Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings (Penguin Classics)

The definitive translation by Dick Davis of the great national epic of Iran—now newly revised and expanded to be the most complete English-language edition, has been released as a Penguin Classic.

Dick Davis—"our pre-eminent translator from the Persian" (The Washington Post)—has revised and expanded his acclaimed translation of Ferdowsi's masterpiece, adding more than 100 pages of newly translated text. Davis's elegant combination of prose and verse allows the poetry of the Shahnameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly marked explanations to ease along modern readers.

Originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan in the tenth century, the Shahnameh is among the greatest works of world literature. This prodigious narrative tells the story of pre-Islamic Persia, from the mythical creation of the world and the dawn of Persian civilization through the seventh-century Arab conquest. The stories of the Shahnameh are deeply embedded in Persian culture and beyond, as attested by their appearance in such works as The Kite Runner and the love poems of Rumi and Hafez.

For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

The Shahnameh, or "Book of Kings," is a true masterpiece of Persian literature, and this newly revised and expanded edition by Dick Davis promises to be the most comprehensive and captivating English-language version yet. As one of the world's leading translators from the Persian, Davis has brought his considerable skill and expertise to bear on this iconic work, ensuring that its timeless tales and poetic beauty are faithfully rendered for a modern audience.

Ferdowsi's epic poem, composed over a thousand years ago, has endured as a touchstone of Iranian identity and a treasured part of the country's cultural heritage. The Shahnameh's sweeping narrative arc, spanning from the creation of the world to the Arab conquest of Persia, has captivated readers for generations, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and music.

Penguin's decision to publish this new edition of the Shahnameh underscores the continued relevance and importance of this literary masterpiece. By entrusting the translation to a scholar of Davis's caliber, the publisher has ensured that the work's richness and complexity are fully realized in English, allowing a wider audience to discover the power and beauty of Ferdowsi's verse.

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