FOR many years I had cherished a desire to write a history of the intellectual and literary achievements of the ancient Persians, somewhat on the lines of that most admirable work, Green's Short History of the English People, a work which any writer may be proud to adopt as a model, but which few can hope to rival and none to surpass. Considering the immense number
of books which have been written about eu4 Persia, it is strange that so few attempts should hitherto have been made to set forth in a comprehensive yet comparatively concise and summary form the history of that ancient and most interesting kingdom.

The classic work on the subject, A LITERARY HISTORY OF PERSIA is still the standard work in the English language on Persia and her literature. It spans four volumes (2,256 pages) and took about twenty-five years to write. Although it concentrates on Persian literature, it also surveys all aspects of Persian culture from Iranian pre-history to the twentieth century.

The remarkable freshness and liveliness of Browne's prose will astonish readers. In addition to being a work of reference it is book which may be read strictly for pleasure. J.T.P. De Bruijn's new introduction surveys the history, significance and continued value of the work.