The two volumes of Shoghi Effendi Through the Pilgrim’s Eye tell the story of the worldwide spread of the Bahá’í Faith from 1922 to 1963. They draw on the diary entries and letters (many now published for the first time) of the many pilgrims and visitors to the Bahá’í Holy Places in Haifa and Akka, as well as the accounts of those who worked to assist the Guardian in his many extraordinary achievements.

As in all such cases, these recollections must be taken in the spirit of pilgrim notes – interesting and thought-provoking highlights and observations, but not any part of the Bahá’í Sacred Text. They do, however, provide unique insights and inspiration.

While volume I (1922−1952) covered the years when Shoghi Effendi was laying the foundations of the Bahá’í Administrative Order destined to culminate in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the present volume begins with the opening of the dramatic decade 1953−1963 with the launching of the ten-year worldwide spiritual plan to carry the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to every place on the planet. That first global teaching plan involved every National Assembly and every Bahá’í in a ‘fate-laden, soul-stirring, decade-long, world-embracing Spiritual Crusade’. It was a monumentally incomprehensible leap for the world Bahá’í Community. When Shoghi Effendi announced the plan, there were just twelve National Spiritual Assemblies in the world, formed over a period of 30 years. The Plan ended with 56. In 1952 the Bahá’í Faith had members in 129 countries and dependencies; Shoghi Effendi wanted to open an additional 131 – all in just ten years.