July 12, 2011
After 16 years from its first printing, "The A to Z of Iran" by John Lorentz, assistant provost for International Program Development at Shawnee State University, has been revised and updated to reflect all the changes over the years in a new edition, "Historical Dictionary of Iran."
"The first edition came out in 1995 and a second printing in 2007," Lorentz said. "With the second edition, I had to add a lot because of so much happening over more than a decade."
A British publisher wanted to publish the book in Great Britain but the American publisher wouldn't let go of it. The publisher, Scarecrow Press Inc., published a series of books about every country in the world on the same concept as the Lorentz' book.
Midwest Book Review considers his book "A top reference for any in-depth collection where students study Middle Eastern countries and issues."
Numerous details are described in the book with more than 300 dictionary entries on important people places and events, institutions and major features of its politics, economy, society, culture and religion.
"Historical Dictionary of Iran" gives readers an extensive overview of specific events from 1800 to the present. Through its chronology, introduction, bibliography, appendixes and cross-referenced dictionary entries, this volume allows for considerable exploration of a number of historical and contemporary topics and issues.
"Iran is a country with a deep and complex history," Lorentz said. "Over several thousand years, Iran has come to hold a significant role in history, most recently in the unfolding drama of worldwide nuclear arms proliferation and terrorism, all the more reason to explore the characters and personality of this Islamic country and its inhabitants."
The book can be purchased at www.amazon.com