Iran and the Rise of Reza Shah: From Qajar Collapse to Pahlavi Rule

Description

The post-World War I years encompass one of the most important and engrossing chapters in 20th century Iranian history. The period began with a triumvirate of Iranian political grandees, encouraged (and bribed) by the British government, attempting to shoe-horn Iran into the British Empire. This failed and clumsy episode was followed by a bizarre coup d’état, engineered in great haste by a British general, which brought to power a tough but obscure military officer who disposed of the prime minister to take over the role himself, dabbled briefly with republicanism, then crowned himself as Reza Shah Pahlavi, ending 130 years of Qajar rule. This book covers a crucial period in the birth of the modern Iranian state and will become the standard work on the subject. ‘The present emerges from the past, and no one should discourse on Iran and its future without reading Cyrus Ghani’s trenchant and scrupulous history.’ – Professor Arthur Schlesinger ‘Cyrus Ghani’s book is indispensable reading for those who seek to understand the roots of the complex political situation in Iran today.’ – James A. Bill, Professor of Government, William and Mary College, Virginia