In this, the first of a three-volume biography on the Greatest Life of our times, Dr David Ruhe focuses on the early years of Bahá'u'lláh's life. This chronicle of Bahá'u'lláh's 36 Persian years, prior to His Revelation of Mission in the Síyáh-Chál and His exile, seeks to be as autobiographical as available materials in English now permit.

The story of the emergence of a Manifestation of God, a Supreme Prophet, is unfolded largely in His own Words, expressed as His Perceptions guide Him. Extremely revealing as are His Words, they are augmented by many photographs, by extensive explanatory notes, and by a fresh Glossary of Persian names and terms.