The Iranian Mojahedin

By Ervand Abrahamian

Book Overview

In this book, a leading authority on Iranian political parties offers the first history of the Mojahedin, a little-known radical group that was instrumental in bringing the Ayatollah Khomeini to power but that now constitutes the main opposition to his Islamic Republic. Drawing on all available sources-including interviews with past and present members of the Mojahedin-Ervand Abrahamian traces their organization from the 1960s to the present. " This] book is important and useful not only because it is the first in English on its subject, but also because . . . it is objective. . . . I]ts approach is thoughtful, fresh and independent, being to Islam more or less what liberation theology is to Christianity."-Economist "Abrahamian's commentary on Ali Shariati and his relationship to the Mojahedin is a unique and impressive achievement. . . . Radical Islam is a learned, lucid and cogent piece of Iranian history. . . . The book is must reading for all experts and observers interested in the politics of the Islamic Revolution and the role of Iran's political culture."-Mansour Farhang, Middle East Report "The result is one of the best of so many books about Iran today."-A. R. H. Kellas, Asian Affairs "This is the most objective and comprehensive study available of the important Iranian movement."-Anthony Hyman, International Affairs

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300052677
• ISBN13: 9780300052671
• Release Date: October 1992
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

MKO is a terrorist organization

The material in this book is not only supported by the FBI and the US Congressional inquiry into the MKO solicited by Sen. McCain and others (seach for the MEK or MKO in the U.S. Congressional Record at www.thomas.gov for the full text of the investigation), but is also well-known to any Iranian. The MKO is a proto-fascistic cult in the service of Saddam Hussien.

excellent Book

In my opinion this book is a comprehencive review of Mojahedin-e-Khalg movement. It helped me to organize my thoughts about the idealogy, politics, and future of Mojahedin. It also provides a detail description of Iranian revolution (1979). A must reading material, particularly for the Mojahedin supporters (old and new).

A brilliant book revealing the true nature of the MKO.

Professor Abrahamian has through this excellent book given readers of all backgrounds an opportunity to read about the tragic history of the Mujahedin/National Council of Iranian Resistance without any biases. This comprehensive study on the most notorious Iraqi-backed terrorist organization will give the reader an understanding of why the organization was created, why it was popular before it allied itself with Saddam Hussein, why it is despised by Iranians in general today and why it is dying as an organization. The book also explains the Mujahedin's undertaking of terrorist attacks against Americans.

A Rigorous Introduction to the Sazeman-e Mojahedin-e Khalq

Dr. Abrahamian presents the Sazeman-e Mojahedin-e Khalq in a complete and unbiased review of their history. The text is easy reading yet thoroughly documented. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wishes a solid introduction to a group which has been categorized as a terrorist organization by both the Iranian and U.S. governments. Without the rhetoric so often accompanying the mention of the Mojahedin, the author presents a scholarly analysis of their history. It will become clear to the reader why the Mojahedin and the Rajavis are popular to some but hated and reviled by the majority of Iranians, both in Iran and abroad.

Excellent & Factual

This book is an excellent review of the history of this group which, alas, started out as a legitimate political force in Iranian politics but ended up collaborating with Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88, and has degraded into a terroristic cult of personality. The book is an eye-opener for anyone who is lacks familiarity with the aracana of Iranian exile group politics.