At the time of his death in 1980, Hasan Balyuzi was midway through his intended four-volume study of the life and times of Bahá'u'lláh. He had already completed the first volume, his unequalled biography, 'Bahá'u'lláh, the King of Glory'.

This second volume, and his last major work, describing the effect of the new Revelation upon eighteen of the most important disciples of Bahá'u'lláh in Iran. They arose from the most varied backgrounds to reach heights of distinction and self-sacrifice. 'Nothing daunted them,' the author writes, 'no blow ever swerved them from their straight path . . . Serving the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh was the only goal they knew.'