Dimas New Book

[Kurt]

Yesterday I received the 2nd volume of Dmitry Miloserdov's new book "Arms and armor of khanates Central Asia (Bukhara, Kokand, Khiva) of the late 18th - early 20th centuries". I have not had a chance to read it yet, but from my first impressions I can say that, like the first volume, this is an exceptional book.
Аfter reading the first volume I realized that like Dmitry's first book, dedicated to Afghanistan, it a serious study ot the weapons from the Central Asia. I had a great time reading the first volume and learned a lot of new and interesting things. The second volume is no less interesting than the first. The book is filled with high quality illustrations with detailed captions. The quality of the iconography is amazing with many historical maps, colour engravings, oils paintings, water colours, old photographs and recent drawings of weapons specially commissioned for this publication. At the same time, as grendolino wrote above, there is a good balance between illustrations and text. I fully support his opinion that it is a good reference atlas, in which there is - close ups in which one can admire the work of masters even better than on a real life visit.
What is also amazing is the quantity of documents found and published by the author about weapons manufacturing in Central Asia such as wootz blades forging and local production, but also the local vocabulary used about the quality of the steel. In total, it is an enormous work carried out byDmitry not only in the field of Central Asian weapons but also in the field of Islamic art.

I do recommend placing an order if you are a collector or just interested in Oriental arms. Undoubtedly this book well worth the money spent.