Monuments and Historical Places in the Persian Gulf

When it comes to research, two authors have impressed me the most: one is Iraj Afshar; the other is Ahmad Eqtedari.

A native of Lar, Eqtedari was a professor at Tehran University. He was commissioned by the Shah of Iran to open schools throughout South Persia, and extended his travels across the islands to the other side of the Gulf towards the Sea of Oman. He had unique first-hand access to the people and cultures of the region. This book is an in-depth work of research which would be ideal for historians, anthropologists or journalists. This kind of writing is of a type that will not be seen nowadays, since it is truly from the heart -- a journalistic record of Eqtedari's findings, rather than a 'formula' type of research that follows a pattern but often lacks actual discovery. With increasing modernization and technology encroaching on old traditions, Eqtedari's painstaking research covers cultures and settings that will soon be lost to history -- if they are not already gone. An overview of the contents of Volumes 1 and 2 is provided below (click here for Volumes 3 and 4; click here for sample pages and photos):

Volume 1: Asar-e Shahrha-ye Astani Savahel va Jazayer-e Khalij-e Fars va Darya-ye Oman, which roughly translates into Monuments and Historical Places in the Persian Gulf, Including the Islands and Sea of Oman. Includes an index and extensive bibliography, which alone makes this set a valuable reference. Text entirely in Persian with some bibliographical entries in English.

Dimensions: 9.5" L x 7" W x 2.75" thick (24.5 x 18 x 7 cm).

This volume consists of 1136 pages. Originally published in 1348 Persian Year (1969 CE) by Selseleh Anjoman-e Ansar-e Melli.

Volume 2: Diyar-e Shahre Yaran, or (roughly) Historical Buildings and Monuments of Khuzestan. Includes an index and extensive bibliography. Text entirely in Persian.

Dimensions: 9.5" L x 7" W x 2" thick (24.5 x 18 x 5 cm).

This volume consists of 1594 pages. Originally published in 1354 Persian Year (1975 CE) by Selseleh Anjoman-e Ansar-e Melli.