In his recent book, Stanford historian Zephyr Frank explores how 19th century literature tells the social history of Rio de Janeiro, revealing the foundations of today’s Olympic city.

In a study of Persian literature, Stanford religious studies scholar Ahoo Najafian describes the role of poetry in the context of modernity in Iran. Ironically, those by the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini spoke out against established, strict religion.

Through interviews coupled with archival research, Stanford’s Jindong Cai researched the history of Beethoven’s popularity in China in hopes of creating cultural connections between China and the West.