Hour of the Dawn

Here is a clear, straightforward and easily readable account of the life of the Báb. A companion to Day of Glory, about the life of Bahá'u'lláh, and Servant of the Glory, about the life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. It begins with the story of the Báb's childhood in Shíráz, His youth and marriage, and His Declaration on that fateful night to Mullá Husayn, the first to believe in Him. 'This night,' said the Báb, 'this very hour will, in the days to come, be celebrated as one of the greatest and most significant of all festivals.'

Once the Báb's disciples set out to spread the news, many people in high places in Persia, and particularly the mullás, arose in opposition to Him. The Báb was banished from Shíráz. The Grand Vizier, jealous of the Báb's spiritual powers, imprisoned Him in a castle to the far north. But he was unable to stop the people flocking to Him.

Here are the stories of the Letters of the Living; the Conference of Badasht; the siege of Shaykh Tabarsí, Nayríz and Zanján; the trial of the Báb; and finally that day in Tabríz when the sun was blotted out by the dust as 750 rifles fired their volleys.

This book is an excellent preparation for reading the Báb's own Writings, The Dawn-Breakers and the works of Shoghi Effendi on the subject. It also describes the geographical and historical setting of the 'Episode of the Báb'.