Persianists believe that Sa'di is a great poet, but experience shows that merely translating his poetry is not sufficient to convince non-Persianists of this. This book is an excellent beginning in this direction, and one hopes that similar efforts will be made to bring Ferdowsi, Hafez, and others to the attention of literate, non-specialist readers. Iranian Studies ...clear and accessible... Middle East Journal Emerson would have been happy to see the publication of this sober yet inspired study of Sa'di about whom the average Western reader knows little more than the name. Scholarly and erudite, but not mechanistic or pedantic; richly detailed and comprehensive, yet concise and, mirabile dictu, readable. -- Massud Farzan, Boston University Middle East Journal Yohannan's interpretations of the poetry are always sensible, and he tries to keep the larger context of world literature as well as Persian literature before us. The point of Sa'di's humanism is well made, and even though the book does not reflect recent scholarship in Persian, it can be recommended to those interested in Persian literature in translation, and in world literature in general. Iranian Studies Yohannan's interpretations of the poetry are always sensible, and he tries to keep the larger context of world literature as well as Persian literature before us. The point of Sa'di's humanism is well made, and even though the book does not reflect recent scholarship in Persian, it can be recommended to those interested in Persian literature in translation, and in world literature in general. Iranian Studies Persianists believe that Sa'di is a great poet, but experience shows that merely translating his poetry is not sufficient to convince non-Persianists of this. This book is an excellent beginning in this direction, and one hopes that similar efforts will be made to bring Ferdowsi, Hafez, and others to the attention of literate, non-specialist readers. Iranian Studies ...clear and accessible... Middle East Journal Emerson would have been happy to see the publication of this sober yet inspired study of Sa'di about whom the average Western reader knows little more than the name. Scholarly and erudite, but not mechanistic or pedantic; richly detailed and comprehensive, yet concise and, mirabile dictu, readable. -- Massud Farzan, Boston University Middle East Journal
