Iranian History: A Captivating Guide to the Persian Empire and History of Iran, Starting from the Achaemenid Empire, Through the Parthian, Sasanian and Safavid Empire to the Afsharid and Qajar Dynasty

This is much better than any history channel movie because it allows you to read details of the history of this fascinating country which is still impacting world events. Great presentation of their history, culture, and events rolled into one set of books.

Always was interested in ancient Persian history. These books are concise but accurate.

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The book appears to be OK, but the used copy Amazon sent me had loose pages that had fallen out and then stuffed back in. Will never buy another used book from Amazon. The book series --Captivating History" is written by a group of college kids, each assigned a single chapter to write and then the whole thing is stitched together. They don't know the history and cannot explain it cogently. Worst book out of the last thousand I have bought and read.

Achaemenid Empire The first book has a tendency to address the reader with casual, personal comments, saying what will be addressed later and often summarising thoughts - which tends to throw -me anyway- slightly off track. There is a tendency to repeat the same facts in several chapters. There's a rather protracted indulgence by the author toward the end, comparing this ancient civilisation with today's cultures and how the inhabitants of today's world (particularly in the USA) could learn from them for a better life! Parthian Empire This section seemed to be lacking more careful proof-reading as there are a bunch of grammatical mistakes, incorrectly used words and odd punctuation. There is an endless array of inter-family assassinations to take key and ruling roles; and that becomes rather repetitious. There seems to be rather a lot of (necessary) conjecture and assumption due to a stated lack of written records. However, there is some interesting information about the styles of warfare and a little about the 'common man'. Sasanian Empire A few more grammatical glitches. Lots of royalty, inter-family relationships - solved by murder. An interesting segment on the applicable religions. Odd how each era tends to rely on some form of religion, and the similarity to Christianity. Safavid Empire This one has a bit more 'talking' to the reader, which SOME may find a bit 'different'? Lots more mayhem, maiming and murder (including of family) by royalty to cement their role in place - lax though they seem to be in actually governing the country. Afsharid and Qajar Dynasty A little more 'talking' to the reader! Yet more lax leadership and hierarchy solved by maiming or murder. It sure was a complex component of the fickle world, with fluctuating fortunes. All in all - an interesting and informative wander through a fascinating country

An informative read that deals with all aspects of Iran. There is a lot of information in these reads.

An excellent bundle of books by Captivating History. Good information and very timely in light of current events in the world.

So much fascinating information about this particular culture. It helps to better understand them as a culture and a nation.