Contesting the Iranian Revolution: The Green Uprisings: Alimagham, Pouya: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store

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Contesting the Iranian Revolution: The Green Uprisings
by Pouya Alimagham (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars (28)

Most observers of Iran viewed the Green Uprisings of 2009 as a 'failed revolution', with many Iranians and those in neighbouring Arab countries agreeing. In Contesting the Iranian Revolution, however, Pouya Alimagham re-examines this evaluation, deconstructing the conventional win-lose binary interpretations in a way which underscores the subtle but important victories on the ground, and reveals how Iran's modern history imbues those triumphs with consequential meaning. Focusing on the men and women who made this dynamic history, and who exist at the centre of these contentious politics, this 'history from below' brings to the fore the post-Islamist discursive assault on the government's symbols of legitimation. From powerful symbols rooted in Shiʿite Islam, Palestinian liberation, and the Iranian Revolution, Alimagham harnesses the wider history of Iran and the Middle East to highlight how activists contested the Islamic Republic's legitimacy to its very core.
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'Alimagham has done a fine job of understanding and explaining the ideas and motivations of Green movement activists largely on their own terms and using their own words. It is an important work of scholarship, and anyone that wants to understand modern Iran better would benefit from reading it. This study deepened and improved my own understanding of the modern political scene in Iran, and I think it will be a valuable reference work for a long time to come.' The American Conservative
About the Author
Pouya Alimagham is Lecturer and historian of the Middle East at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Receiving his Ph.D. in History from the University of Michigan, his thesis on which this book is based was awarded the Mehrdad Mashayekhi Dissertation Award by the Association for Iranian Studies in 2016.

Product details
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B082PZZGTS
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ 19 March 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 8.2 MB

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From other countries

Ardeshir

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading

Reviewed in the United States on 25 July 2020

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In a time of mass protest and violence over racial justice issues in the United States, I can think of no book that gives greater insight on the psychology of the crowd than Pouya Alimagham’s “Contesting the Iranian Revolution”. It’s such a rare treat to feel that a book gives you insight into reality, and Alimagham’s book does just that. To be clear, Alimagham’s book is highly specialized, but completely comprehensible. Even the most rudimentary knowledge of the Iranian revolution and its aftermath allow the reader to navigate the text. But just in case, he gives us a substantive, targeted background on the run up to the Green Movement. Alimagham’s research methods are not conventional, but they are innovative. His mastery of digital sourcing makes the book and its footnotes remarkable. One can tell this is a book that is literally over a decade in the making, as many of the digital sources that Alimagham references have been censored or removed. That is, the book captures a historical moment in real time after the fact DESPITE authorities attempting to reframe the story years later. In that way, this work becomes indespensable to anyone trying to understand what the crowd was “thinking” at that moment in time.

To be sure, many have written on the psychology of crowds before this writers work, and some of that is described by Alimagham himself. Where the book obtains it’s originality is in how he contemplates the unique characteristics of Iranian culture and history in shaping the rallying cries of the Green Movement supporters. Indeed, the crowd of the Green Movement was a living and breathing history of their parents and grandparents. The writer does a masterful job in documenting the extensive sloganeering, propagandizing, and information technology methods of the Green Movement. Every slogan, political holiday, and symbolic gesture takes on a life of its own in the book, with a history and context. The central tenet of the book is that Green Movement supporters co-opted the Islamic regimes methods of propaganda. But this is almost an understatement, as Alimagham documents a full blown theft in chapters 4 and 5. There, he extensively documents how the Green supporters used the Palestinian issue(sometimes incoherently), and the traditional Shiite religious holiday of Ashura to further their cause in a sort of schizophrenic attempt at undermining Islamic governance while using an Islamic framework to do so. It’s a fascinating read.

A note on the footnotes: the footnotes are incredibly detailed, and could almost be their own text. The reader would do well to review the footnotes separately as a wealth of knowledge appears here, giving the book a second and third life.

To summarize, “Contesting the Iranian Revolution” is a book like no other in that it is able to capture the zeitgeist of the moment. Regardless of your level support for large crowd protests and the accompanying violence that ensues, it’s essential to know what motivates and energizes such movements. Alimagham would do well to consider writing on other large crowd protest movements, as this level of insight is non existent in traditional media and academic circles.

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Yasar K.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read, if you love reading and history

Reviewed in Canada on 13 June 2020

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An excellent book to read and it goes deep into the 2009 Iranian election. I have been reading it since I got it. 100% read tht footnotes.

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Marc Martorell

5.0 out of 5 stars A very relevant and original approach to the 2009 Green Movement

Reviewed in Spain on 12 December 2020

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Pouya Alimagham’s book explores how the 2009 Green Movement challenged the Islamic Republic of Iran on its own terms by appropriating and reprogramming revolutionary symbols and history. The book challenges many received wisdoms about Iran and will prove to be of great value to scholars of the country. Plus, due to its engagement with more general social protest and revolution theory, Contesting the Iranian Revolution is a positive contribution to broader debates in social sciences.

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eileen sadati

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging and Digestible Overview of Modern Iranian History

Reviewed in the United States on 29 December 2024

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I bought this book hoping to gain a better understanding of contemporary Iranian history. I had little to know prior exposure to the Iranian Revolution or the Green Uprisings before my reading but had no issue understanding the text at all. The book was written concisely and thoughtfully. It explains the Green Movement like a story, weaving together information from the Iranian Revolution and 1953 Iranian Coup to contextualize the modern Iranian political landscape. It has helped me better understand the current state of Middle Eastern politics and Iran's geopolitical stance. Highly recommend to anyone interested in history, politics, or the Middle East!

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Sophia Poteet

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read for scholars, students, and casual readers alike

Reviewed in the United States on 4 January 2021

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As an American college student with minimal prior experience studying Iran or its protest movements, I found this book to be a deeply compelling and informative account of not only the Green Movement of 2009, but also the history of protest and politics in Iran since the 1979 revolution. Alimagham situates the Green Movement within the larger context of Iranian history and regional dynamics, all the while keeping the focus of the book squarely on the Iranian people whose creative tactics kept the uprising alive throughout 2009 despite continued state repression. He clearly explains the protest tactics and discourse that shaped the uprising, from taxi drivers covertly disseminating protest information to their customers, to protesters utilising religious holidays to mobilize and threaten the Iranian state's monopoly over religion. Through his detailed explanation of the significance of the Islamic symbols the protestors co-opted from the state, Alimagham pushes back at the idea that the Green Movement was necessarily a total failure.

The book is engagingly written, and I found it so hard to put down I finished my first reading in one sitting. The detailed footnotes in every chapter reveal the extensive research that went into this book, and are well worth an in-depth perusal. As an academic work it is perfectly suited to scholars of the region, but the background Alimagham provides on Iran and its history makes the book equally well suited to readers new to the subject of Iran. Even if you have never heard of the Green Movement before reading Alimagham's book, you will walk away from the book with a thorough appreciation for the significance of this movement, the complexities of Iranian domestic politics, and the perseverance and tenacity of the Iranian people.

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sam

5.0 out of 5 stars An enganging and unique analysis of the Green Movement

Reviewed in the United States on 30 December 2022

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Often, history books will focus on the actions of leaders and power-brokers as a description of history. This depiction of history breaks down in particular when describing grass-roots protest and revolutionary movements. Alimagham approaches the Green Movement from what is a more correct perspective -- building a "down-up" approach where the atomic actions and symbols of protestors and crowds are analyzed and applied to the greater context of the revolution. But the book doesn't get too caught in the weeds either, allowing the reader to see the larger picture and actions of the Green Movement that resulted from the actions of protestors. Overall, the book provides a fresh, comprehensive look at the Green Movement, with context provided that allows a reader to understand most of the book without a detailed understanding of Iranian history.

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Shay

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is incredible!

Reviewed in the United States on 8 April 2020

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Pouya Alimagham does a great job of making sure this book does not read like a dry history textbook. His thorough research, unquestionable expertise and clear passion for the subject matter really show as he explains Iranian history in a dynamic and interesting way. I could barely put my copy down! I thoroughly enjoyed the way he detailed significant events from Iran’s history to highlight their modern day relevance to the Green Uprisings of 2009. Iran has a rich history rooted in resistance and the Green Movement was no different. Alimagham takes the time to explain the history, symbolism and significance of each state holiday subverted by the Green Movement activists to not only contest the results of the 2009 election but to contest the legitimacy of Islamic Republic itself. Protip: do not forget to read the footnotes! They are filled with interesting facts and some fascinating personal anecdotes from Alimagham’s years of research on the subject matter.

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Ashton Hashemipour

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone interested in modern Iranian history

Reviewed in the United States on 5 January 2021

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By showing how Iranian protesters appropriated revolutionary symbols, Alimagham provides an intriguing perspective on the Green Movement, while also challenging how we understand the Iranian Revolution. His usage of primary sources - such as interviews with protest leaders and social media posts - are both innovative from an academic perspective but also provide insight into the individuals who made the movement, their differing motivations, and their ingenuity in turning the government’s rhetoric against itself. Not only does Alimagham’s account help us understand the Green Movement and the revolution, but he has also helped us frame the past decade of Iranian politics: many themes Alimagham delves into can be seen in other protest movements (e.g., the appropriation of Palestine). For anyone looking to understand modern Iran, this book is necessary, as it answers questions about the legacy of the revolution and the role of individual Iranians in contesting their own government. His passion for the topic is clear and you can feel his excitement - making this a very stimulating read.

I would also recommend paying close attention to the footnotes if you’re interested in learning more about Iranian history in general, beyond the Green Movement — they are very comprehensive (especially in the section about Montazeri).

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Lee

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative Read

Reviewed in the United States on 30 December 2020

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Although this was required reading, I found it to be a quite interesting analysis of a modern protest movement which I would recommend for both historians and laypersons alike. Alimagham connects the Green Movement to earlier protest movements in Iran through the last century, illustrating how the contemporary analytic landscape has changed rapidly with the exponential expansion of technology. Paying great attention to detail with his multimedia analysis, Alimagham describes how new technology changed the protest landscape in 2009 after the contested presidential election, for instance by highlighting how the government lost their monopoly over news coverage once citizens with cellphones started recording the truth. Moreover, Alimagham describes symbol by symbol how the Iranian government lost their monopoly over Islamic symbolism after the green activists reappropriated those symbols, which as he points out, the activists had learned through the government's own institutions. To accompany these points, Alimagham includes figures that both emphasize how the green activists reappropriated these symbols, alongside highlighting his multimedia approach to analyzing this movement. Overall, this informative book should be required reading for all students studying Iran and the region, especially as it relates to post-Islamism, as well as those interested in a deeper understanding of modern day protest movements.

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Margo Collett

5.0 out of 5 stars An important and timely book

Reviewed in the United States on 2 January 2021

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As a US reader curious about the recent developments in Iran, I found Pouya Alimagham’s account of Iran’s Green Revolution in Contesting The Iranian Revolution informative and compelling reading (even the footnotes). Writing about events as they unfolded in the streets of Tehran, based mainly on social media reports, interviews, and videos uploaded and distributed by participants, Alimagham brings the voices of the often enormous and persevering crowd to life, while providing a detailed analysis of their disciplined and sophisticated use of religious and Islamic Revolutionary rhetoric, symbols, and holy days to protest and subvert the regime. He backs up his argument with ample illustrations, including stamps and banknotes, cartoons and murals in addition to photographs. How the Green Movement circumvented the state’s restrictions on internet use and on public gatherings to mobilize such a large segment of the population is a very exciting and inspiring part of this book. So too is the full participation Alimagham credits the women of Iran for in this movement.

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Rabi Sahoo

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Argument About the Repercussions of the 2009 Election

Reviewed in the United States on 19 December 2024

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

While one may be initially skeptical, the author makes a sound argument that while the 2009 Green Uprisings nominally failed to cancel the election results, they were still consequential. Specifically, the people's appropriation of various religio-political symbols permanently transformed the political scene.

Some of the Green Uprisings' impacts are more obvious at a glance, like the incorporation of green imagery and pro-Mousavi slogans in the subsequent 2013 and 2017 elections. Others are more subtle, such as how the movement continued to empower women in the Iranian political sphere. Though published in 2020, the author’s vision in this regard has continued to pan out. For example, one could argue that the collective action over Neda Agha-Soltan’s death in 2009 served as a template for the protests after Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022.

Overall, even if one has questions or disagreements about certain aspects of the text, the author provides a rather interesting and underrated lens through which to view collective action within the country.

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Amazon Customer

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely and Needed Book on Iran

Reviewed in the United States on 6 January 2023

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

While many academic books and history titles may be less accessible for the average reader, Alimagham does a wonderful job explaining an important chapter in Iran’s contemporary history in a way that is both informative and engaging. With a wealth of primary source material and online videos, Alimagham’s book takes you through the events of the contested 2009 election in Iran and the ensuing Green Movement, with an eye to the history that helps to contextualize this watershed moment. A history from below, the book looks at Iranian men and women, to examine how ordinary citizens challenged the rule of the Islamic Republic.

Avoiding the simple binary of win/loss, Alimagham traces the significance of the green uprisings within Iran’s revolutionary history, as well as the successes of ordinary Iranians. This excellent book is a timely read for anyone interested in understanding contemporary Iran.

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Razi

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal

Reviewed in the United States on 7 November 2020

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As an Iranian who was born and raised in the country and having been involved in the Green Movement there, I picked up Alimagham’s book with skepticism; I thought nobody from outside the country could feel what we have witnessed firsthand. However, Alimagham proved me wrong in this thorough analysis of the Green Movement. Having not been raised in Iran did not limit his understanding of the complexity of Iran’s politics; rather, it gave him a healthy distance to see all the sides with clear eyes. Personally, I was amazed that he was able to see women’s role in the Green Movement as it’s reflected on the cover and the major events described in the book. Alimagham’s passionate writing rich in evidence from academic research makes this book a good primer for the readers of all levels. Highly recommended!

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Steffi

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful piece for those who are unfamiliar with the region

Reviewed in the United States on 31 December 2020

Format: KindleVerified Purchase

As a person who grew up not knowing much about the region, I found this book enlightening in many ways. Pouya Alimagham does a fantastic job in highlighting the events of 2009 through a clear-cut analysis. This book has taught me how Western Media tends to skew the events that have occurred within Iran. It is clear that Alimagham thoroughly researched this subject as he made an impressive argument about how the very symbols that created the Islamic Republic were eventually used against them during the Green Uprisings. I highly recommend this book to anyone curious to learn more about Iran's crucial role within the international political arena.

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N Shekarabi

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must-read!

Reviewed in the United States on 23 September 2020

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I am a political science professor and I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which now I use as part of my material for my international relations and comparative politics courses. The book is rich with a tapestry of Iranian history which helps to clarify and explain not only the political turmoil in Iran, but the cultural discourse by which events in Iran unfold. It is a delightful to read and very well-organized. Even if you are not in the field of politics, it is a must-read for having a deeper appreciation and understanding for Iran and its vital role not only in the region but in the world.

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Alexander Thurston

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for advanced courses

Reviewed in the United States on 1 May 2023

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I assigned this book in a course I taught for advanced undergraduate students - the course is called "Coups, Protests, and Revolutions." The students benefited a lot from the author's in-depth portrait of the Green Movement and its wider significance in Iran and beyond.

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Daniel L.

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding analysis

Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2020

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Alimagham has done a fine job of understanding and explaining the ideas and motivations of Green movement activists largely on their own terms and using their own words. It is an important work of scholarship, and anyone that wants to understand modern Iran better would benefit from reading it. This study deepened and improved my own understanding of the modern political scene in Iran, and I think it will be a valuable reference work for a long time to come.

Report

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