{"product_id":"shahnameh-persian-book-of-kings-firdawsi","title":"Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings | Firdawsī","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings by Firdawsī\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImmerse yourself in one of the most towering achievements of world literature with \u003cem\u003eShahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings\u003c\/em\u003e by Firdawsī (Ferdowsi). Presented in a masterfully revised and expanded Penguin Classics edition by Dick Davis—widely acclaimed as our preeminent translator from the Persian language—this volume stands as the most complete and authoritative English-language edition available today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePlot Summary \u0026amp; Key Themes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally composed in the tenth century for the Samanid princes of Khorasan, the \u003cem\u003eShahnameh\u003c\/em\u003e is the glorious national epic of Iran. This prodigious narrative captures the sprawling, multi-generational history of pre-Islamic Persia. The epic chronicles everything from the mythical creation of the world and the historical dawn of Persian civilization, through legendary battles and tragic romances, culminating in the monumental seventh-century Arab conquest.\u003c\/p\u003e \n\u003cp\u003eDick Davis's elegant translation seamlessly blends prose and verse, allowing the original poetic genius of Firdawsī to sing directly to modern audiences while utilizing sparse, clearly marked explanations to guide readers through the complex lore. These legendary stories remain deeply embedded in global culture, directly influencing classical masters like Rumi and Hafez, as well as modern literary works like \u003cem\u003eThe Kite Runner\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBook Details \u0026amp; Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Firdawsī (Ferdowsi)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTranslator:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dick Davis\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9780143108320\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback (Penguin Classics Revised \u0026amp; Expanded Edition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre:\u003c\/strong\u003e World Literature \/ Epic Poetry \/ Middle Eastern History \u0026amp; Mythology\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThemes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Empire and Sovereignty, Heroism, Mythology, Cultural Identity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Read This Book?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNewly Expanded Definitive Text:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features more than 100 pages of newly translated material added by Dick Davis to create the ultimate, comprehensive English edition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGold Standard Publishing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Backed by the trusted Penguin Classics series, ensuring authoritative text formatting, scholarly introductions, and helpful cultural annotations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Global Literary Masterpiece:\u003c\/strong\u003e An essential foundation for collectors and enthusiasts of epic mythology, world history, and classical literature seeking to understand Persian heritage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51512847008059,"sku":"0143108328","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780143108320.jpg?v=1785348714","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/shahnameh-persian-book-of-kings-firdawsi","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}