Iran’s encounter with modernity has produced a variety of responses from Iranian intellectuals. Like other countries in the Middle East, these thinkers sought to balance the need for cultural change and adaptation with the need to maintain and construct an authentic national identity. This volume brings together several of the most distinguished Iranian Studies scholars to interpret and analyze this topic. Brilliantly edited by Ramin Jahanbegloo, these chapters are an invaluable contribution to the field of Iranian and Middle East studies. A must-read book that no serious student of Iranian intellectuals and Iran’s troubled engagement with modernity can afford to miss.

Nader Hashemi, University of Denver

“Mapping the Role of Intellectuals in Iranian Modern and Contemporary History is the most comprehensive and detailed history of intellectuals and their struggle in Iran for the past three centuries. What makes this book stand out from previous works is that it represents diverse voices from a broad political and ideological spectrum. Dr. Ramin Jahanbegloo must be congratulated for this very important book on country which eludes the West (or on a country whose world-view is little understood).”

Touraj Daryaee, University of California, Irvine