Hamid Dabashi is the Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. He has written over 20 books, in addition to authoring over 100 essays, articles and book reviews. An internationally renowned cultural critic and award-winning author, his writings have been translated into numerous languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Turkish.

A profoundly thoughtful analysis of Iran's convulsive political identity from one of the world's most brilliant and informed cultural critics. Dabashi intersperses his elegant narrative with rich philosophical commentary. A literary treasure.

• 1. The Paradox2. Jammed in a Jungle and Nowhere to Go3. The Fox in the Hen House4. It's a Jungle out there5. Outfoxing the Wily Fox6. Paradox Redux7. The Fox in the Box8. The Retrieval of a Cosmopolitan CultureConclusion: People and their Parables