"I can't think of any book in English that serves so well as a primer and introduction to Shi'ism and as a brilliant account of revolutionary theory in Iran... An original book, in various aspects, and unique for the range of coverage." Ira M Lapidus, University of California at Berkeley.
"Written in the best tradition of French participatory observation of Islam by one of the world's leading scholars of Shi'ism and Iran, this is unquestionably the most comprehensive account of the historical, religious, and sociological factors that have contributed to the emergence of the 'islamic revolution' in Iran, as well as a most insightful analysis of the dynamics of contemporary ideological and political trends in the islamic world at large. Obviously a very important book." Professor Hermann Landolt, McGill University.