whoever read the book is a disgrace!

mispronounced everything from "shia" to the names so badly that it's unrecognizable for someone who knows the names and some of the history.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

One of the most comprehensive, detailed, unbiased and informative books on all aspects of modern history of Iran

One of the most comprehensive books, entailing all detailed aspects of foreign, social, local and religious influences on iranian politics. The book is very engaging, bringing different aspects and layers of each era of Iran’s history into life. The only problem I had was with certain parts if the narrator. As much as I fully enjoyed Derek Perkin’s narration, there are certain names that he fully mispronounces on some occasions and pronounces fully correct on others. The inconsistencies are annoying. Also some names are lazily mispronounced (not too difficult to double check). Other than that, 5 stars!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Fascinating and detailed

With nearly 50 hours of content, I was ready to deep dive into understanding how Iran became the way it is today after Persia was at the birth of civilisation. This book goes deep into the histories and explains the trials and tribulations of the now failed state. Really immense research and explains a lot of the reasons for the way it self ostracised. But it needs a volume 2 to get deeper into the post Islamic Revolution leadership and failures that gets us to the current situation.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Insightful but not proportional enough in describing recent era

Leaving judgments to reader while the comparisons of historic identity with religious identity and mixing these two!!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An excellent scholarly work

This is a thorough, comprehensive serious and scholarly work, discussing the evolution of Iranian socio-economic history from the Safavid period to the present day.
I found the 19th and 20th century accounts most interesting. Although there is a leitmotiv of the various dynasties seeking legitimacy by harping back to the Safavid period, I would have been equally happy had the book started with the Qajar dynasty.
The book is particularly well read and although there are some slight mispronunciations, it's as good a reading as any non-Persian speaker could have rendered.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

Very informative and insightful overview of Iran

Very good overview of the past 500 years of Iranian history. I bought this as I wanted to understand how the Islamic Republic came to be, and I ended up with a far greater understanding of Iranian history and culture than I had anticipated.

After reaching the chapters set in the 1980s and 90s, and the atrocities committed by the IR, it has given me a greater appreciation of the courage of contemporary Iranians trying to survive the regime.

Now I'll move on to pre-Islamic Iranian history, to cheer myself up a bit!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

No Chapter Titles

When will Audible get it's act together and include chapter titles, so that listeners can more easily navigate a book...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Soporific

Sadly only somnolent.
It should have been a thrilling text.
Whenever you hear the term "agency" be ready to fear the subsequent 60 mins.

I doubt whether the author leaves his chair much..no original insights. No feel for social organization or living standards.
The narrator appears to be on a long term lithium course.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful