The Spirit of Allah: Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution

Khomeini was a little-known figure to most Iranians even as he took power in that country's 1979 revolution. In this detailed, balanced study, Taheri, former editor of the Iranian daily Kayhan and now resident in Europe, traces the rise of this ""quintessential'' mullah, who began life in an oasis-village religious family, pursued an eccentric, lone-wolf career, and emerged in the 1960s as a strong critic of the Shah and othersforeigners, Jewswho were considered enemies of Islam. While he was being written off as a political force, during his 16-year exile Khomeini actually strengthened his network of support in Iran, creating an illusion of moderation for his radical cultural revolution. Taheri is especially good on the complex social forces that set the stage for Khomeini's Islamic state and made him the ``only credible alternative'' to the Shah. Photos not seen by PW. February 10