Any preferred english translation for shahnameh? Would love to gain some exposure to foundational Persian literature.

Most current-day readers might prefer Davis, but the best in my eyes is that by the two brothers Warner: "Between 1905 and 1925, the brothers Arthur and Edmond Warner published a translation of the complete work in nine volumes, now out of print." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shahnameh I read classical Persian, I've read most of the Shahnameh in Persian and taught parts of it to English-speakers, and have been amazed by the art of the Warner's work and the depth of their understanding.

I should have mentioned that the Warner's translations are available on-line. Here's V 1: https://archive.org/details/shahnama01firduoft/page/n6

Dick Davis’ translation is currently the standard.

if you are into audio books, this will be nice. it is narrated by Francis Ford Coppola! https://www.amazon.com/Shahnameh-Epic-Persian-Kings/dp/B078J...

It looks like Coppola narrated only the introduction. One Marc Thompson is the narrator.