, I won’t discard book recommendations out of hand, either. Thanks in advance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/2 "2009-01-27T00:17:04Z")
I’ll ask my Iranian friend. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/3 "2009-01-27T00:28:36Z")
The story of Scheherazade, legendary Persian queen, from which we get Ali Baba, Aladdin, Sinbad, and more in the 1001 Nights. > **[Scheherazade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scherezade)** > > Scheherazade (/ʃəˌhɛrəˈzɑːd, -də/) is a major female character and the storyteller in the frame narrative of the Middle Eastern collection of tales known as the One Thousand and One Nights. > According to modern scholarship, the name Scheherazade derives from the Middle Persian name Čehrāzād, which is composed of the words čehr ('lineage') and āzād ('noble, exalted'). The earliest forms of Scheherazade's name in Arabic sources include Shirazad (Arabic: شيرازاد, romanized: Šīrāzād) in Masudi, and... _The frame tale goes that every day Shahryar (Persian: شهريار or “king”) would marry a new virgin, and every day he would send yesterday’s wife to be beheaded. This was done in anger, having found out that his first wife was betraying him. He had killed three thousand such women by the time he was introduced to Scheherazade, the vizier’s daughter._ \ \*The King lay awake and listened with awe to Scheherazade’s first story and asked for another, but Scheherazade said there was not time as dawn was breaking, and regretfully so, as the next story was even more exciting. And so the King kept Scheherazade alive as he eagerly anticipated each new story, until, one thousand and one adventurous nights, and three sons later, the King had not only been entertained but wisely educated in morality and kindness by Scheherazade who became his Queen.\* The musical setting by Rimsky-Korsakov is great as well. Sample: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/s_pkRH2DZuw/hqdefault.jpg "Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade (1/5)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_pkRH2DZuw) Trailer for a pretty good movie version (that I found for $5): [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qhX8gQT3jxI/hqdefault.jpg "Arabian Nights") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhX8gQT3jxI) ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/4 "2009-01-27T03:59:29Z")
Speaking of fairy tales, I recommend [Shahnameh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahnameh) (perhaps you could get a translation in French?). It contains one of my favorite fairy tales, Rostem & Sohrab. > [@](#): > > Shāhnāmé, or Shāhnāma (Persian: شاهنامه )(alternative spellings are Shahnama, Shahnameh, Shahname, Shah-Nama, etc.), “The Book of Kings” , is an enormous poetic opus written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi around 1000 AD and is the national epic of Iran. The Shāhnāmeh tells the mythical and historical past of Greater Iran from the creation of the world up until the Islamic conquest of Iran in the 7th century. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/5 "2009-01-27T06:33:13Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I’m interested in devoting some time learning about Iran (but not in a formal way, like taking courses), so I’m turning to fellow dopers for resources. > > Basically anything goes. For instance : excellent websites you happen to know, news sources, Iran-related message boards or chats where I could exchange with Iranians (In English. I do not intend to learn Farsi yet, I’m already two languages late on my program), resources about arts and history (I’ve generally more interest in ancient than modern history, but the latter is welcome too), pictures, or whatever else you could think of. > > Books is another matter, because though I could probably order most of them, I’d rather read them in French, in order not to add an hurdle, and I know from experience that many history books (for instance) published in the USA have never been translated in French. However, I won’t discard book recommendations out of hand, either. > > Thanks in advance. 🙂 Our resident expert doper on god knows how many subjects can probably steer you right . Paging Tamerlane Declan ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/6 "2009-01-27T06:41:15Z")
Sorry to recomend a book, but _All the Shah’s Men_ by Stephen Kinzer is a very good and very short history of the successful attempt by the United States to oust the democratically elected government of Iran and install the Shah. Understanding this event is an important part of understanding modern Iran. ---
**Author:** ![willthekittensurvive](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/7 "2009-01-27T10:32:02Z")
It’s a novel set in the late 70’s, but [whirlwind](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlwind_(novel)) is a fun read, classic James Clavell storytelling(shogun, King rat, tai-pan, Nobel house) ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/8 "2009-01-27T10:36:13Z")
Forgot to mention _Reading Lolita in Tehran_. _The book is a memoir of the experience of the author who returned to Iran during the revolution (1978-1981) and lived and taught in the Islamic Republic of Iran until her departure in 1997. It narrates her teaching at the University of Tehran after 1979, her refusal to submit to the rule to wear the veil and her subsequent expulsion from the university, life during the Iran-Iraq war, her return to teaching at the University of Allameh Tabatabei (1981), her resignation (1987), the formation of her book club (1995-97), and her decision to emigrate. Events are interlaced with the stories of book club members consisting of seven of her female students, who met weekly at Nafisi’s house to discuss controversial works of Western literature[2] and are interpreted through the books they read._ > **[Reading Lolita in Tehran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reading_Lolita_in_Tehran)** > > Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books is a book by Iranian author and professor Azar Nafisi. Published in 2003, it was on the New York Times bestseller list for over one hundred weeks and has been translated into 32 languages. > The book consists of a memoir of the author's experiences about returning to Iran during the revolution (1978–1981) and living under the Islamic Republic of Iran government until her departure in 1997. It narrates her teaching at the University of Tehran after 1979, ... It’s been translated into 32 languages. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/9 "2009-01-27T14:34:34Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > I’m interested in devoting some time learning about Iran (but not in a formal way, like taking courses), so I’m turning to fellow dopers for resources. > > Basically anything goes. For instance : excellent websites you happen to know, news sources, Iran-related message boards or chats where I could exchange with Iranians (In English. I do not intend to learn Farsi yet, I’m already two languages late on my program), resources about arts and history (I’ve generally more interest in ancient than modern history, but the latter is welcome too), pictures, or whatever else you could think of. > > Books is another matter, because though I could probably order most of them, I’d rather read them in French, in order not to add an hurdle, and I know from experience that many history books (for instance) published in the USA have never been translated in French. However, I won’t discard book recommendations out of hand, either. > > Thanks in advance. 🙂 Rick Steves (the guy who does the European travel shows on PBS) just did a show called _Rick Steves’ Iran_. I watched it last week & it was pretty darn interesting. You may want to check your local listings to see if it will air on your local affiliate. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/10 "2009-01-27T16:31:11Z")
I am reading The Ayatollah Begs to Differ. Its subtitle is The Paradox of Modern Iran. I don’t know if it has been translated into French though. Rob ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/11 "2009-01-27T17:29:34Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Books is another matter, because though I could probably order most of them, I’d rather read them in French, in order not to add an hurdle, and I know from experience that many history books (for instance) published in the USA have never been translated in French. > [@Declan](#): > > Paging Tamerlane Sadly I’m all about the books and my French sucks :). Just in case… Ancient Persia by Josef Wieshofer, translated by Azizeh Azodi ( English edition 1996, 2001 by I.B. Taurus & Co Ltd ) is a nice overview of pre-Islamic Persia from the Achaemenids through the Sasanians. It was originally published in German, if that helps :D. Next chronologically you could try The Golden Age of Persia: _The Arabs in the East_ by Richard N. Frye ( 1975, 2000 by Phoenix Press ) which takes you from the end of the Sasanians ( Arab conquest ) more or less to the Seljuqs ( 11th century ). It’s an older book, but Frye is one of the big names of Iranian historigraphy and he has other, older more expansive books on Iran as well, probably all of which are worth reading. From there you can hit David Morgan’s brief survey history Medieval Persia, 1040-1797 ( 1988, Longman Group Limited ). As per the title it starts where Frye leaves off and takes us to the rise of the modern Qajar dynasty ( 1796-1925 ). Very concise and can be crticized for it. But really it is a very useful volume and Morgan is good at cramming as much info in as one possibly can in the pages alloted ( he’s better known for his very decent, if now starting to date slightly, volume on the Mongols ). Another short one then to round out the survey - Qajar Iran and the Rise of Reza Khan, 1796-1925 by Nikki Keddie ( 1999, Mazda Publishers ). Again pretty much self-explanatory, Reza Khan of course being the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty which ruled until the revolution. Keddie is another big name in Iranian historigraphy, particularly known for… Modern Iran: _Roots and Results of Revolution_ ( 2003, Yale University ). This is a partial re-write of her earlier Roots of Revolution: _An Interpretive History of Modern Iran_ ( 1981, Yale University ). Either is worth having. A modern classic and THE book on the Iranian Revolution. If any of these I’ve listed made into translation to French, I’d bet on this one. But no guarantees ;). ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/12 "2009-01-29T00:06:04Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > The story of Scheherazade, legendary Persian queen, from which we get Ali Baba, Aladdin, Sinbad, and more in the 1001 Nights. > The musical setting by Rimsky-Korsakov is great as well. Sample: > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s\_pkRH2DZuw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_pkRH2DZuw) > Trailer for a pretty good movie version (that I found for $5): > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhX8gQT3jxI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhX8gQT3jxI) I like tales, and I’ve read large parts of the 1001 nights. I heard that those tales originated in Persia, and I’m not sure about how they evolved and have been translated. Thanks for the links. > [@NinetyWt](#): > > Speaking of fairy tales, I recommend [Shahnameh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahnameh) (perhaps you could get a translation in French?). It contains one of my favorite fairy tales, Rostem & Sohrab. I’ve heard of this book, and read that it was still highly popular in Iran. I had forgotten about it. Thanks, I suppose it should be available in French, and I’ll certainly seek it. > [@madmonk28](#): > > Sorry to recomend a book, but _All the Shah’s Men_ by Stephen Kinzer is a very good and very short history of the successful attempt by the United States to oust the democratically elected government of Iran and install the Shah. Understanding this event is an important part of understanding modern Iran. I take good note of this one too, even though it might not be the first one I’ll read. I might need something more general first. > [@willthekittensurvive](#): > > It’s a novel set in the late 70’s, but [whirlwind](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlwind_(novel)) is a fun read, classic James Clavell storytelling(shogun, King rat, tai-pan, Nobel house) Thanks. I’m not too hot on novels, though, and also not very confident that it would provide an accurate description of its setting. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/13 "2009-01-29T00:09:55Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > Forgot to mention _Reading Lolita in Tehran_. > > \*The book is a memoir of the experience of the author who returned to Iran during the revolution (1978-1981) and lived and taught in the Islamic Republic of Iran until her departure in 1997. Thanks. That too sounds interesting. > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Rick Steves (the guy who does the European travel shows on PBS) just did a show called _Rick Steves’ Iran_. I watched it last week & it was pretty darn interesting. > > You may want to check your local listings to see if it will air on your local affiliate. Unfortunately, I don’t have a dish or cable, so I won’t be able to see it, even assuming it would be broadcast in France. > [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > I am reading The Ayatollah Begs to Differ. Its subtitle is The Paradox of Modern Iran. I don’t know if it has been translated into French though. > > Rob Could you elaborate? What is the book about? Is it a scholarly work? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/14 "2009-01-29T00:24:13Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Sadly I’m all about the books and my French sucks :). Just in case… > > Ancient Persia by Josef Wieshofer, translated by Azizeh Azodi ( English edition 1996, 2001 by I.B. Taurus & Co Ltd ) > > Next chronologically you could try The Golden Age of Persia: _The Arabs in the East_ by Richard N. Frye ( 1975, 2000 by Phoenix Press ) > > From there you can hit David Morgan’s brief survey history Medieval Persia, 1040-1797 ( 1988, Longman Group Limited ). > > Another short one then to round out the survey - Qajar Iran and the Rise of Reza Khan, 1796-1925 by Nikki Keddie ( 1999, Mazda Publishers ). > > Modern Iran: _Roots and Results of Revolution_ ( 2003, Yale University ). I hoped you would chime in. Thank you for providing a list that would cover all the history of Iran. That would be perfect if I can find them in French. I’m not sure I’ll try to read them all in English because IME absorbing history books about a country when you don’t have already the basis well in mind requires some effort (Wondering every other page : “Who’s this guy, again? The king? The rebel leader? The philosopher from 200 century ago who inspired the reforms? The general? And what is the place they’re fighting over, anyway?”) and even though I can read most things in English, it doesn’t help. I’ll go to my book store with the list, anyway, and see what they can get me and in which language. Thanks for the recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/15 "2009-01-29T00:25:29Z")
And of course, other recommendations are still welcome 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/16 "2009-01-30T18:51:18Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Sadly I’m all about the books and my French sucks :). Just in case… > = If any of these I’ve listed made into translation to French, I’d bet on this one. But no guarantees ;). ☹ Unfortunately, not even this one has been translated, apparently. I’m going to ask for references on Franco-Iranian forums (but at first glance, I’m unconvinced I will get good advices for serious reference books) and check random books in libraries. Failing that, I guess I’ll have to order those you listed in English. I had more luck with the Shahnameh. It was unavailable in French, but a new edition has been published _this week_, by a smallish Franco-Iranian bookstore/association/editor. My usual bookstore has been nice enough to advise me to buy it directly from them and ask them for other references about Iran, and to give me their address and phone number on the phone while I was typing this message. I love my bookstore. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/references-about-iran/483154/17 "2009-01-30T20:16:55Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Could you elaborate? What is the book about? Is it a scholarly work? No, it is not a scholarly work and I can’t tell you all about it because I am only halfway through. [Here](http://www.amazon.com/Ayatollah-Begs-Differ-Paradox-Modern/dp/0385523343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233346307&sr=1-1) is the link to the relevant Amazon page and a review from that page. > [@](#): > > From Publishers Weekly > Starred Review. In this critical but affectionate portrait of Iranian politics and culture, Majd, the Western-educated grandson of an ayatollah, delves into the very core of Iranian society, closely examining social mores and Farsi phrases to identify the Persian sensibility, which, Majd determines, cherishes privacy, praise and poetry. Nothing is too small or too sweeping for Majd to consider, and although he announces his allegiance to the former president Khatami, he remains scrupulously even-handed in assessing his successor Ahmadinejad, shedding light on the Iranian president’s obsession with the Holocaust and penchant for windbreakers and why the two are (surprisingly) intertwined. The author’s brisk, conversational prose is appealing; his book reads as if he is chatting with a smart friend, while strolling around Tehran, engaged in ta’arouf (an exaggerated form of self-deprecation key to understanding Persian society). Although Majd seems to gloss too quickly over realities that don’t engage his interest—women’s voices are only intermittently included—this failing scarcely mars this remarkable ride through what is often uncharted territory. (Oct.) > Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. FWIW, Rob P.S. Mods, I am not sure if reprinting that review violates fair use or not although I wouldn’t think so, but if it does, please delete it.