About the Book
* PIERCING PEARLS * The Complete Anthology of Persian PoetryCourt, Sufi, Dervish, Satirical, Ribald, Prison & Social Poetry from the 9th to the 13th century. Volume OneTranslations, Introduction and Notes by Paul SmithThis 2 volume anthology is the largest anthology of Persian Poetry ever published. The introduction contains a history and explanation of all the forms used by the poets, a short history of the Persian language, Sufism in Persian Poetry & a Glossary of Sufi & Dervish Symbols plus a Selected Bibliography. With each selection of a particular poet is a brief biography plus a list of further reading. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these beautiful, often mystical poems. THE POETS: Abbas of Merv page 29, Hanzalah 30, Firuz 31, Abu Salik 32, Abu Shakur 33, Junaidi, 35, Shahid, 36, Rudaki 38, Agachi 50, Rabi'a Balkhi 51, Khusravani 59, Manjik 61, Daqiqi 62, Mantiki 70, Umarah 72, Kisa'i 73, Firdausi 78, Baba Tahir 87, Farrukhi 92, Asjadi 105, Minuchihri 107, Gurgani 116, Unsuri 120, Abu Said 127, Ibn Sina 133, Baba Kuhi 136, Nasir-i-Khusraw 137, Asadi 142, Azraqi 148, Qatran 150, Ansari 156, Al-Ghazali 164, Mas'ud Sad 1164, Mu'izzi 175, Hamadani 187, Omar Khayyam 190, Sana'i 193, Sabir 207, Mahsati 212, Jabali 223, Vatvat 228, Anvari 232, Falaki 263, Hasan Ghaznavi, 271, Suzani 276, Athir 280, Jamal al-din 284, Mujir 290, Khaqani 296, Mu'in 326, Zahir 341, Nizami 352, Ruzbihan 385, Baghdadi 387, 'Attar 389, Auhad ud-din Kermani 414, Kamal ad-din 420, Hamavi 424, Baba Afzal 427, Rumi 430, Imami 489, Hamgar 490, Sadi 495, Iraqi 539. Pages 552.COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart."Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author of poems inspired by Hafiz). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and screenplays.
