The story of Bahá’u’lláh's followers in Iran.

The final work of the distinguished historian and Hand of the Cause Hasan Balyuzi.

At the time of his death in 1980, Hasan Balyuzi was midway through his intended four-volume study of the life and times of Bahá’u’lláh. He had already completed the first volume, his unequalled biography, Bahá’u’lláh: King of Glory.

This second volume, and his last major work, describing the effect of the new Revelation upon eighteen of the most important disciples of Bahá’u’lláh in Iran. They arose from the most varied backgrounds to reach heights of distinction and self-sacrifice. 'Nothing daunted them,' the author writes, 'no blow ever swerved them from their straight path . . . Serving the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was the only goal they knew.'

Here are the stories of apostles, martyrs, poets, noblemen. Among their number are Samandar, both successful merchant and dedicated disciple; Na'im, a poet of the first rank; the grandson of a Shah of Iran; 'the gourmet who was a saint'; the renowned Mírzá Haydar-'Alí; and the extraordinary story of the secret allegiance to Bahá’u’lláh of the leading Shí'í clergyman of his day.

Of particular interest and value are the hundred photographs, many never before published in the West, the majority of eminent Bahá’ís and leading Iranian figures of the time.

The book concludes with several chapters about the homeland of Bahá’u’lláh, His ancestors, and certain remarkable prophecies His coming.

Mr Balyuzi had intended to add further chapters to this volume, but he did not live to complete them. The unfinished sections have been filled out by Dr Moojan Momen, his trusted research assistant.

The cover illustration is a painting of the prison city of 'Akká made in 1875. It shows the city of as many of the Bahá’ís mentioned in this book would have seen it when making their pilgrimage to Bahá’u’lláh, then confined within its walls.