The History of Beyhaqi: The History of Sultan Mas'ud of Ghazna, 1030-1041 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780674062368)

Abu'l-Fażl Beyhaqi, a secretary at the court of a number of Ghaznavid rulers in eastern Iran and Afghanistan in the early Middle Ages, is a most perceptive, as well as intriguing, commentator on the history of the Islamic Near East. The surviving volumes of his massive project, dealing in depth with the years 1030-1041, combine astute criticism and wry humor with an unobtrusive display of mastery of the learned literature of the time, both in Arabic and Persian. Through a skillful manipulation of different styles, and timely introduction of the authorial voice as a framing device to bring a sense of heightened drama, the historian comments on mankind's individual frailties and the many lost opportunities that hasten a mighty dynasty's decline. Although there are already a number of articles and monographs in English and other Western languages on aspects of his style and historical approach, this is the first complete translation of the extant volumes with a detailed commentary.

Author: Beyhaqi
ISBN-10: 0674062361
ISBN-13: 9780674062368
Publisher: Ilex Foundation
Language: English
Published: 10/10/2011
Pages: 406
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.10w x 1.00d