The Turban for the Crown: The Islamic Revolution in Iran (Studies in Middle Eastern History) | 
 enlarge | Author: Said Amir Arjomand
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Category: Book
List Price: $29.99
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Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 655855
Media: Paperback
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6 x 0.8
ISBN: 0195042581
Dewey Decimal Number: 955.05
EAN: 9780195042580
Publication Date: November 16, 1989
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Product Description
The Iranian revolution still baffles most Western observers. Few considered the rise of theocracy in a modernized state possible, and fewer thought it might result from a popular revolution. Said Amir Arjomand's The Turban for the Crown provides a thoughtful, painstakingly researched, and intelligible account of the turmoil in Iran which reveals the importance of this singular event for our understanding of revolutions. Providing crucial historical background, Arjomand examines both the structure of authority in Shi'ism (one of the two main branches of Islam) and the impact of the modern state on Iranian society, two factors essential to the comprehension of the revolution of 1979. He then describes the emergence of Khomeini; the infusion of petrodollars into the economy; the blatant political corruption; and Khomeini's disposal of Bakhtiar, Bani-Sadr, and Bazargan, consolidation of religious rule, and establishment of a constitution based on a new interpretation of Islamic principles.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Insightful Perspective of the Revolution October 10, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The scholar, Said Amir Arjoumand, attempts to elaborate on the inherent ideological causes of the Iranian Revolution. Various other authors I have come across refer to his work and upon reading his book I find his arguments and theories very well written and supported with extensive research and data. It is an illuminating look at what no doubt at the time must have been perceived as a highly unlikely event... the creation of a modern state subservient to Khomeini's unique vision of Islamic law as embodied in his Velayat-e faqih that ultimately destroyed all borders between politics and religion. It is no doubt a work which will prove challenging and perhaps even distasteful to those who come to it with strongly cemented notions of their own, but the scholarship and prose make it a worthwhile read regardless.
An excellent analysis of the Islamic Revolution in Iran August 27, 1998
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Said Arjomand does an excellent job of showing how it was possible at the end of what is thought of as enlightened 20th century for a group of people dedicated to religious dogma thousand years old to overthrow a modern, centralized state. Arjomand is also right in noting that the Islamic revolution is a prototype for other fundamentalist revolutions that are sure to come in parts of the world and in showing the similarities between secular totalitarian systems, such as Fascism (nationalism+socialism), Communism (classism+socialism) and the Islamic totalitarian system presently in Iran (Islam+socialism). All in all, a must for anyone who wants to understand modern Iran and the Middle East
 A solid analysis of the Iranian Revolution. July 21, 2008
Kevin M Quigg (Carol Stream, Illinois United States)
As the author states in his book, revolutions don't always have to be progressive in nature, they can also be regressive and in some of the revolutions, there are both progressive and regressive trends. As we learn in the Iranian Revolution, the trend was regressive. A second center of power toppled the first center of power because they became worried about their power and resources. The first center of power was the royal dynasty (Pahlavi) where a weak willed dictator did not want to risk the loss of life to save his throne. The American government (under another weak willed leader Carter) chastised the Shah for any loss of life. Meanwhile, a faction of the clergy turned the tables on the Shah and their other competitors and seized power. The result was a more totalitarian government than the Shah ever was. This government encouraged morals police and eliminated any polical opponent (including other clerics). The result was a dictatorial theocracy that exceeded the Shiite traditions on religious control of the government.
The one and only thing I don't like about this book is the sociological precise terminlogy that is used throughout the writings. This is a very difficult book to understand. However, the author does a solid analysis of why the Shah fell and Khomeni rose to the top of the Iranian leadership.
 unless you like solid analysis and accurate facts, read. January 24, 2000
2 out of 15 found this review helpful
this book represents the lack of the author's understanding of the social and political realities of a postmodern world. it presents no anylysis, of any depth, of any political thought; nor does it evaluate history, other than in a narrow and utterly uncomprehensive way. this book is a manifestation of the unanalytical and ill-informed name-calling nature of the anti-islamic republic trend. the author attempts to use western vocabulary to "describe" the islamic republic, but fails even on western terms. for instance, the author lacks understanding of the very term 'facist.' or look at how the terms 'western' and 'modern' are confused.
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