An amazing book.

A fascinating read as the story-line winds its way through the notes written by A. Iyas to Russian Foreign Ministry & other high ranking Russian officials. To know that Iran was the playground for the regional/super powers (Ottomans, England & Russia) during the last several decades of the Qajar Dynasty is one thing, to see it being micromanaged through the meticulous notes of a mid/high level civil servant, stationed in a particularly volatile region is quite another.

Then there are the images that breath life into the text and transport the reader to a time and place long gone. For example, there are some amazing photographs of Kurdish leaders, surrounded by their tribal warriors, that are so vivid as to make the reader feel the tension of the events leading to the taking of these pictures. The paper quality is near photographic paper quality; a true luxury that enhances the image quality several fold.

Meanwhile, the author does a wonderful job of filling in any blanks and giving background when it is absolutely needed to place people and events in context.
One may or may not agree with the innocence and purity of mind and intention attributed to the central figure (A. Iyas) but regardless of whether or not we buy that argument, all should agree that this book sheds lots of light on many hitherto unknown (or little known) actors who helped shape regional events in the years immediately preceding the Big War (WWI).

A must for any serious historian or lover of exquisite turn of the century photography.

Loved the book, and bought several more for friends & family to read.