title: The Iranians: Persia, Islam and the Soul of a Nation
author:  Sandra Mackey 
description: A tour de force of intellectual comprehension, summary, and balance.<b><i>Washington Times</i></b><br /> <br /> Well-written and informative."<b><i>New York Times</i></b><br /> <br /> An engrossing blend of history and reportage.<b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b><br /> <br /> A treasure trove of information on Iranian civilization from Cyrus the Great to the present The West needs to understand Iran, and this work makes great headway in that direction: it is comprehensive but also discusses Persian history and religion in depth, thereby making it useful to the specialist and nonspecialist alike.<b><i>Library Journal</i></b><br /> <br /> Given the depth of ignorance that pervades U.S. policy and opinion toward Iran, anything that can contribute to greater popular understanding of Iranian culture, history, and politics is welcome One can only hope that the history of Western involvement in Iranian politics will help readers understand the Westspecifically the U.S.as a problem. Such an understanding could teach readers as much about our soul as about Iran's soul.<b><i>Booklist</i></b><br /> <br /> A richly detailed analysis of the complex historical and ideological forces that drive this large and powerful nation By touring the wide panorama of Iranian times and space with Mackey, we can appreciate why Teheran is Iran's brain, Qom is its soul, and cherished Isfahan its heart. An essential resource for anyone concerned with this crucial region's geopolitics, culture or religion.<b><i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b>
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  Copyright © 1981 by Mizan Press
  
  
  All Rights Reserved
  
  
  Designed by Heidi Bendorf
  
  
  LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION DATA Khumayni, Ruh Allah,
  
  
  Islam and revolution.
  
  
  1\. Islam and state—Iran—Addresses, essays, lectures. 2. Iran—Politics and
  government—1941-1979—Addresses, essays, lectures. 3. Shiites-Addresses,
  essays, lectures. I. Algar, Hamid. II. Title.
  
  
  DS318.K427 297'. 1978 80-24032
  
  
  ISBN 0-933782-04-7 hard cover
  
  
  ISBN 0-933782-03-9 paperback
  
  
  eISBN: 9781483547541
  
  
  Manufactured in the United States of America
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  
  [FOREWORD](part0004.xhtml)
  
  
  [INTRODUCTION BY THE TRANSLATOR](part0005.xhtml)
  
  
  [Notes](part0006.xhtml)
  
  
  [I.](part0007.xhtml)
  
  | [Islamic Government](part0007.xhtml)  
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  [1.](part0008.xhtml)
  
  | [INTRODUCTION](part0008.xhtml)  
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  [2.](part0009.xhtml)
  
  | [THE NECESSITY FOR ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT](part0009.xhtml)  
  ---|---
  
  
  [3.](part0010.xhtml)
  
  | [THE FORM OF ISLAMIC GOVERNMENT](part0010.xhtml