Nubar Hovsepian, The War on Lebanon (Northampton, Mass.: Olive Branch Press, 2008). Pp. 439. $20.00 paper.

Abstract

Naghibi's book presents an insightful and informative history of Western women's involvement in Iranian politics. She challenges Western feminism to rethink the history of its engagement with the Iranian women's movement. Of more importance, she draws attention to the resilient and dynamic feminist politics that have emerged in Iran. My only criticism of this piece is related to a general problem I see arising when previously published work is included in a book without modifications or updates. Chapter 2 of Naghibi's book first appeared in 1999 and therefore does not include any of the more recent developments in the very indigenous feminist politics that she deems important. An update of this chapter would have greatly enhanced her case. Aside from this, I think her book is a welcome addition to the ongoing debates on feminism in Iran and can be used effectively in upper-level courses on modern Iran, gender, and the Middle East.