The major theme of this book is authority in Shi'ism with special emphasis on its institutionalization in different historic periods from the beginning of Shi'ism in the Middle Ages to the present. Part I presents new material on important or neglected issues that are at the center of current scholarly debate, including the fundamental relationship between knowledge and authority in pristine Shi'ism, aspects of popular culture in medieval Shi'ism, the institutionalization of religious authority in Shi'ite Iran from the 16th to 18th centuries, and the centralization of religious authority in the 19th century. The editor provides an analysis of the ideological revolution in Shi'ism during the 1970s and 1980s. Important documents and primary sources have been selected for Part II representing the major trends in the history of Shi'ism. With two exceptions, these sources have neither been available in English translation nor easily accessible in the original Arabic or Persian. An extensive introduction by the editor effectively connects Parts I and II of the book.