Preface to 1950 Edition
With this edition the American Baha'i Publishing Committee takes over copyright and other interests in "Baha'u'llah and the New Era" from Messrs. George Allen & Unwin Ltd., of London, England, through whom the late Dr. J. E. Esslemont published his famous book more than twenty years ago. Under arrangement with the British publishers, the Committee has since 1928 brought out eleven printings, in addition to the first American edition imported by Brentano's of New York (3:1)

This edition does not displace the text as it has appeared since major revision was made in the book under the direction of the Guardian of the Faith in 1937, as the time has not come for anything like a thorough recasting of the book to make its references to world conditions completely contemporaneous. Dr. Esslemont's work endures as a trustworthy introduction to the history and teachings of the Baha'i Faith. Its translation into some thirty different languages attests its appeal to students in the East as well as the West (3:2)

It should be added that any further revision of the text in the future is subject to approval by Shoghi Effendi. The Committee has no authority to pass upon revisions which may be desired by Baha'is of other countries for their particular need. - Baha'i Publishing Committee - December 1950 (3:3)

Get Next Page