Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 10th July 2009, 04:01 PM

Thank you so much for the heads up on this Jens!!!
It seems I have been waiting forever for this book, and finally its almost here. The key thing on Robert Elgood's books is the goldmine of information in the footnotes alone. Many years ago I discovered that regardless of what field of arms and armour one studies, there are often important details and clues that will pertain in wide degree in references that are titled and focused on entirely different areas.

This is particularly the case in Elgood's books, which offer profusely researched and detailed as well as clearly cited material in both text and footnotes. I can recall numerous instances for example while researching certain edged weapons from Arabia and India, I found wonderfully important information in his "Firearms of the Islamic World". While I was not particularly interested in firearms at the time, his intriguing and fact filled writing in the text compelled me to continue reading, and I quickly became more fascinated with these weapons. He is extremely comfortable in his knowledge in the material he writes, thus it is most enjoyable as well as informative....much like a fascinating professor, whose lecture you do not want to end

A confirmed addict of Elgoods wonderfully researched work, I confess to spending hours just wandering through his footnotes in any of the volumes I have by him. Knowing the work he has put in on this new book, clearly I am anxious to see it, and to the new adventures I cannot wait to begin.

I have gained new interest in early firearms thanks to the great examples shared for discussion on the 'European Armoury' , and the sound footing I gained through my experience with Elgood's book on Islamic firearms. I am certain this new book will become a much called upon reference as well.

These are simply my opinions and perspective, based on many years of the books Robert Elgood has written, and how they have guided me wonderfully through more research adventures than I can possibly recount here.

All the best,
Jim

10th July 2009, 04:01 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Thank you so much for the heads up on this Jens!!! It seems I have been waiting forever for this book, and finally its almost here. The key thing on Robert Elgood's books is the goldmine of information in the footnotes alone. Many years ago I discovered that regardless of what field of arms and armour one studies, there are often important details and clues that will pertain in wide degree in references that are titled and focused on entirely different areas. This is particularly the case in Elgood's books, which offer profusely researched and detailed as well as clearly cited material in both text and footnotes. I can recall numerous instances for example while researching certain edged weapons from Arabia and India, I found wonderfully important information in his "Firearms of the Islamic World". While I was not particularly interested in firearms at the time, his intriguing and fact filled writing in the text compelled me to continue reading, and I quickly became more fascinated with these weapons. He is extremely comfortable in his knowledge in the material he writes, thus it is most enjoyable as well as informative....much like a fascinating professor, whose lecture you do not want to end A confirmed addict of Elgoods wonderfully researched work, I confess to spending hours just wandering through his footnotes in any of the volumes I have by him. Knowing the work he has put in on this new book, clearly I am anxious to see it, and to the new adventures I cannot wait to begin. I have gained new interest in early firearms thanks to the great examples shared for discussion on the 'European Armoury' , and the sound footing I gained through my experience with Elgood's book on Islamic firearms. I am certain this new book will become a much called upon reference as well. These are simply my opinions and perspective, based on many years of the books Robert Elgood has written, and how they have guided me wonderfully through more research adventures than I can possibly recount here. All the best, Jim Last edited by Jim McDougall; 10th July 2009 at 04:16 PM.