Persia

Through Writers' Eyes

by David Blow (Editor)

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

Genres: Iran, Travel, Nonfiction, Middle East

403 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ashley Dartnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Blow has compiled a beautiful and accurate mosaic portrait of Iran by piecing together writings through the ages (from 1000 bc to the present day). What struck me is how many people have travelled to and through Iran over the centuries and how consistently some Iranian characteristics reappear--the genuine hospitality, the openess and curiosity about different people, the flowery and flattering words. and of course, i learned so much I didnt know. So many absorbing pieces of writing selected and arranged chronologically to present a completely absorbing picture.

[Jamie]

A phenomenal read. Structured chronologically and intermingled with David Blow's own writings, it progresses from ancient Greek accounts of the Persian army to a BBC journalist's account of the Islamic Revolution.

I had almost no understanding of Iran before reading this, and although I've only scratched the surface, this was a brilliantly diverse introduction.