Eland Publishing Ltd Persia

The land of the Iranians, known to European travelers for centuries as Persia, is a land riven by mountain-ranges, made inhospitable by deserts, yet rich in plains, forests, and jewel-like gardens. Home to the most sublime architecture in the world, and a breeding ground for poets, Empires, mystics and saints, it has an enduring and invincible fascination. David Blow enriches our understanding with his knowledgeable selection of the best of three thousand years of descriptive writing. "A history of Persia through the eyes of the outside world... An intriguing view of a culture that has lasted in one form or anther for almost three thousand years." Book News David Blow is a long-time student of Persia (modern Iran). He has lived in the country and speaks the language, Farsi. In an interesting departure from the usual history of a land through its rulers and internal changes, Blow has put together a history of Persia through the eyes of the outside world, from Herodotus, to Marco Polo, to Vita Sackville-West and observers of Iran today. Each section is prefaced by background information about the writer, the period and the circumstances of their connection to Persia. The result is an intriguing view of a culture that has lasted in one form or another for almost three thousand years. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) The best of three thousand years of descriptive writing about Persia. The land of the Iranians, known to European travelers for centuries as Persia, is a land of mountains, deserts, plains, and forests. The author adds to our understanding with his selection of three thousand years of descriptive writing. He allows us to visit the courts of Cyrus and Xerxes, to ride out with the Parthians and Sassanians. Autorid: David Blow