Memoirs of Iranian war veterans have rubbed out all comers in the 24th edition of Tehran International Book Fair, according to a report by the book fair's press office.

 

The memoirs recount the moments of bravery and sacrifice of the Iranian forces during the eight-year robust defense they put up against the western backed invading forces of the executed, former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein in the 80s (1980-88).

 

Several titles embodying such memoirs have racked in record sales with a bestseller titled "Da" atop the shortlist.

 

A 138th edition of Da was recently published by Sura Mehr publisher to keep record of sales in the genre of Sacred Defense memoirs. Da has been authored by A'zam Husseini and recounts the memoirs of a war veteran of the defense era.

 

The unchallenged Da is now going to be trailed by a new memoirs book titled "Ahmad-e Ahmad Memoirs" which has caused a sensation in the national publishing circles and prompted an application for an adaptation of the title for cinema. It is ironical however that "Ahmad-e Ahmad" hit the stands before Da.

 

Mohsen Kazemi, author of "Ahmad-e Ahmad Memoirs" describes the publication as a trailblazer which caused an otherwise apathetic audience to reconcile with the genre of war memoirs.

 

A strong welcome to a first edition of the book prompted the prominent, mass circulating daily of Kayhan to have it published again six month after the first edition, the author said, adding that the welcome was accorded even though there were no publicity works for the title in the national airwaves (IRIB) or journals.

 

The memoirs have now come to spotlight again with a cinema director deciding to adapt the content in a movie. Kazemi greets the idea and maintains that cinema has the potentials to help people enjoy a more sincere contact with the content albeit there are lines of content within the Sacred Defense memoirs which celluloid could not afford to encapsulate or manifest.

 

The author nevertheless insists that he must be consulted for any script writing process so as to avoid any risk of distortion or confusion.

 

"Ahmad-e Ahmad Memoirs" offer a recount of over 70 hours of interviews with Iranian war veterans. A first edition of the memoirs was published in 2000 by Sura Mehr publisher.

 

A 16th edition of the book is available in the 24th Tehran International Book Fair and a cinematic adaptation of the book is in the making at present. Islamic Propagation Office sponsors the prospective movie.