"Iran has rarely been out of the headlines, yet media interest and extensive coverage rarely translates into more than a superficial understanding of Iran, its identity, and its people. In this Very Short Introduction, Ali M. Ansari takes a new look at Iranian history and politics, placing the Islamic Revolution in the context of a century of political change and social transformation. Ansari argues that conflict and confrontation are not inevitable, and that a better appreciation of the history and culture of Iran, and the complex identity of Iranians themselves, can provide a new and realistic understanding for future generations."--Page 2 of cover.