At the end of the nineteenth century, a new shah ascends the Persian throne. He succeeds his father, but he lacks the decisiveness and ambition to make his mark on governance. The king is more concerned with his harem, cherry garden, hunting and his riches than with the plight of the people and the country. He leaves the leadership in the economic power game in which Persia is embroiled with England, France and Russia to his adviser, the vizier.The skillful politician sees great opportunities in cooperation with the Western countries to implement reforms that will bring prosperity. But at what price?In a beautifully historical and at the same time topical story full of enchanting characters, Kader Abdolah interweaves the hard struggle for mineral wealth, land and power with the magical atmosphere of ancient Persia.
Paperback, 448 pages
At the end of the nineteenth century, a new shah ascends the Persian throne. He succeeds his father, but he lacks the decisiveness and ambition to make his mark on governance. The king is more concerned with his harem, cherry garden, hunting and his riches than with the plight of the people and the country. He leaves the leadership in the economic power game in which Persia is embroiled with England, France and Russia to his adviser, the vizier.The skillful politician sees great opportunities in cooperation with the Western countries to implement reforms that will bring prosperity. But at what price?In a beautifully historical and at the same time topical story full of enchanting characters, Kader Abdolah interweaves the hard struggle for mineral wealth, land and power with the magical atmosphere of ancient Persia.
Paperback, 448 pages