Part I: Epic & Mythological Traditions

Introduction by Francis Ford Coppola

Put on your headphones, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for an unforgettable journey into the ancient soundscape of Persian heroes, lovers, and legends. Step into Shahnameh (Chapters 1-15 in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) — the millennium-old epic of the Iranian plateau.

This masterful translation brings legendary heroes, tragic destinies, sweeping romances, colossal monsters, and fearless warriors vividly to life, unfolding a mythic saga that spans thousands of years. Originally composed as an 11th-century epic poem, Shahnameh endures as one of the world’s greatest masterpieces of mythology and storytelling. Performed by award-winning voice actor Marc Thompson and enriched with evocative sound design by Hamid Rahmanian, creator of the Shahnameh Project, this theatrical audiobook is truly cinema for the ear. It features four grand tragedies and four unforgettable love stories, immersing listeners in a world of fate, valor, and passion.

Listen to Part II: Historical Traditions (Chapters 16-27) in Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings) on Audible. About: Abu al-Qasem Ferdowsi (940–1020 CE), composed the ancient legends of Shahnameh in verse. It is the longest poem written by a single poet. A combination of myth and history told over 50,000 couplets, Ferdowsi dedicated 33 years of his life to writing the Shahnameh and intended it to protect Persian collective memory and its language amid a turbulent sea of cultural storms. This celebrated work traces the storied history of the Iranian people, beginning with the origin myths of civilization and ending with the Arab Conquest of Iran in the seventh century.

Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings. Translation and adaptation by Ahmad Sadri. Published by Liveright, Distributed by W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN: 978-1-63149-446-8