Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings

A new lushly illustrated edition of the classic work Shahnameh. Ferdowsis epic poem Shahnameh is part myth part historyit begins with the legend of the birth of the Persian nation and its tumultuous history. It contains magical birds and superhuman heroes and centuries-long battles. Written over 1 000 years ago it was meant to protect Persian collective memory amdist a turbulent sea cultural storms. Originally written in couplets the new translation and adaptation by Ahmad Sadri retells the mythological tales in prose format. The spectacular illustrations in this edition were created from elements culled from thousands of illuminated manuscripts lithographs and miniatures dating from the thirteenth through nineteenth centuries each panel becomes a new work of art an exquisite collage of traditional forms. 500 full-color illustrations