Sword of Persia: Nader Shah, from Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant

"Sword of Persia" is not just a book for academics, but also for the ordinary person with an interest in history. Nader Shah was a fascinating character, sometimes likeable, sometimes monstrous who, considering his amazing achievements, deserves a much higher profile in the West than he currently has. I was surprised that I'd never heard of him before I read this very informative book, as he should be as well known as Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane whose careers he mirrored to a certain extent. Hopefully this book will remedy that.
The narrative scythes through his exploits at a cracking pace and believe me, you couldn't make up such a ruthless, sickeningly cruel and yet brilliant individual if you tried. This is definitely not a book for those with a weak stomach!
Reading "Sword of Persia" has given me a glimpse into the history of this often-troubled part of the world and, in some ways, I found myself drawing comparisons between then and now.
It was a brilliant read from beginning to end, but I warn you to clear your diary before opening the cover as you won't be able to put it down once you start.

What appeal to the Lay Reader? (5/6 people found this helpful)

Very plainly,this work by Mike Axworthy - a Cambridge scholar and and ex-Foreign Office expert - is academically excellent and covers new ground; but how palatable is it to the strictly amateur historian?

My first question when I looked at the manuscript - given the magnitude of Nader Shah's lifetime achievments, the sheer flamboyance of his character and his "rags to riches" biography; given the political focus today on the geographical region Nader Shah so dominated - was why don't I already know more about him?

If, as I suspect, this hiatus in general knowledge is widespread,
even among quite well educated readers in Western society, then Michael Axworthy has gone a long way towards filling in the gap.

My first comment was "more maps, please" and I am pleased to see this has been done. The style is lively, even pacy, and a good balance is maintained between the personal and the political. The military detail is impressive. The humour is appropriately dry. Whilst this is in essence a scholarly work, as one progresses the reader is impressed not only by the author's deep love of Persia but also by his sense of compassion.

The strangeness of the characters he introduces and the extravagance of the action as it unfolds could almost come from the pages of a Flashman novel - and there is the same sense of meticulous accuracy as to facts, if rather less licence in opinion.

If one accepts that the political events of the first five years of this century make a broader understanding of Iranian and Iraqi history increasingly important, it may be hoped that a book such as this may go some way toward making the remarkable history of Eighteenth century Persia as familiar to the educated public as, say, the events of the mutiny in India a century later.

Sword of Persia: Nader Shah, from Tribal Warrior to Conquering Tyrant

Michael Axworthy

Reader Reviews:

You don't have to be a history buff! (5/5 people found this helpful)

What appeal to the Lay Reader? (5/6 people found this helpful)

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