William Crooke

“ Up to the present time few collections have been made of Persian folk tales, and the subject is of special interest because Persia is the meeting-ground of the cultures of Arabia on the west and of India on the east, in addition to the local Eranian culture which possesses an important literature. This collection of tales made from original sources deserves hearty commendation, and the tales are admirably translated and illustrated. It is natural to enquire how far the folk tradition of Persia is indigenous, and how far it has been influenced by Arabia and India. ”

“ Those who wish for a collection of references on questions like Polyandry, Polygamy, Rain-making, Mother Right, Metals, Kava drinking, Human Sacrifice, and the like, must index these subjects for themselves. ”

“ The book in its new form is well adapted to the needs of the student of Ethnography, and it will long remain an indispensable manual. In less competent hands it might have become a mere cento of scraps and notes, but the fresh learning has been so skilfully worked into the original pages that the book is not only thoroughly scientific but readable. It is only natural that the revision should take special account of those areas in which the progress of research has been most notable, and thus Australia, Melanesia, Central Asia, Africa and the American Indians receive adequate attention. ”