رضا شاه

Zibakalam's Reza Shah can be an intensely concise introductory book on this king most suitable to younger readers and broader audiences if shortened a tad. The book stands at 300 pages with only a handful of resources. One can literally count the references in this book on the fingers of one hand, and this is the biggest downside of Zibakalam's work.

Having that said, the endeavor Zibakalam has undertaken should not be neglected based on weak research. He has tried to shed light on one of the most influential figures in the modern history of Iran and he has more-or-less done what he has embarked on.

Reza Shah doesn't bring anything new to the table for the reader who seeks further analysis and nuanced knowledge of the era, but it rather compiles data that is scattered across hundreds of pages in the span of a rather thin volume.

For this, Zibakalam deserves applause. I think the problem lies with the advertisement (or lack thereof) for this book. Ordinary readers may think this is a book by a professor of the most prestigious university in the country, whereas it could've been published under a pseudonym by Zibakalam and null the criticism about the limited number of resources.

All in all, this should not be treated as an “academic” read, but a “popular” history book, and a rather good one at that (considering the lack of competition).

Merged review:

Zibakalam's Reza Shah can be an intensely concise introductory book on this king most suitable to younger readers and broader audiences if shortened a tad. The book stands at 300 pages with only a handful of resources. One can literally count the references in this book on the fingers of one hand, and this is the biggest downside of Zibakalam's work.

Having that said, the endeavor Zibakalam has undertaken should not be neglected based on weak research. He has tried to shed light on one of the most influential figures in the modern history of Iran and he has more-or-less done what he has embarked on.

Reza Shah doesn't bring anything new to the table for the reader who seeks further analysis and nuanced knowledge of the era, but it rather compiles data that is scattered across hundreds of pages in the span of a rather thin volume.

For this, Zibakalam deserves applause. I think the problem lies with the advertisement (or lack thereof) for this book. Ordinary readers may think this is a book by a professor of the most prestigious university in the country, whereas it could've been published under a pseudonym by Zibakalam and null the criticism about the limited number of resources.

All in all, this should not be treated as an “academic” read, but a “popular” history book, and a rather good one at that (considering the lack of competition).