Concentrating on the Buyid dynasty that ruled in Iran and Iraq during the 10th and 11th centuries, Mottahedeh (history and Islamic studies, Harvard U.) portrays an Islamic society undergoing a great social upheaval. The first edition was published in 1980 by Princeton University Press. He has clarified a few matters that readers had misunderstood, substituting some anecdotes for others. Distributed in the US by St. Martin's Press. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)