Customer Reviews

The Lion and the Throne: Stories from the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi, Vol. 1

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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I recently saw this book as well as the second volume in the planned three-volume set in the gift shop at the Sackler Gallery in Washington, D.C., in connection with an exhibit of art work from various Shahnameh manuscripts currently on display. In all fairness to the publisher, it should be pointed out that this is a gloriously illustrated art book, not simply a text. The full-color enlargements of miniature fragments from medieval Persian manuscipts are breathtakingly beautiful, and the high price no doubt reflects the fact that this book was very expensive to produce. It is exquisitely produced and for those who can afford it well worth the cost. The rest of us should urge our public libraries to acquire it!

The Book of Kings, or Shahnameh in Persian, is a compilation of ancient Iranian stories put in Persian verse by Ferdowsi in the 10th Century. Its earliest stories describe the period from the golden age of Elamite civilization to the birth of the prophet Zoroaster. Despite its blend of fantasy and history, this book has been Iran's emotional link to its past for a thousand years. The book itself survived the incredible devastation of the Mongol invasian to become a testament to patriotism and a text book on leadership. This translation includes some magnificent works of manuscript art/calligraphy from the version commissioned by the first two Safavid shahs. (A chapter by Stuart Welch masterfully analyzes the history and techniques of the artwork.) To grasp the moral power of the Book of Kings on Iranians one should recall that its stories have been used by rulers and revolutionaries alike to justify their actions, or inspire reaction, for centuries. The story of Kaveh the Ironsmith (the first non-introductory story of this volume) was used by the revolutionaries to inspire Iranians to rise up against the monarchy in 1979. I for one am very happy to finally see a complete English translation of this international literary classic, and can hardly wait for Volumes 2 & 3. My only criticism of this edition is its price. I hope Mr. Davis did not want to have this compete with the Houghton Shahnameh for exclusivity!

I have been looking for a version of the shah nameh that both adults and children could enjoy, for years. I was first exposed to these stories as a child by my grandfather and I have never forgotten them. The Heroism, Romance and Tragedy that one is exposed to in these stories is truly exhilarating. It is simply but lyrically translated.The book also has beautiful reproductions of the persian paintings on the shah nameh which are an added treat.
I eagerly await the two volumes which are yet to come.

In this first of three planned volumes, Dick Davis begins his effort to provide a fairly broad translation of the Shahnameh. He effectively utilizes the prosimetrum form, a mixture of verse and prose (naqqali in Farsi), where verse is used to accentuate periods of heightened tension.

In addition to being a fine literary accomplishement, this series of volumes is quite beautiful and heavily illustrated throughout with reprints from 16th and 17th century manuscripts. The books are very sturdy and make for excellent display.

Though enjoyable, this edition is not *quite* as sumptuous as I hoped - some of the reproductions are, sadly, blurred.