This is not a complete translation of the "Shahnameh", in fact, it's hardly a translation at all. If you want to read the epic poem in its entirety, secure Dick Davis's prose translation published by Penguin Press. You won't regret it. Dick Davis is one of the finest scholars of Persian literation today, an inspired translator with a keen sense of poetry. His most recent publication, "Faces of Love", translates Hafez and two other poets of Shiraz and does full justice to these Persian-languages poets, unlike others who don't know Persian but claim Hafez visits their dreams! This publication has an entirely different purpose and fulfills that purpose with brilliance and wonder. Countless artists of the Islamic world have illustrated scenes and characters from Ferdowsi's epic. (Dick Davis's translation contains lithographs from 19th century versions.) For this volume an artist named Hamid Rahmanian took many illustrations and recast them to illuminate the text "with over 500 pages of lavish illustrations", as the publisher puts it. And the result is one of the most magical and uniquely beautiful books in my home library. Every time I look at it, read from it, browse through it I am happy that I bought it. Literally, every page is alive with color and design that illustrates the events of the text. The consistently high quality of these illustrations is breathtaking - there is not a false moment in the whole 572-page book! How many publications can you give such unreserved praise! Now for the text: as I wrote in my opening statement this is not the text of Ferdowsi's epic poem. A writer named Ahmad Sadri wrote a prose summary of the poem which makes up the text. In Dick Davis's translation, the illustrations serve his complete translation; in this version, Sadri's prose serves the illustrations. So the two versions are exact opposites. What this means is that this magnificent collection of creative illustrations can accompany you as you read Davis's translation. Or you can skip the epic in its complex and convoluted narrative (886 pages in the Penguin edition!) and enjoy this version as an object of art. Either way you will be enriched by your encounter with one of the great war epics of world literature, a work which occupies the same exalted status in Islamic culture that the "Iliad" and the "Aeneid" occupy in Western culture. (And aren't we Americans past due in appreciating Iranian culture in particular, considering our 21st century karma has inextricably entwined the fates of our two societies?) One further note: in 2006, the artist Zak Smith published a collection of pictures which illustrates what happens on each page of Thomas Pynchon's 1973 novel, "Gravity's Rainbow", an enormously complicated book well served by Smith's scintillating pictures. To one who has indeed the whole of Ferdowsi's epic poem, I can sincerely commend this version as an alternative to reading the medieval text. It is as if you were to see a film version of a novel that does justice to the book. For example, Terence Malick's film, "The Thin Red Line", from 1999 does justice to James Jones's 1962 novel. The important issue as I see it is this: in today's world cultural literacy involves a knowledge of the literature of the world of Islam. This version of one of the seminal works of Persian literature can provide that knowledge, and what's more, the experience of it through art. Read more

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The Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings is an absolutely beautiful book—both visually and in its storytelling. The quality of the print, binding, and illustrations is top-notch, making it a perfect gift for anyone interested in Persian culture, mythology, or epic literature. The stories are rich, dramatic, and timeless, capturing the grandeur of ancient Persia in a way that's truly unforgettable. A must-have for any collector or lover of classic tales. Read more

This version of Shahnameh covers the mythical account of the Persian Kings of the Achaemenid dynasty. It therefore covers 2/3 of the length of the standard account in Shahnameh, omitting the Sassanid kings, from the beginning of the story to the the death of Rostam. The book is a hardcover book, with a book slip but no dust jacket. The text and images is printed onto thick, glossy paper, and the effect can only be described as luscious. The text itself is of a style more similar to King Arthur, or The Hobbit. It lacks the literary quality of a modern classic like Lord of the Rings. The end result, for better or worse, is a bit like a 'coffee table' book. All the same, it is a nice bit of Iranian culture, made accessible to a British audience. Read more

This book is wonderful. I grew up with the stories of the Shahnameh and was always looking for a good translation with illustrations. The book is lavishly illustrated with lots and lots of superb images. The translation is flawless and you can see how much effort and soul the artist put into his designs. I can look ath this book for hours and always find something new and exiting. The scope of the book, its weight and looks for this price is an absolute bargain and I can only recommend to buy it. Either for yourself (if you have an Iranian background like me) or for people with a non-Iranian background because it is wonderfully translated with a caputring style as a wonderful introduction to the most important book of the Iranian world. An ideal present. Read more

We bought this as a gift but I am going to buy another one for myself. It is spendy but if you love mythology this is a beautiful book to buy. It’s functional as decor and great reading material. It is heavy and big so not for reading in bed. But if you have guests over it is a great conversation piece. The way they ship it is amazing, it comes shrink wrapped and in a compact box a packed inside the regular Amazon box so there was no damage. It’s protected in its own book box too. Obviously gorgeous artwork and storytelling too! Read more

Esta edición de Shahnameh es, sin duda, uno de los libros más bellos que jamás he visto, con una maquetación y unas ilustraciones absolutamente exquisitas. Es una auténtica obra de arte que es un deleite para los sentidos. Realmente impresiona. Mis felicitaciones al autor. Read more

This visually stunning volume is captivating both in its appearance and its content. The illustrations, meticulously curated by Hamid Rahmanian, are drawn from centuries of authentic manuscripts. Ahmad Sadri's translation of Ferdowsi's poetry is accessible and engaging. The tales of ancient Iran are truly intriguing. I wholeheartedly recommend this remarkable book! Read more

Brilliant work by Hamid and his team I am very happy with my purchase. Persian History and Poetry in fine form indeed 🙏 Read more