Description
Book SynopsisThe Thousand Families by Ali Shabani, former court journalist and writer under Mohammad Reza Shah, is a lively and entertaining anecdotal history of the Qajar family, who ruled Iran from 1796 to 1925, as well as a number of their associates. Using memoirs, diaries, government documents, and nineteenth century histories, the author paints a vivid picture of the strengths and weaknesses, character and habits, and family backgrounds and familial legacies of the leading figures of the day. He comments, often ironically and with novel metaphors and sometimes biting criticism, on the behavior of these leaders, and he provides concise observations concerning the effects of their actions on the country and people of Iran. He outlines as well the policies and practices of the Qajars with respect to governance and traces the changes effected in the overall governmental structure of Iran during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The gradually increasing influence of foreign powe
Trade Review“
The Thousand Families, despite its deceptively populist title, is an excellent work of historical scholarship on a misunderstood period of Iranian and world history. With insights into the sources and a deep understanding of the dynamics of the inner workings of the Qajar court, Ali Shabani has produced a remarkable book whose periodization of Qajar administrative history is an excellent starting point for any study of nineteenth century Iranian history.”—Khodadad Rezakhani, Department of History, Princeton University
“The work of Ali Shabani mixes description with narrative, where powerful families, wealth, and historical personages shape what it means to be a Qajar politician and statesman. It offers public entertainment by reading history through court glamour and family politics—some of the staples of traditional history.
The Thousand Families is a valuable source for scholars who are interested in exploring the intersection of biography, historical writing, and public entertainment in modern Iran and the way the Qajar era is understood and represented during the mid-twentieth century.”—Rula Jurdi Abisaab, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University
Table of ContentsTranslators’ Introduction – Glossary – Preface to the Second Edition [Including a Letter from Shams Āl-e Ahmad] – Preface to the First Edition – The Era of Khans – The Age of Princes – The Arrival of the Court Bureaucrats – The Presence of the Statesmen – Parliamentary Government – Appendix A: Wives of Fath ʿAli Shāh – Appendix B: Sons of Fath ʿAli Shāh – Appendix C: Daughters of Fath ʿAli Shāh – Name Index – Subject Index.
