Iran

I.B.Tauris in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation

The Cambridge History of Iran is a multi-volume survey of Iranian history and culture, and its contribution to the civilization of the world. All aspects of the religious, philosophical, political, economic, scientific and artistic elements in Iranian civilization are studied, with some emphasis on the geographical and ecological factors that have contributed to that civilization's special character. The aim is to provide a collection of readable essays rather than a catalogue of information. The volumes offer scope for the publication of new ideas as well as providing summaries of established facts. It is hoped that the volumes will act as a stimulus to specialists, but they are primarily concerned with answering the sort of questions about the past and present of Iran that are asked by the non-specialist.

The truths about Iran—quite different truths from versions put forward by Washington, Tehran, and the media. Afshin Molavi, a rising young writer born in Iran and fluent in Farsi, traveled his homeland for over a year. Along the way, he met with students of the right and left, bazaar merchants, Islamic clerics, pro-democracy writers, Islamic hard-liners, feminists, government officials, and kids hooked on anything western. All opened their hearts to the young Molavi, speaking candidly about issues that matter to them: unemployment, freedom, religion, poetry, history, love, marriage, the Internet, the ruling clerics, and green cards. Throughout his journey, Molavi weaves the tale of nearly 3,000 years of Iranian history through pilgrimages to important historical sites and monuments. Few books have penetrated the soul of Iran as deeply as this exceptional report on one of the world's most important nations. Persian Pilgrimages is a journey to remember.