An insider's account of the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution challenges popular beliefs while drawing on a wealth of memoirs, diaries and newspaper reports to discuss such topics as the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, the establishment of Saddam Hussein's Iraq and the development of Al-Qaida.

"Originally published in Great Britain in 2012 by John Murray Publishers"--Title page verso. Includes maps of: Iran under Pahlavi Rule; Southern Front in the Iran-Iraq War; Tehran, February 1979.

The origins of the Pahlavi state -- Cossack government -- The boy -- Ruhollah -- Ruritania -- The storm gathers -- The Indian -- The burnt cinema -- The junction -- A box of earth -- God is great -- Dog wedding -- The scent of watermelon -- Convoys of light -- Epilogue -- Appendix: Khomeini's letter of July 16, 1988.