Elton L. Daniel is professor of history at the University of Hawaii, author of The History of Iran (Greenwood, 2000), and associate editor of Encyclopaedica Iranica.Ali Akbar Mahdi is professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Ohio Wesleyan University, author of several books on Iran, and editor of Teen Life in the Middle East (Greenwood, 2003).

This survey of Iran (aimed at students and general readers) covers the contemporary life of the country within a historical context. Daniel and Mahdi discuss the land and people; religions; literature and language; drama and cinema; architecture; carpets and the history of weaving; food and dining; family, women, marriage, and gender relations; holidays, festivals, and events; and Persian music and dance. Only limited coverage of sports, dress, painting, ceramics, and metalwork is provided. B&W photos are included.

• Series ForewordPrefaceChronology1. Introduction: The Land and the People2. Religions and Religious Life3. Literature4. Drama and Cinema5. Architecture6. Carpets7. Food and Dining8. Family, Women, and Gender Relations9. Holidays, Festivals, and Annual Events10. Music and DanceGlossarySelected BibliographyIndex