The author was the widow of the late Guardian and World Head of the Baha' i Faith who for thirty six years shaped its affairs and guided its destiny.

The book, although biographical in treatment, is what the author preferred to call an appraisal of the life and work of this distinguished, unique and far-visioned man, believing that we stand too near to such a towering figure to assemble, at so early a date, a more detailed record of his achievements. Born Mary Sutherland Maxwell, the author grew up in Montreal. Following the passing of her illustrious husband in 1957, she travelled in 185 countries lecturing and giving particular attention to villagers and tribal peoples. She died in January 2000.

Other books by the same author:- Prescription for Living, The Desire of the World, A Manual for Pioneers, and Poems of the Passing.

Documentaries:- The Green Light Expedition (2 hr Film) and The Pilgrimage.

In mid-July 1920 a young Persian man arrived in England from the Holy Land to fulfil a lifelong dream: to perfect his command of the English language that he might be of better service to his beloved grandfather, the head of the Bahá'í Faith, 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Shoghi Effendi was admitted to Balliol College at Oxford University, one of the greatest centres of learning in the world. His studies at the University prepared him for his life's work, bestowed upon him on the passing of his grandfather in November 1921, when the student Shoghi Effendi became the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.

Riaz Khadem, himself once a student at Balliol College, traces Shoghi Effendi's educational career from his early youth through his time at Oxford. Drawing on the letters of Shoghi Effendi and Bahá'ís of the time and on the memoirs of Shoghi Effendi's fellow students at Balliol, the author provides a fascinating glimpse into this little known aspect of the life of Shoghi Effendi.

The author of these recollections has written, not a biography, but his personal experiences of Shoghi Effendi (1896-1957), who, on the death of his Grandfather, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, found himself Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith.

For thirty-six years, Shoghi Effendi bore the daunting responsibilties of his office, guiding and encouraging the Bahá’ís. During the last nine years of his life he developed in Haifa and ‘Akká, the spiritual and administrative institutions of the Bahá’í Faith.

Dr Giachery visited Haifa on several occasions during these years and spent a number of months there. The account he gives us of Shoghi Effendi is at first hand. It is a perceptive, affectionate and intimate portrayal of the gallant and self-sacrificing Guardian. And because those who served him so closely were few these recollections are so precious.

Over 90 youth from 25 countries in Europe attended the second of the three World Order courses given at Acuto during the month February 2005. This course dealt with the subject of Shoghi Effendi's Teaching Plans.

In six sessions the chronology of events were discussed, and more particularly the manner in which Shoghi Effendi educated the of the faith to formulate and prosecute teaching plans, in preparation for the launching of his historice and unique Ten Year Crusade.

Ali Nakhjavani

Some 90 youth from 25 countries, maily European, participated in the last of the three World Order courses given at Acuto during the month February 2006.

The purpose of this course was to consider the wide range of the works of Shoghi Effendi, both in English and in Persian/Arabic, and cast a panaromic and cursory glance over the contents of each of his major writings.