As a student in Iran, Parviz Kambin became fascinated by his country's history. In this textbook, he writes from a unique perspective about his native land's complex past. This history is more important than ever to understand as the East and West are increasingly at odds. Divided into six parts, the text covers key issues of the Iranian plateau, including: - how Arab-Islamic conquest affected the land and its people; - why the Pahlavi kings and limited monarchy were important; - how the belief system of occupants developed; - how art and science played an important role in society. You'll also discover the surprising freedoms that women enjoyed prior to the seventh century and little-known details behind the Arab-Islamic conquest. The achievements of Iranian poets, philosophers, and scientists are also a focal point. Develop a keen understanding of a region of the world that is increasingly playing a role on the world stage. Take a broad view of Iran's political landscape and the unrest that exists there today by looking back and exploring A History of the Iranian Plateau.