The Art of Peace

In 1967, Sir David Khalili finished his military service in Iran and traveled to study in the United States with $750, his remaining royalties from a book he wrote when he was just 14. Over the course of the next five decades, he single-handedly, piece by piece, assembled eight of the finest art collections in their field, ultimately becoming one of the world's greatest collectors. Queen Elizabeth II once remarked, "It is scary how much this gentleman knows about art." For the first time, Sir David shares his extraordinary journey, which has taken him through the souks of North Africa, the auction houses of Europe and the United States, the bazaars of South Asia, and far beyond. Through a riveting collection of real-life adventures, he reveals his collecting strategy, business ethics, and what motivates him to continuously collect, conserve, research, publish, and exhibit the treasures in his collections. Through his story, Sir David asks how the undeniable power of art can be harnessed to foster greater peace and unity worldwide. No one is better placed to enlighten us.