Nasir Khusraw, the Ruby of Badakhshan: A Portrait of the Persian Poet, Traveller and Philosopher [Paperback]

Alice C. Hunsberger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1850439265 | ISBN-13: 978-1850439264 | Publication Date: July 4, 2003

A renowned poet, philosopher, and traveler of the 11th century, Nasir Khusraw was also a major thinker and author of the Iranian lands. Writing exclusively in Persian, his writings have been preserved through the centuries by the Ismaili communities of the upper Oxus and Badakhshan, now situated in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This is the first comprehensive study in English of Nasir Khusraw's life and aspects of his theological and philosophical thought in the context of his times. Alice C Hunsberger, who has devoted more than ten years of study to this subject, also presents in this book a detailed classification of Nasir Khusraw's different writings, and a summary of medieval as well as modern biographical studies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Here, at last, is a book that succinctly introduces the Ismaili poet and da'I (missionary) Nasir-I Khusraw to the general reader, to his students, and to academics.' -Edebiyat: Journal of Middle Eastern Literatures '...Hansberger's book maintains the balance between being highly informative and pleasantly readable.' -Middle East Studies

About the Author

Alice C. Hunsberger has been a Research Fellow at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London and she has previously taught history, philosophy, and religion at Hunter College, Queens College, and the University of Technology in Isfahan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris (July 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1850439265
• ISBN-13: 978-1850439264
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,421,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional example of erudite research!, July 6, 2004

By 

Neil Dapper (Baltimore, Md United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nasir Khusraw, the Ruby of Badakhshan: A Portrait of the Persian Poet, Traveller and Philosopher (Paperback)

Dr Hunsberger's biography of the seminal Persian poet and philosopher is a must read for anyone curious about the state of affairs in the Middle East a millennium ago. Her exhaustive research and insight gives ballast and meaning to the personality of Nasir Khusraw as well as his travels and his journals. I highly recommend Dr Hunsberger's most-amazing book to any scholar devoted to Middle Eastern, Arabic, Persian or Islamic studies. Nasir was a dedicated scholar and so is Dr Hunsberger.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Splendid Example of Exhaustive Research!, July 13, 2004

By 

Neil Dapper (Baltimore, Md United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nasir Khusraw: the Ruby of Badakhshan: A Portrait of the Persian Poet, Traveller and Philosopher (Ismaili Heritage Series) (Hardcover)

Dr Hunsberger's book takes us on the wondrous travels of the seminal poet and philosopher who helped to shape the thinking and practices of his many readers and disciples. Her lively and insightful account of Nasir's hajj and his stops along the way make him come to life and illustrate how his experiences shaped his philosophy and influenced his timeless writing. Dr Hunsberger's artfully written book is must reading for those curious about the development of civilization in the Middle East.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nasir Khusraw The ruby of Badakshan, June 6, 2001

By 

Azmina Hasham (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nasir Khusraw: the Ruby of Badakhshan: A Portrait of the Persian Poet, Traveller and Philosopher (Ismaili Heritage Series) (Hardcover)

This book answered a lot of questions that I had about the people of Badakshan and surrounding areas. Extremely readable book. Age old philosophies disclosed, still relevant after 1000 years. Great poetry and translation by Alice Hunsberger. Must read by all Rumi fans.