Mary Boyce Knihy

This book traces the continuous history of the faith from the time it was preached by Zoroaster down to the present day - a span of about 3,500 years. First taught among nomads on the Asian steppes, Zoroastrianism became the state religion of the three great Iranian empires and had a remarkable influence on other world faiths: to the east on northern Buddhism, to the west on Judaism, Christianity and Islam. With the conquest of Iran by the Muslim Arabs, Zoroastrianism lost its secular power, but continued to survive as a minority faith. Despite its antiquity, it remains a living religion.

Jack and Annie share information about China, the Great Wall, Chinese New Year, and other Chinese traditions. The coauthor is Natalie Pope Boyce.

This book seeks to establish that Zoroaster, the great Iranian prophet, founded his religion about 1200 B.C. It flourished thereafter as the faith of empires, and sank to that of a bitterly persecuted minority. But through all changes of fortunes, it is argued here, his followers remained faithful to their ancient faith to be still living in the twentieth century. --- from book's back cover