New book: Arms and Armor from Iran

Andrew · 19th September 2006, 03:56 AM

I'm really very excited about this book! From the reviews I've read, it promises to be a definitive work.

I'll be placing my order this week.

wolviex · 19th September 2006, 07:37 AM

I'm still trying to gather money for this book

Hope to get it in next 6 months

Ariel: what do you mean about your warning

B.I · 19th September 2006, 08:28 AM

hi michal,
i have also heard that the book is way too heavy for the binding, hence the warning.
i dont have it yet, and have asked for opinions from people that have and no one is willing to commit themselves.
ariel - read faster!!
i have no doubt the historical side will be well written.
what about the catalogued descriptions?
we know that museums sometimes use a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to dating. does the author lift the descriptions, or use his own opinion?
the latter is what we are all after in any new publication, but the former is what we normally end up with.

Andreas Volk · 19th September 2006, 03:27 PM

Dear fellow Enthusiasts!
I also received the book and worked through parts of it - it's a huge ammount of info and I'm quite busy at the moment.

First in regards to the binding:
Mine is still intact, and I didn't read it on a table as I dragged it arround with
me during a few days of business travel;
So ariel: I'd suggest that you contact the publisher. A book coming apart
after 20 minutes is totally unacceptable and I'd ask them for a replacement.
that is the least thing they should do (including postage).
If it helps you can use my statement here as a refference in any negotiation
- as my binding is still solid.

On the subject that this book was called a "definitive work", or that it is
regarded "definitive" by some of the readers:
I would call such statements "over excitement" by some individuals and it
makes me raise at least one eye brow

Don't get me wrong - it truly is a book that I'm excited about - at least in
regards to chapter 7 and 10 that I've read so far (and with my
limited knowledge of persian history I'd have better started with chapter 1)
But calling something "definitive" is out of place. No academic book will
ever be definitive - labeling it as such denies the progress of mankind.

Religious and holy text are regarded as "definite" or "definitive" by their
believers, academic works can be "ground breaking", "revealing", etc. -
but never definitive.

Just my 2 euro cents.

So I'll get back to chapter 1 now
kind regards

Andreas Volk

Flavio · 19th September 2006, 05:10 PM

WOW

i see the price on amazon and for sure is very expensive !!!!

Rivkin · 19th September 2006, 05:22 PM

Gentlemen,

I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction:

a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples.
b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction.

So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

ariel · 19th September 2006, 06:40 PM

B.I. and Rivkin,

Let us reserve the judgements until we read it.
After all, as my wife said when she saw this huge volume " This guy must know a lot!"
Now, let's dig in and learn some new things, find novel insights, contradictions and just plain errors.
The rumors were floating for years, the promise to "explain it all" were made in advance and the only proper thing to do was to keep quiet and let the author do his job.
Now this book is out and in a public domain.
It is our responsibility to read it carefully before passing any judgement.
If it is good, let praise it.
If it is bad, let's critique it.
Enjoy the show!

tsubame1 · 19th September 2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on.

There is always a first time for everything and everybody.

Doug M · 20th September 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

Gentlemen,

I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction:

a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples.
b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction.

So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

Not to start an argument, but this "prediction" has nothing to do with Arms and Armor from Iran. Any "prediction" is a gross generalization and appears to make an attempt at, somehow, attacking the author. I truly wonder what is the point of claiming that "I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims."

It is best for readers to ignore the "predicted" association of "a persian book in all other aspects" and read the text. This is not a time to "enjoy the show"--whatever that means--but a time to review what has been written and comment on it in a respectful manner.

Sincerely,

Doug M

tsubame1 · 19th September 2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

WOW

i see the price on amazon and for sure is very expensive !!!!

Try asking directly Legat publisher. AFAIK is cheaper.

tsubame1 · 19th September 2006, 08:02 PM

@ Ariel. The copy I've handled for a while was rock solid binding.
You deserve a new copy from the publisher IMHO.
Don't let bad luck discourage you to appraise such a nice book.

@ Andreas : You're right about the word "definitive" but I think it has been used here with joyfully enphasis rather than to be taken literally.

Flavio · 20th September 2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsubame1

Try asking directly Legat publisher. AFAIK is cheaper.

Thank you Tsubame, yes the price is more reasonable

19th September 2006, 03:27 PM	#4
Andreas Volk Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South of Germany Posts: 8	Arms and Armor from Iran - a first impression Dear fellow Enthusiasts! I also received the book and worked through parts of it - it's a huge ammount of info and I'm quite busy at the moment. First in regards to the binding: Mine is still intact, and I didn't read it on a table as I dragged it arround with me during a few days of business travel; So ariel: I'd suggest that you contact the publisher. A book coming apart after 20 minutes is totally unacceptable and I'd ask them for a replacement. that is the least thing they should do (including postage). If it helps you can use my statement here as a refference in any negotiation - as my binding is still solid. On the subject that this book was called a "definitive work", or that it is regarded "definitive" by some of the readers: I would call such statements "over excitement" by some individuals and it makes me raise at least one eye brow Don't get me wrong - it truly is a book that I'm excited about - at least in regards to chapter 7 and 10 that I've read so far (and with my limited knowledge of persian history I'd have better started with chapter 1) But calling something "definitive" is out of place. No academic book will ever be definitive - labeling it as such denies the progress of mankind. Religious and holy text are regarded as "definite" or "definitive" by their believers, academic works can be "ground breaking", "revealing", etc. - but never definitive. Just my 2 euro cents. So I'll get back to chapter 1 now kind regards Andreas Volk

19th September 2006, 03:56 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I'm really very excited about this book! From the reviews I've read, it promises to be a definitive work. I'll be placing my order this week.

19th September 2006, 07:37 AM	#2
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	I'm still trying to gather money for this book Hope to get it in next 6 months Ariel: what do you mean about your warning

19th September 2006, 08:28 AM	#3
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	hi michal, i have also heard that the book is way too heavy for the binding, hence the warning. i dont have it yet, and have asked for opinions from people that have and no one is willing to commit themselves. ariel - read faster!! i have no doubt the historical side will be well written. what about the catalogued descriptions? we know that museums sometimes use a lot of wishful thinking when it comes to dating. does the author lift the descriptions, or use his own opinion? the latter is what we are all after in any new publication, but the former is what we normally end up with.

19th September 2006, 05:10 PM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	WOW i see the price on amazon and for sure is very expensive !!!!

19th September 2006, 05:22 PM	#6
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Gentlemen, I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction: a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples. b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction. So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

19th September 2006, 06:40 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	B.I. and Rivkin, Let us reserve the judgements until we read it. After all, as my wife said when she saw this huge volume " This guy must know a lot!" Now, let's dig in and learn some new things, find novel insights, contradictions and just plain errors. The rumors were floating for years, the promise to "explain it all" were made in advance and the only proper thing to do was to keep quiet and let the author do his job. Now this book is out and in a public domain. It is our responsibility to read it carefully before passing any judgement. If it is good, let praise it. If it is bad, let's critique it. Enjoy the show!

19th September 2006, 08:02 PM	#11
tsubame1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Magenta, Northern Italy Posts: 123	@ Ariel. The copy I've handled for a while was rock solid binding. You deserve a new copy from the publisher IMHO. Don't let bad luck discourage you to appraise such a nice book. @ Andreas : You're right about the word "definitive" but I think it has been used here with joyfully enphasis rather than to be taken literally.