Scrawled Shortcuts through the Research Maze
Iran Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Islamic Republic
Khamenei, Khomeini, Khatami, Ahmadinejad---don’t call the whole thing off, get some background on the modern Iranian state here.
Reference DS 253.I69 2008
Historical Dictionary of Iraq
The Ba’ath party has nothing to do with water… If your knowledge of Iraq covers only Saddam Husayn and perhaps the Kurds, look here to sort out Shatt Al-Arab from Al-Basra and Faysal I from Muqtada al-Sadr.
Reference 956.7 G411h
Historical Dictionary of the Kurds
You know about Kurds in Iraq, but did you know that the great warrior Saladin was one? This volume’s Introduction also provides a historical framework.
Reference 956.67003 G977h
The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World
What’s the Islamic Republican Party? How about a maya? Struggling with the difference between Sunni, Shi’ah, and Sufi? Look here for brief backgrounds on both Iran and Iraq, as well as on Islamic cultural concepts.
Reference DS 35.53 .O96
Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures
‘Cherchez la femme’? Find out what women’s lives are like in Islamic cultures, including Iran and Iraq, here. Caution: not all subjects are covered for all areas.
Reference 305.4869703 E56e
Index Islamicus
Find academic articles on all aspects of Islam and the Muslim world.
Under “Religion and Theology” on the Resources by Subject page.
Ethnic NewsWatch
In their own words: see specialized news coverage from Arab & Islamic minorities as well as Jewish/Israeli sources.
Under “News” on the Resources by Subject page.
Atlas of the Middle East
Is Shahr Park in Baghdad or Tehran? Confused when listening to NPR reports?
Need help finding your way around Iranian and Iraqi geography? See here:
Atlases 912.56 N277