The Golden Age of Persia (Paperback)

~ Richard N. Frye (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The definitive history of the birth and development of the great age of Iranian civilization by the world authority on ancient Persian culture. "This book is excellently written and well-organized to present a sound but reflectively new study of Islam's penetration...into Iran."--Peter Avery, The Middle East Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Press (August 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842120115
• ISBN-13: 978-1842120118
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #787,415 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A display of superb scholarship, October 4, 2000

By	"u2121873" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Professor Frye dispell the myth perpetuated by the Islamists as well as europhiles that the classical period in Iranian history was one of meagre achievement. The small volume of extant sources showed a highly sophisticated culture and references to other works during the same period point to a highly literate society. Professor Frye reconstruct Sassanid Persia and identifies it as the source of the Islamic golden age that followed. Beautifully written, this is the book that can be used by any novice to start a soundly grounded historical odyssey as well as by the more experienced reader to correct many of her misconception.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Between two stools, January 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Golden Age of Persia

Concentrates on the cultural effects of the Arab invasions and the extent to which Persian culture became a vector for the eastward spread of Islam in the 8th/9th centuries. A rather frustrating book, too detailed for beginners yet not specific enough on any detail to give a real insight to any of the individual historical events of which the theme is a composite. This is a shame as reading between the lines it seems apparent that the author was constrained by editorial pressure rather than lack of fact or interest.
Still as an overview of the achievements of the early Islamic era it is an original piece of scholarship.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very thorough but Dry, December 27, 2002

By	Jorg H. Lueke (Oakdale, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a work of very good scholarship and is well reasoned and supported spelling out an important history in Iranian and Islamic history. However, I would not recommend this for the casual historian but rather only to the dedicated student. The prose is quite dry and reading through it can become a chore rather than a delight. If you're looking for a general history stay clear if you need specific details at all costs than by all means buy this book.