Shahnameh

Price: $45

Reviews:

"The definitive English-edition Shahnameh. There cannot be a more lovingly translated, artfully presented version—what a profound gift for lovers of Iran, history, language, poetry, humanity. What a gift for us all."
—Kaveh Akbar, author of Martyr!

"The single most important text for understanding the history and worldview of the Persianate world. .... The modern translation in prose by Ahmad Sadri beautifully captures the essence of this great medieval Persian epic for the English-speaking world."
—Touraj Daryaee, Maseeh Chair in Persian Studies and Culture, University of California, Irvine

"A masterpiece of world literature that has influenced some of the greatest works ever written—from Dante to Tolkien. Ahmad Sadri’s new, contemporary translation of the Shahnameh captures the beauty and grandeur of this sweeping epic of heroism, love, and the timeless struggle for justice. .... An accessible, powerful experience of this enduring classic."
—Reza Aslan, author of An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville

"A masterful prose translation of the Shahnameh ... which remains a pillar of Iranian identity to this day. This new translation will make the tales of the Shahnameh, replete with heroes, kings, and moral injunctions, available to a new generation of readers."
—Ali M. Ansari, founding director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St. Andrews

Description:

A fresh, lyrical new translation of Persia’s founding epic.

Abu al-Qasem Ferdowsi (940–1020 CE), one of Iran’s greatest poets, versified the ancient legends of the Persian Book of Kings (Shahnameh) in verse over one thousand years ago. It is the longest poem written by a single poet. A combination of myth and history told over a series of 50,000 elegant couplets, Ferdowsi dedicated thirty-three years of his life to writing the Shahnameh and intended it to protect the Persian collective memory and its language amid a turbulent sea of cultural storms. This celebrated work traces the storied history of the Iranian people, beginning with the origin myths of civilization and ending with the Arab Conquest of Iran in the seventh century. Featuring a preface by editor and Guggenheim fellow Hamid Rahmanian and an introduction by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, chair of ancient history at Cardiff University, this lush translation by Ahmad Sadri renders the tale in highly accessible yet atmospheric prose for contemporary audiences. Under Sadri’s deft hand, legendary adventures of superhuman heroes, encounters with magical creatures, and heart-wrenching love stories come alive off the page, capturing readers’ imaginations.

To this day, people of all ages in Persianate societies can recite lines of Shahnameh by heart. The book continues to be read in family gatherings and performed by professional reciters in the teahouses of Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. The bedrock of Iranian nationhood and a literary masterpiece, this beloved epic holds the promise of cultural conservation—and celebration—within its every page.