Beyond Our Borders: Iran Today

Many Americans only know Iran as a member of the “axis of evil,” but it's also a fascinating, beautiful country of great contrasts. An ancient nation that can trace its history back to 550 B.C., Iran is also very young, as over half the population is under 30 years old. Iran is under Sharia governance (strict Islamic law), and yet Iranian women are some of the most educated and accomplished in the Muslim world. Iran retains its own Indo-European language, Farsi, even though other Islamic countries speak Arabic. Like the other 29 volumes of the Beyond Our Borders series, Iran Today offers students a living portrait of a nation's culture, geography, resources, and history, using maps, archival footage, and excellent filming and narration. The current political significance of Iran is not discussed (the video's claim that Iran remains “warm and tolerant” would be hotly disputed by many, especially today); however, this is a good introduction, overall, for young adults who might only know that Iran is part of the Middle East. Other titles available in the series include Egypt, Indonesia, and Philippines. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (E. Gieschen)