New Keris Book: THE KRIS, A PASSION FROM INDONESIA
 

Good day gentleman,

I would like to share that a new keris book has been published. I saw it being advertised here.

Thank you.

Great Tungullametung!!
Thanks a lot :)

My pleasure Marco... :)

To be reviewed [ here ]. :D
I waiting for the book to arrive... once read, I'll comment accordingly. :)

I received the book three days ago.
Well.. after 2007 with excellent "Kerisdisk", "Invincible kerises II", "Rahasia keris dan senjata warisan Melayu"....2008 starts OK!!: mr. Greffioz's work about keris is a very nice book!!

Shahrial and Marco, i am excited that the 2 of you have or are receiving this book shortly. I look forward to a more in depth review and discussion soon. :)

The Kris and The Kris
 

Different books, but with "almost similar" objects for cover-photo and even with the same title, "The Kris". The newer one, "The Kris", A Passion from Indonesia by Jean Greffios. The older one, "The Kris" An Earthly Approach to a Cosmic Symbol by David van Duuren (1998). You may see, here http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=27596

Ganjawulung

Yes, I've notice the similarities, with the Van Duuren's books, when I first saw it. However, as the saying goes... "Don't judge a book, by its cover"... ;)

Dear Alam Shah,

I don't have bought yet the newer book. But I've bought the Van Duuren book (easily to get it in Indonesia, just go to any Periplus book shop, then you may find it). Even for an Indonesian like me, I must say "two thumbs up" for all Van Duuren's books. The other valuable Van Duuren's book is "Krisses, A Critical Bibliography" (1998 and 2002), and "The Kris, An Earthly Approach to a Cosmic Symbol" (1998). A good book for them, who are interested in what some keris-people said as "krisology"...

Ganjawulung

And David van Duuren's translation into English of Groneman's "The Javanese Keris" (Der Kris der Javaner, 1910) is just around the corner, scheduled for release in the European spring.

Hi Pak Jimmy,
I do agree with you... I've got a copy of the books you've mentioned. :)

Hi Alan,
Good that van Duuren's 'translation' book is coming out soon... at least we don't need to translate... looking forward to it. :D

Kind Regards,
~ Shahrial ~

The Kris, a passion from Indonesia
 

I have received my copy of The Kris, a passion from Indonesia.
My copy is in English, the original book was written in French and you feel it in English.
Each copy is numbered, mine is N°47/100. This explains the cost of the book which is rather high. But all the books dealing with Kris are expensive due to the small number printed.
I have not yet read the entire book and I cannot give a judgment on its content in particular as the author, knows certainly much more than I do on Kris and other edge weapons.
To check all the information of the book against other publication is also not possible in such a short time.
I have a problem with the photos. I first though they were not sharp but my son told me it was my eyesight, I should utilize a magnifying glass ! The author cannot do anything about that ! Well, than it is the background which is very often red or reddish that disturbs me, there again, the author is not to be blamed as it is just a matter of taste. Finally I guess that it is the size of the photos that can explain why this book did not bring me the same intense pleasure that the Invincible Krises 2 or Keris Jawa Antara mystic dan Nalar did.
The text gives a lot of valuable information among which one concerning the Hulu Kocet-Kocetan that was discussed in an other thread.
All in all, buy it you may not be as nit picking as I am about illustration !
Michel

A Passion for Patience
 

I would also say: buy it !
There may be better books on certains keris types, :rolleyes: but this one gives a very nice view on almost all types of Indonesian keris.

Please bear in mind that the keris where collected quite recently.
Some of them have a modern dress or recent made silver work.

My girlfriend said that this would be a nice birthday present.
So after a short glimps on thebook it was re-wrapped for my birthday.
Which is due in MAY :eek:
So I will have to wait more than 2 months before i can thoroughly read the book :( :(

Ps. 47/100, looks like it may be sold out soon... (the english version)
Order now or start learning french :p

Can there be too many keris books?
 

I also appreciated reading this book - it's always nice to see the collections of other enthusiasts!

I didn't noticed any novel hypotheses or background info on the subject: the information has been compiled from the internationally well-known sources and for a diligent reader of this forum there won't be any notable surprises, I guess. I think this book offers a nice introduction/overview for any budding keris afficianado (especially when combined with Solyom & Solyom!). There are quite a lot of keris (and some other Indonesian daggers) shown which helps to appreciate the diversity rather than focusing on a few selected pieces.

Personally, the only gripe I have with this book is that it limits itself to Indonesia. IMHO it would have been worth to also include some Malay keris and Moro kris to offer a more complete picture of the whole keris world. Maybe these can be included with a future 2nd edition?

Regards,
Kai

opinion...
 

I've read the book. My opinion is similar to Kai's. The layout could be better. ;)

BTW, the English edition (120 copies) is now out of print.

A few distributors may have stock left...

Regards,
Kai