Are there any good English language books on Caucasian arms and armor?

[Sakalord364]

I’m new to this specific area of collecting, so I’m wondering if there are any good English language works or resources so I can learn more about Caucasian edged weapons

[werecow]

I would recommend Kirill Rivkin's Arms and Armor of Caucasus, although I cannot comment on the factual accuracy of the text as I have no expertise on that subject.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Sakalord364

I’m new to this specific area of collecting, so I’m wondering if there are any good English language works or resources so I can learn more about Caucasian edged weapons

My friend from Russia sent me book Chechen Arms. Author Isa Askhabov.
The book is in two languages: Russian and English.

Also a great book:
Yuri Miller, Caucasian Arms from the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Danish/English

[Jim McDougall]

All of these books recommended are excellent!
Kirill Rivkin's book is a MUST! and while I am certainly not any expert on this topic, I have collected and researched in degree, and others I know in this field who are, endorse it highly.

[TVV]

I also recommend Rivkin's book, as it encompasses the entire region and all the various weapons types.

[OsobistGB]

Unfortunately, the good books on the subject are in a language incomprehensible to English speakers . This is why they offer you Rivkin's book (not that there is another). Of course, it can serve as a general idea on the topic

[corrado26]

The book of Yuri Miller, Caucasian Arms from the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg is in Danish/English language is highly recommended and should be readable for everyone here

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by OsobistGB

Unfortunately, the good books on the subject are in a language incomprehensible to English speakers . This is why they offer you Rivkin's book (not that there is another). Of course, it can serve as a general idea on the topic

Which books are these you refer to? I believe Kirill Rivkin is well versed in most references of other languages referrjng to these weapons. This is why his book is so valuable, he has access and understanding of a considerable number of the 'good books' you allude to. His book is FAR from general ideas on this topic and THAT is why I recommended it.
As Udo has noted, the book by Yuri Miller which has both Danish and English languages in text is also excellent.

I believe many of the 'good books' you refer to are likely in Rivkin's bibliography, but am curious to know which books you refer to. Actually some years ago when researching these topics, many of us actually had references translated!

[OsobistGB]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Which books are these you refer to? I believe Kirill Rivkin is well versed in most references of other languages referrjng to these weapons. This is why his book is so valuable, he has access and understanding of a considerable number of the 'good books' you allude to. His book is FAR from general ideas on this topic and THAT is why I recommended it.
As Udo has noted, the book by Yuri Miller which has both Danish and English languages in text is also excellent.

I believe many of the 'good books' you refer to are likely in Rivkin's bibliography, but am curious to know which books you refer to. Actually some years ago when researching these topics, many of us actually had references translated!

The author in question is popular with you mainly for political reasons.Of course his book is good and I have nothing against the author. However, I believe that you do not consider that he is the only author and that this is the only book on the subject If someone decided to research the issue in detail, the two books published in English would not be enough
Here are several books dedicated to the topic. Some are comprehensive studies, others partially touch on the issue I recommend that you get them whenever possible.

[OsobistGB]

As a matter of fact, Rivkin's book was not published in Russia in Russian

[TVV]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Personally, I prefer Rivkin's books to those of the late Astvatsaturian. Miller's book is just a catalogue. For a book on the subject in English, I am not aware of a better one than that of Rivkin, but am open to suggestions.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by TVV

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Personally, I prefer Rivkin's books to those of the late Astvatsaturian. Miller's book is just a catalogue. For a book on the subject in English, I am not aware of a better one than that of Rivkin, but am open to suggestions.

Of course, everyone has their own preferences. Rivkin's book is more modern and covers Caucasian items from a variety of collections. Astvatsaturyan’s book was written from the collection of only one museum and at a time when the Internet was not yet so widespread, which made the work of researchers difficult. But Astvatsaturyan’s research on ornamental motifs on weapons of different peoples of the Caucasus is undoubtedly unsurpassed. Unfortunately, I don’t know Russian well and read books in Russian using translation applications on my smartphone. But even such a translation allows you to get a lot of interesting and valuable information.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by OsobistGB

As a matter of fact, Rivkin's book was not published in Russia in Russian

In fact, Rivkin’s book, or rather its prequel, was published in Russia in 2012. Probably, then Rivkin did not yet risk publishing a book for an English-speaking audience I made friends from Russia a little later, when Rivkin’s book was already in English. That's why I didn't order this russian edition.

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by OsobistGB

The author in question is popular with you mainly for political reasons.Of course his book is good and I have nothing against the author. However, I believe that you do not consider that he is the only author and that this is the only book on the subject If someone decided to research the issue in detail, the two books published in English would not be enough
Here are several books dedicated to the topic. Some are comprehensive studies, others partially touch on the issue I recommend that you get them whenever possible.

I can confirm that these are excellent books. Almost all of them are in my library, thanks to my friends. The only thing is, here are two books that they did not advise me to buy. They do not contain valuable information, but isolated quotes from other books on this topic published earlier

[OsobistGB]

Originally Posted by TVV

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Personally, I prefer Rivkin's books to those of the late Astvatsaturian. Miller's book is just a catalogue. For a book on the subject in English, I am not aware of a better one than that of Rivkin, but am open to suggestions.

In fact, I can't think of any other Caucasian-themed book other than Rivkin's published in English. Which automatically means that there is no better book. In order not to bore the other participants in the discussion, and because of my bad English, I will allow myself to quote something in a language that you understand ... "В царството на слепите едноокият е цар"

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by OsobistGB

The author in question is popular with you mainly for political reasons.Of course his book is good and I have nothing against the author. However, I believe that you do not consider that he is the only author and that this is the only book on the subject If someone decided to research the issue in detail, the two books published in English would not be enough
Here are several books dedicated to the topic. Some are comprehensive studies, others partially touch on the issue I recommend that you get them whenever possible.

Kirill Rivkin is indeed quite popular with me, but for his outstanding research and knowledge which he has always generously shared with myself and others in our queries in these topics. I have NO idea what you mean about politics, but understand there is a cultural and language gap here. I will say your English is much better than my Russian, which is nil.

Of course I believe in broad research sources, which is why I asked for the other books you mentioned, and thank you for sharing the titles and the illustrations of the books. While these are of course not only difficult to acquire here and of course to translate, my point was that certainly Kirill Rivkin has access to these and likely filtered much of the material into his work as applicable. I believe typically authors do share and corroborate data and ideas.

Obviously no single resource is entirely relied upon by any responsible researcher, and my endorsement on Mr. Rivkins book was to say it is a most valuable reference which has many details often not available to non Russian speakers.

[OsobistGB]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Kirill Rivkin is indeed quite popular with me, but for his outstanding research and knowledge which he has always generously shared with myself and others in our queries in these topics. I have NO idea what you mean about politics, but understand there is a cultural and language gap here. I will say your English is much better than my Russian, which is nil.

Of course I believe in broad research sources, which is why I asked for the other books you mentioned, and thank you for sharing the titles and the illustrations of the books. While these are of course not only difficult to acquire here and of course to translate, my point was that certainly Kirill Rivkin has access to these and likely filtered much of the material into his work as applicable. I believe typically authors do share and corroborate data and ideas.

Obviously no single resource is entirely relied upon by any responsible researcher, and my endorsement on Mr. Rivkins book was to say it is a most valuable reference which has many details often not available to non Russian speakers.

Again, I want to emphasize that there is no reason to dislike Rivkin's work and knowledge.I realize that this is almost the only way for this topic to reach a wide audience that does not understand the Russian language.I myself am in close contact with leading experts and collectors related to the topic of the Caucasus.The general opinion is , that the topic is extremely vast and it is almost impossible to cover it in just one study and by one author.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by OsobistGB

Again, I want to emphasize that there is no reason to dislike Rivkin's work and knowledge.I realize that this is almost the only way for this topic to reach a wide audience that does not understand the Russian language.I myself am in close contact with leading experts and collectors related to the topic of the Caucasus.The general opinion is , that the topic is extremely vast and it is almost impossible to cover it in just one study and by one author.

Well said! Clearly we are fortunate to have you here as many of us with interest in these areas to assist with the esoterica that invariably needs interpretation. Kirill Rivkin has provided us with valuable insights into these areas which most of us would not otherwise have had. This material affords us much better overview with which to seek more corroborating information in other sources.
Thank you for your valued assistance and insights.