Creating an Islamic State
Khomeini and the Making of a New Iran
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
How did the Ayatollah Khomeini create his Islamic state? What were the ideas which drove him and his movement? What organisation and methods helped bring him to power? This extraordinary book is the first to analyse the ideological roots of an Islamic state as conceived by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Surprisingly the author finds much of the inspiration behind Khomeini's political thinking being influenced by western sources - his writings on the supreme Islamic Jurist being affected by Plato's notions of the philosopher-king and his views of state power and centralism being closely linked to his understanding of Marxist/Leninist totalitarianism. Vanessa Martin makes a groundbreaking contribution on the dynamics of the Iranian Revolution and the Islamist revival especially relevant in the context of the debated arising out of Irans' recent elections.
'This valuable book is... an inspiring work of scholarship on the history of contemporary Iran and very stimulating in terms of exploring the possible indigenous sources for the construction of modernity based on philosophy and irfan in an Islamic setting. -Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 'In this excellent new book Martin... stimulates thought. The narrative and analysis are readable, well-edited and supplemented by glossary for non-specialists.' -History 'Creating an Islamic State will appeal not only to scholars and a broad spectrum of students but also to anyone with an interest in Middle East Politics and ideas and in Islam in general.' -Islam21, 12/00 'In a provocative analysis of Khomeni's surprising success in politicizing Iranians to revolutionary action and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, Vanessa Martin focuses on Khomeini's radicalization of religious thought and on his pragmatism in responding to evolving events. The significance of Creating an Islamic State, however, goes far beyond modern Iranian and Middle Eastern history and should be read by all students of comparative and modern history in general.' -Gene R. Garthwaite, Professor of History, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire 'Vanessa Martin's Creating an Islamic State is a strikingly illuminating book, essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand how Ayatollah Khomeini's vision of clerical rule evolved, and how, after the overthrow of the Shah, it came to be established as the form of government in the Islamic Republic of Iran.' -Professor David Morgan University of Wisconsin-Madison "This book makes a valid contribution on the dynamics of the Iranian Revolution and the Islamic revival especially relevant in the context of debates arising out of Iran's most recent events" -Fred Rhodes, 'The Middle East Magazine' 'Martin's book is an excellent introduction to one of the most influential and, in terms of historical impact, most important personages in the second half of the 20th Century.' - Asian Affairs,
ISBN: 9781860644184
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
256 pages