{"product_id":"history-iran-axworthy-9780465098767","title":"A History of Iran by Michael Axworthy","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description-container\" style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; color: #333;\"\u003e\n    \u003ch2 style=\"color: #2c3e50;\"\u003eA History of Iran: Empire of the Mind\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3 style=\"color: #555;\"\u003eby Michael Axworthy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 20px 0;\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f4f8fb; border-left: 5px solid #c0392b; padding: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin: 0; font-weight: bold; color: #c0392b;\"\u003e🏛️ CIVILIZATIONAL IDENTITY \u0026amp; GEOPOLITICAL EVOLUTION\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp style=\"margin: 0; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003eA scholarly examination of the enduring Persian \"Empire of the Mind,\" tracing the tension between rigorous religious dogma and a rich, hedonistic cultural heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003ch4\u003eExtended Synopsis\u003c\/h4\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIn \u003cstrong\u003eA History of Iran\u003c\/strong\u003e, acclaimed historian Michael Axworthy provides a definitive account of one of the world's oldest and most complex civilizations. Moving beyond the headlines, Axworthy explores the \"Empire of the Mind\"—a cultural identity so potent it has allowed Persian influence to survive countless conquests and political upheavals. The narrative spans from the Achaemenid Empire of the sixth century BC through the Islamic conquest, the Safavid era, and the seismic 1979 Revolution, concluding with an analysis of modern Iran's nuclear aspirations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp\u003eThe text masterfully navigates the inherent contradictions of the Iranian state. Axworthy juxtaposes the censorious nature of the Shi'a Muslim clerics with a literary tradition that celebrates wine, beauty, and physical love. He highlights a modern society where nearly 60 percent of university students are women, yet they live under one of the world's most restrictive dress codes. This revised edition provides essential academic context for understanding Iran’s pivotal role in global stability and its internal struggle between tradition and modernity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 15px; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n        \u003ch4 style=\"margin-top: 0;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h4\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Axworthy\u003c\/strong\u003e (1962–2019) was a British historian and academic who served as the Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies at the University of Exeter. Previously, he headed the Iran Section of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His deep diplomatic and academic background allowed him to provide nuanced, objective insights into Iranian history and culture, making him one of the most respected Western authorities on the subject.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003ch4\u003eReader Targeting\u003c\/h4\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMiddle Eastern Studies Students:\u003c\/strong\u003e Academics requiring a comprehensive timeline of Persian political and cultural shifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeopolitical Analysts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Professionals seeking historical context for Iran’s current foreign policy and domestic tensions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistory Enthusiasts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Readers interested in the endurance of civilizational identity through periods of religious and social transformation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n    \n\n    \u003ch4\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Awards\u003c\/h4\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eHailed as the \"definitive\" history of the nation by major academic journals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSelected as an essential text for understanding the historical roots of contemporary Middle Eastern conflict.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n    \u003ch4\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n    \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 20px;\"\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e9780465098767\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e0465098762\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBasic Books\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003ePaperback\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n        \u003ctr\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n            \u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e2016-05-24\u003c\/td\u003e\n        \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; font-size: 0.9em; color: #777;\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBust-Down Books: Armed With Education\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n        People Over Profits\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n    {\n      \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n      \"@type\": \"Book\",\n      \"name\": \"A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind\",\n      \"author\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\n        \"name\": \"Michael Axworthy\"\n      },\n      \"isbn\": \"9780465098767\",\n      \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Paperback\",\n      \"datePublished\": \"2016-05-24\",\n      \"publisher\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n        \"name\": \"Basic Books\"\n      },\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en\",\n      \"brand\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n        \"name\": \"Bust Down Books\"\n      }\n    }\n    \u003c\/script\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50674776244539,"sku":"0465098762","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780465098767.jpg?v=1772375217","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/history-iran-axworthy-9780465098767","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}