"Adopting a longue duree perspective, Behrooz Moazami weaves the parallel yet interdependent narratives of state formation in Iran and the institutionalization of a differentiated religious field led by the ulama until they fuse dramatically in the Iranian Revolution: a revolution that remains unfinished as long as the fundamental tension between a theocratic regime and a citizens' republic remains unresolved. Moazami's comparative historical analysis challenges equally the historicist assumptions of Iranian particularism and the universalist assumptions of Western social scientific paradigms." - Jose Casanova, Professor of Sociology and Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University, USA "This is a sophisticated examination of the complex and tortuous relationships between state and religion, politics and theology, monarchy and clergy, secularism and Islam in the course of the last two centuries in Iran. It is a useful read for sociologists and political scientists, as well as historians of modern Iran." - Ervand Abrahamian, Distinguished Professor of History, City University of New York, USA "Behrooz Moazami has written an excellent book that challenges prevailing theories of religion and politics in Iran. He presents a novel, convincing analysis of the parallel development of state making and building of religious institutions in Iran. It will be of interest to a broad audience within history, political science, sociology, and beyond." - Misagh Parsa, Professor of Sociology, Dartmouth College, USA