The first Houshang Pourshariati Book Award in Iranian Studies was presented at the MESA 2007 Annual Meeting in Montréal November 17-20. 2007 Award Recipients Winner: Beatrice F. Manz, Tufts University Power, Politics and Religion in Timurid Iran (Cambridge University Press) Beatrice Manz (L) with Nasrin Rahimieh (R)   Honorable Mention: Vanessa Martin, University of London The Qajar Pact: Bargaining, Protest and the State in 19th Century Persia (I.B. Tauris)

The Houshang Pourshariati Iranian Studies Book Award was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding publishing in Iranian studies. The award was named for Houshang Pourshariati to recognize his long and distinguished career as a journalist and writer.

The Middle East Studies Association invites nominations for the 2008 Houshang Pourshariati Iranian Studies Book Award. Nominations can be made by either the publisher or the author. Although there is no limit on the number of titles that authors or publishers may submit, we ask that they exercise discretion in the selection of books nominated. Below is a list of criteria that should be met:

1.   Books must be non-fiction scholarly monographs based on original research published in English* between May 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008. Authors need not be members of MESA.
*Works translated from other languages into English will also be considered, but will be judged by the same rigorous standards as those for works submitted in English.

2.   Subject matter must deal with Iran and the work must seek to advance knowledge and scholarship on Iranian society, culture, and history from ancient times to the present and as addressed by the fields of literature, philosophy, social studies, art, science, and other disciplines. The purview of these works should be clearly that of an Iranist. The works considered should demonstrate substantive understanding of the social and political experiences of the Iranian people and their civilization and their contribution to and influences on the world at large.

3.   Works not eligible include edited collections and compilations, proceedings of symposia, new editions of previously published books, bibliographies, dictionaries, and textbooks.
4.   Nominations must be made by May 8, 2008, with books delivered to the readers by May 15, 2008, or books will not be eligible for the 2008 competition.

The author of the winning book will receive $2000 and a certificate of award. Honorable mentions also receive a certificate of award. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony at the 42nd MESA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in November 22-25. As well, the results will be announced in the MESA Newsletter and in other publications as deemed appropriate by MESA.

To Nominate a Book

Deadline: MAY 8, 2008

Please include the full title, author’s full name, publisher, and publication date of the book.

1. Send a letter of nomination and one copy of the book to the Awards Coordinator at the MESA Secretariat.

Sara L. Palmer, Award Coordinator
2008 Houshang Pourshariati Iranian Studies Book Award Competition
Middle East Studies Association
1219 N Santa Rita Ave
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona 85721
(520) 626-4753 (direct line)
(520) 626-9095 (fax)
palmers@email.arizona.edu

2. Send one copy of the book(s) to each of the following three readers on the Book Award Committee. Books must reach the readers by May 15, 2008.

Lois Beck, Chair
Washington University in St. Louis
409 Ziercher Street
Olivette MO 63132-4472

Kathryn Babayan
Dept of Near Eastern Studies
University of Michigan
202 South Thayer Street
Ann Arbor MI 48104

Mohammad Ghanoonparvar
University of Texas at Austin
2105 Waterway Bend
Austin TX 78728s