Table of Contents

Preface The Orphan: Childhood in Khomein In the Seminary: Student Years in Qom In Search of Perfection: Taking Refuge in Mysticism The Formation of a Politician: Reza Shah and After Challenging His Majesty Khomeini and the Shah in Conflict The Leader: Khomeini and the 1963 Uprising Arrest and Imprisonment The Emergence of a Political Ayatollah In the Den of the Snakes: Exile in Turkey and Iraq Waiting in the Wings: Iran Prepares for Revolution Khomeini in Paris: The End of an Empire Revolution: The Return of the Imam The Ruler: Creating an Islamic Republic The Warrior and his Theocracy: Khomeini Defies the World The Rise of the Phoenix: Khomeini's Last Months Khomeini's End: Death of a Patriarch Notes Select Bibliography Index

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Examines the process which saw an old Muslim theologian overthrow the Shah of Iran and become the leader of a militant Islamic regime. It examines the background and early life of the Ayatollah and the ideas and beliefs that lay behind his opposition to the Shah.

About the Author

Baqer Moin is a specialist on Iran and Islam and is former Head of the BBC's Persian Service. He was born into a religious family and studied theology at traditional schools in Iran's most important shrine city, Mashhad. He has written extensively on Islam, Iran and Afghanistan.