'In the breath that I die, for you I'll be longing/ Wishing to turn into the dust of your belonging' - Sa'di, Expressions of Love. With poetry which speaks across the ages, Sa'di (1210-1281) is a vital classical poet and a towering figure of the medieval Persian canon. Comparable in skill and stature to other Persian poets such as Ferdowsi, Hafez, Rumi and Omar Khayyam, Sa'di's verses--best known through his 'Bustan' and 'Golestan' address universal themes of passion, love and the human condition in works which are both psychologically perceptive and beautifully crafted. His mystical writings, contemporaneous with Rumi, reveal a degree of depth, wisdom and insight which have placed Sa'di in the pantheon of world literature. In this essential new translation of Sa'di's work, leading expert on Iranian studies Homa Katouzian seeks to bring the poet's lyrics to a new readership. The book provides the Persian text and Katouzian's English translation side-by-side, creating an indispensible tool for students and enthusiasts of Iranian history, literature and culture.
Homa Katouzian Book order
Homa Katouzian is a distinguished Persian social historian and literary critic whose work centers on modern Iran. His expertise lies in analyzing Iranian society, culture, and politics, offering readers profound insights into the nation's intricate history. Through his extensive research and thoughtful prose, Katouzian provides a compelling perspective on the forces that have shaped contemporary Iran. His contributions are essential for understanding the Iranian national character and its trajectory on the global stage.





- 2023
- 2021
Sadeq Hedayat
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
Sadeq Hedayat is the most famous and the most enigmatic Iranian writer of the 20th century. This book is the first comprehensive study of Hedayat's life and works set against the background of literary and political developments in a rapidly changing Iran over the first half of the 20th century. Katouzian discusses Hedayat's life and times and the literary and political circles with which he was associated. But he also emphasises the uniqueness and universality of his ideas that have both influenced and set Hedayat apart from other Iranian writers of the period and that have given him a mystique that has been instrumental in his posthumous success with acclaimed works such as The Blind Owl. This second edition is fully revised and updated to reflect on recent debates and scholarship on Sadeq Hadeyat.
- 2013
Iran
- 248 pages
- 9 hours of reading
World-renowned Iranian expert presents the first comprehensive introduction to one of the world's most controversial and misunderstood countries číst celé
- 2010
The Persians
- 448 pages
- 16 hours of reading
Iran has gained attention mostly for negative reasons but there is much more to the story of this ancient land than can be gleaned from the news. This comprehensive history of Iran covers the history of the area from the foundation of the ancient Persian empire to Iranian state. číst celé
- 2008
Iran in the 21st century : politics, economics and conflict
- 300 pages
- 11 hours of reading
This book examines Iran and its position in the contemporary world. It contains chapters on social developments in the country including gender relations, contemporary politics, international relations, relations with the US and Israel, nuclear weapons and energy programmes, oil and the development of the economy.