How did the Ayatollah Khomeini create his Islamic state? What were the ideas which drove him and his movement? What organization and methods helped bring him to power? This book analyses the ideaological roots of an Islamic state as conceived by the Ayatollah Khomeini. Surprisingly, the author finds much of the inspiration behind Khomeini's political thinking being influenced by Western sources - his writing on the supreme Islamic Jurist being affected by Plato's notions of the philosopher-king and his views of state power and centralism being closely linked to his understanding of Marxist/Leninist totalitarianism. Vanessa Martin considers the dynamics of the Iranian Revolution and the Islamist revival in a book which is especially relevant in the context of the debate arising out of Iran's elections.

'This valuable book is... an inspiring work of scholarship on the history of contemporary Iran and very stimulating in terms of exploring the possible indigenous sources for the construction of modernity based on philosophy and irfan in an Islamic setting. -Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 'In this excellent new book Martin... stimulates thought. The narrative and analysis are readable, well-edited and supplemented by glossary for non-specialists.' -History 'Creating an Islamic State will appeal not only to scholars and a broad spectrum of students but also to anyone with an interest in Middle East Politics and ideas and in Islam in general.' -Islam21, 12/00 'Martin's book is an excellent introduction to one of the most influential and, in terms of historical impact, most important personages in the second half of the 20th Century.'- Asian Affairs,

Vanessa Martin is lecturer in Modern Middle Eastern History at Royal Holloway College, University of London. She is author of *Islam and Modernism: The Iranian Revolution of 1906* (I.B. Tauris).