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The Iran-Iraq War Volume 1: The Battle For Khuzestan, September 1980-May 1982 by E.R. Hooton, Tom Cooper, Farzin Nadimi, published by Helion and Company On 16th January 1979, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi left Iran for good, thus cementing the revolution that had sought to topple his failing regime and paving the way for foundation of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the rule of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Fearing the destablising effect of the Iranian Revolution on Iraq, Saddam Hussian made the decison to invade Iran, sparking the longest uninterrupted conventional conflict of the twentieth century. Although not etched on the conscience of the west to the extent of other conflicts of the preiod, the Iran-Iraq War was nevertheless one of the most important conflicts of the time. Apart from the significant loss of life and impact on civilians in the region, it was also an important stepping stone on the path to fundementalist Islamic terrorism. This book, the first in a series of four, has been painstakingly compiled by authors with impressive credentials when it comes to defence matters in the Middle East. This volume examines the background to the conflict and the early years, leading up to the ferocious Battle of Khorramshahr in May 1982. The book sets out the political, social and military apects of the early years of confict in a clear and engaging way. The text is thoughtful and insightful throughout, leaving the reader with a good understanding of the origins and history of the conflict, as well as the early engagements. While the book is not aimed directly at the modeller, it nevertheless contains a huge amount of valuable information for those interested in the hardware deployed in the conflict. Middle Eastern conflicts of the twentieth century typically featured a fascinating mixture of NATO and Warsaw Pact military hardware, a legacy of the imperial past clashing with the post-war reality of the rise of Soviet influence and power. The book is rich in illustrative material, containing 120 photographs and 15 illustrations within its 112 pages. Plenty of information about the military inventories of the two sides is provided, alongside photographs and descriptions of locally modified armoured fighting vehicles. Conclusion This book is a valuable addition to the Middle East War series and deserves a place in the collection of anyone interested in the military conflicts of the region. Modellers will be rewarded with a valuable visual reference, as well as an inspiring read which will have you poking around in your stash, looking for a suitable kit to build from the conflict. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of