Empire of the Mind: A History of Iran

For this meeting, we’ll be discussing Michael Axworthy’s Empire of the Mind: A History of Iran.

The book is 384 pages long. The audiobook version is around 13 hours.

Book Description

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the world’s perception of Iran has been largely defined by its turbulent relationship with the West, religious conservatism, and political repression. In Empire of the Mind, historian and former diplomat Michael Axworthy offers a broader and more nuanced view—charting Iran’s history from the Achaemenid Empire through to the Islamic Republic.

Axworthy combines political narrative with cultural insight, drawing attention to Iran’s deep literary, philosophical, and artistic traditions. This accessible and engaging book traces the continuity of Persian civilization across dynasties, revolutions, and invasions, offering readers a richer understanding of a nation too often reduced to headlines.