The year 2002 sees the 150th anniversary of the death of Tahirih, who would have been a remarkable woman in any time but was exceptional in her native Persia.

A poet of note she was also a strong advocate of social and religious change and a believer in the need for female emancipation as an essential part of progress. She became a disciple of the religious reformer known as the Bab ("Gate" - i.e. to the knowledge of God) who teachings first laid the basis for the present-day and world wide Baha'i religion and was put to death by the authorities in 1852 as part of a great pogrom of the Bab's followers. Her last word's are said to have been "You can kill me if you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women".

This book is interesting and readable but the story of Tahirih needs to be brought up to date to include the results of more recent and extensive historical research as well as the translation of her poetry into English - poetry which itself gives further insight into her beliefs.