Jacob'e Book . Opinions???

ariel · 11th November 2005, 08:59 PM

This book just ended
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
It fetched a not inconsiderable sum of money.
Those of you who are familiar with it: is it really that good and irreprlaceable?
I have Elgood on Arabian and Indian weapons, Astvatsaturyan on Caucasian and Turkish, Polish books on Persian etc in addition to Pant, Cato, and Stone and Tarassyuk encyclopedias ( that is an abbreviated version).
Am I missing something important by not having Jacob? On top of everything, I do not know French and can only look at the pics and read some titles and sword names.

Tim Simmons · 11th November 2005, 09:21 PM

Knowledge can be expensive, knowledge is power

Tim

Jens Nordlunde · 12th November 2005, 09:10 AM

The book on eBay was not so expensive, but I suppose it depends on how badly you want it. IT is a rare book, I have only found two on the net, and the prices were more than twice as much.

ariel · 12th November 2005, 06:26 PM

My question is: does it offer any information not available in other, less expensive books?
Pant is very expensive, but it covers very wide area and goes into minute details. Astvatsaturyan is a classic and I pity you, guys, who cannot read Russian!
Is Jacob yet another "coffee table" or "eastern sword for the beginner"-type book or is it a serious study offering indispensable and unique information?

Tim Simmons · 12th November 2005, 07:08 PM

I only have school boy or grocers French but even I can read from the sellers comments that this book has extensive coverage of Islamic weapon far more than other publications with a similar Islamic weapons title . This book includes magic weapons and! those of Africa. I wish I had a copy

Tim.

Battara · 12th November 2005, 10:54 PM

Ariel, I wish I could read Russian, there are some books on Ottoman stuff I'd love to get but alas, they are in Russian. I can barely make out some of the Cyrillic.

Rivkin · 13th November 2005, 02:16 AM

There are really a lot of new books on eastern arms and armor that were recently published in russian. Reprint "Tsarskoe selo collection", "state armory collection (oruzheinaja palata)", "great steppe" and "weapons of the ancient east", to name a few...

ariel · 15th November 2005, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

There are really a lot of new books on eastern arms and armor that were recently published in russian. Reprint "Tsarskoe selo collection", "state armory collection (oruzheinaja palata)", "great steppe" and "weapons of the ancient east", to name a few...

Rivkin,
What do you mean by the last two titles? Never heard of them. Can you give more precise info and where to get them?

Rivkin · 15th November 2005, 04:59 PM

The biggest "weapons-oriented" publishing house in russia:
http://www.atlant-tpg.ru/sto.html
"Weapons of the ancient east", Gorelik
http://books.j5.ru/tov/orugie-drevne...ie-iv-v-do-n-e
Mongols ... by Gorelik
http://www.neobook.ru/showtov.asp?Cat_id=51476

The first one, ancient east, I've got and you are welcome to borrow it, if you like. Concerning buying them from Russia, I usually just use people I know and ask them to bring book or two on their next visit.

ham · 24th November 2005, 09:06 PM

Gentlemen,

I acquired Jacob's book when it was published and have read it thoroughly. In its favor, it is broad in its coverage and contains images of some fine examples. Unfortunately, the text is not especially informative and provides no new data regarding Islamic arms. For these reasons it has been suggested that it is of more use to non-French speakers than anyone else.
Regarding steppe peoples, Gorelik's work is genuinely impressive. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in this area.

Sincerely,

Ham

11th November 2005, 08:59 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Jacob'e Book . Opinions??? This book just ended http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 It fetched a not inconsiderable sum of money. Those of you who are familiar with it: is it really that good and irreprlaceable? I have Elgood on Arabian and Indian weapons, Astvatsaturyan on Caucasian and Turkish, Polish books on Persian etc in addition to Pant, Cato, and Stone and Tarassyuk encyclopedias ( that is an abbreviated version). Am I missing something important by not having Jacob? On top of everything, I do not know French and can only look at the pics and read some titles and sword names.

12th November 2005, 07:08 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,750	I only have school boy or grocers French but even I can read from the sellers comments that this book has extensive coverage of Islamic weapon far more than other publications with a similar Islamic weapons title . This book includes magic weapons and! those of Africa. I wish I had a copy Tim. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 12th November 2005 at 09:33 PM. Reason: SPELLING!!!Spelling SpellingSpellingSpelling

11th November 2005, 09:21 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,750	Knowledge can be expensive, knowledge is power Tim

12th November 2005, 09:10 AM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,716	The book on eBay was not so expensive, but I suppose it depends on how badly you want it. IT is a rare book, I have only found two on the net, and the prices were more than twice as much.

12th November 2005, 06:26 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My question is: does it offer any information not available in other, less expensive books? Pant is very expensive, but it covers very wide area and goes into minute details. Astvatsaturyan is a classic and I pity you, guys, who cannot read Russian! Is Jacob yet another "coffee table" or "eastern sword for the beginner"-type book or is it a serious study offering indispensable and unique information?

12th November 2005, 10:54 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,161	Ariel, I wish I could read Russian, there are some books on Ottoman stuff I'd love to get but alas, they are in Russian. I can barely make out some of the Cyrillic.

13th November 2005, 02:16 AM	#7
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	There are really a lot of new books on eastern arms and armor that were recently published in russian. Reprint "Tsarskoe selo collection", "state armory collection (oruzheinaja palata)", "great steppe" and "weapons of the ancient east", to name a few...

15th November 2005, 04:59 PM	#9
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	The biggest "weapons-oriented" publishing house in russia: http://www.atlant-tpg.ru/sto.html "Weapons of the ancient east", Gorelik http://books.j5.ru/tov/orugie-drevne...ie-iv-v-do-n-e Mongols ... by Gorelik http://www.neobook.ru/showtov.asp?Cat_id=51476 The first one, ancient east, I've got and you are welcome to borrow it, if you like. Concerning buying them from Russia, I usually just use people I know and ask them to bring book or two on their next visit.

24th November 2005, 09:06 PM	#10
ham Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 190	Gentlemen, I acquired Jacob's book when it was published and have read it thoroughly. In its favor, it is broad in its coverage and contains images of some fine examples. Unfortunately, the text is not especially informative and provides no new data regarding Islamic arms. For these reasons it has been suggested that it is of more use to non-French speakers than anyone else. Regarding steppe peoples, Gorelik's work is genuinely impressive. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in this area. Sincerely, Ham