The Iranians
by Sandra Mackey
Info: Mackey, Sandra. The Iranians: Persia Islam and the Soul of a Nation. Plume 1998.
Synopsis: The Iranians: Persia Islam and the Soul of a Nation is a broad overview of Iranian history and culture from the Achaemenian dynasty to the late 20th century. In this work, Sandra Mackey advances the theory that Iranian culture is a mix of competing Persian and Islamic traditions, which deserve equal recognition from the Iran’s leadership. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of each successive government, she passes judgment based on the ability (or more commonly inability) of Iran’s leaders to acknowledge and accommodate this dual heritage. She also presents Western political thought as a third competing element and describes in detail the complex relationship between Iran and the West. While drawing from a wide range of academic sources, The Iranians also benefits from a multitude of personal anecdotes collected by the author while staying in Iran.
