New book: Arms and Armor from Iran

Rivkin · 19th September 2006, 05:22 PM

Gentlemen,

I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction:

a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples.
b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction.

So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

ariel · 19th September 2006, 06:40 PM

B.I. and Rivkin,

Let us reserve the judgements until we read it.
After all, as my wife said when she saw this huge volume " This guy must know a lot!"
Now, let's dig in and learn some new things, find novel insights, contradictions and just plain errors.
The rumors were floating for years, the promise to "explain it all" were made in advance and the only proper thing to do was to keep quiet and let the author do his job.
Now this book is out and in a public domain.
It is our responsibility to read it carefully before passing any judgement.
If it is good, let praise it.
If it is bad, let's critique it.
Enjoy the show!

Andrew · 20th September 2006, 03:12 PM

Gentlemen:

As the saying goes, "there is an elephant standing in the room and I'm not going to ignore it."

The author of this book is well known to many of us. Likewise, some here have had prior disagreements with Manouchehr here and on SFI. He no longer posts here, and will be unable to personally respond to comments about his book.

Constructive and civil criticism of the book itself is welcome. However, uncivil, impolite or harsh criticism is not. Nor will personal attacks or editorial comments about the author be permitted. We have not tolerated this about other authors and books, and we will not start now.

We have had inter-fora issues in the past, and I am not interested in seeing them resumed.

Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

Andrew
Vikingsword Staff

Doug M · 20th September 2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Constructive and civil criticism of the book itself is welcome. However, uncivil, impolite or harsh criticism is not. Nor will personal attacks or editorial comments about the author be permitted. We have not tolerated this about other authors and books, and we will not start now.

Well said, Andrew. Thank you for making this clear from the position of the staff here.

tsubame1 · 19th September 2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on.

There is always a first time for everything and everybody.

wolviex · 19th September 2006, 08:47 PM

Can't tell anything before reading it, but I was waiting for this book as promising source of knowledge. Mr. Manoucher (the Author) contacted me some time ago in case of Polish bibliography, he is in every way Gentlemen and I remember him very positive. I know he had many lectures on Universities, and the book was prepared with help of many people from many countries (hope I didn't make mistake and my memory isn't fault in this matter) including Iran. I believe this is good piece of hard work and it will be on of the most important reference books on this matter through next few years. Despite some nuances and differences in point of look. In Poland it is said that 'one is not wrong who's done nothing'

(hope I make it clear in not my native language)
Regards!

Rick · 19th September 2006, 09:27 PM

I'm saddened to hear people making innuendos about a work of obvious dedication and passion .

Let us all come back and discuss the merits of this offering after we have read it for ourselves .

Rick

Mare Rosu · 19th September 2006, 10:24 PM

I agree with Mr. Rick, we should wait, sort of read before you speak.
This is a link to a lecture (video) about the book by the author.
I also ordered the book from the publisher in Germany.
I told the publisher to hurry the shipment as I needed to start my exercise program,

it is a 9 pound book.
Gene
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...03819897907514

P S this video is over 1 1/2 hours long

so it will take a while!

B.I · 19th September 2006, 10:45 PM

i made no innuendos, comments or judgements about this book. i look forward to reading it, just like anything else new on oriental arms. i only asked if the author used his own opinion to date pieces.
he has listed the inventories of 10 museums that have never been published before. even if the book turned out to be completely useless in text, it would be invaluable for this alone.
if i learn one new thing in a book, then the cover price is justified.
everyone looks for different things in a new publication. for me it is good pictures and a strong individual opinion. i was intrigued to see which stance the author took, whether he went through each piece and described and dated them, or just photographed and copied what he saw. i dont see this as pre-judging, more curious and impatient.

Rick · 19th September 2006, 10:59 PM

I didn't say that you did B.I.
I regret that you construed it as such .

Doug M · 20th September 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

Gentlemen,

I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction:

a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples.
b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction.

So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

Not to start an argument, but this "prediction" has nothing to do with Arms and Armor from Iran. Any "prediction" is a gross generalization and appears to make an attempt at, somehow, attacking the author. I truly wonder what is the point of claiming that "I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims."

It is best for readers to ignore the "predicted" association of "a persian book in all other aspects" and read the text. This is not a time to "enjoy the show"--whatever that means--but a time to review what has been written and comment on it in a respectful manner.

Sincerely,

Doug M

19th September 2006, 10:24 PM	#8
Mare Rosu Deceased Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA, DEEP SOUTH, GEORGIA, Y'all hear? Posts: 121	Book I agree with Mr. Rick, we should wait, sort of read before you speak. This is a link to a lecture (video) about the book by the author. I also ordered the book from the publisher in Germany. I told the publisher to hurry the shipment as I needed to start my exercise program, it is a 9 pound book. Gene http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...03819897907514 P S this video is over 1 1/2 hours long so it will take a while! Last edited by Mare Rosu; 19th September 2006 at 10:41 PM.

19th September 2006, 05:22 PM	#1
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Gentlemen, I have not read a book yet, so here is my prediction: a. It it probably going to be a definitive book on arms and armour, with great , well described examples. b. I have yet to read a history book written by a persian that would not be dedicated to glorifying persian culture, persian tolerance and persian territorial claims (they usually claim Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Dagestan, Kurdistan and others to be 100% persian lands taken away by some colonizers), and so on, and so on. I am not going to argue these positions - it is not a history forum, just a matter of prediction. So, my guess is 180 degrees from yours, B.I. - great catalogue of weapons but a persian book in all other aspects.

19th September 2006, 06:40 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	B.I. and Rivkin, Let us reserve the judgements until we read it. After all, as my wife said when she saw this huge volume " This guy must know a lot!" Now, let's dig in and learn some new things, find novel insights, contradictions and just plain errors. The rumors were floating for years, the promise to "explain it all" were made in advance and the only proper thing to do was to keep quiet and let the author do his job. Now this book is out and in a public domain. It is our responsibility to read it carefully before passing any judgement. If it is good, let praise it. If it is bad, let's critique it. Enjoy the show!

20th September 2006, 03:12 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Gentlemen: As the saying goes, "there is an elephant standing in the room and I'm not going to ignore it." The author of this book is well known to many of us. Likewise, some here have had prior disagreements with Manouchehr here and on SFI. He no longer posts here, and will be unable to personally respond to comments about his book. Constructive and civil criticism of the book itself is welcome. However, uncivil, impolite or harsh criticism is not. Nor will personal attacks or editorial comments about the author be permitted. We have not tolerated this about other authors and books, and we will not start now. We have had inter-fora issues in the past, and I am not interested in seeing them resumed. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Andrew Vikingsword Staff

19th September 2006, 08:47 PM	#6
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Can't tell anything before reading it, but I was waiting for this book as promising source of knowledge. Mr. Manoucher (the Author) contacted me some time ago in case of Polish bibliography, he is in every way Gentlemen and I remember him very positive. I know he had many lectures on Universities, and the book was prepared with help of many people from many countries (hope I didn't make mistake and my memory isn't fault in this matter) including Iran. I believe this is good piece of hard work and it will be on of the most important reference books on this matter through next few years. Despite some nuances and differences in point of look. In Poland it is said that 'one is not wrong who's done nothing' (hope I make it clear in not my native language) Regards!

19th September 2006, 09:27 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I'm saddened to hear people making innuendos about a work of obvious dedication and passion . Let us all come back and discuss the merits of this offering after we have read it for ourselves . Rick

19th September 2006, 10:45 PM	#9
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	i made no innuendos, comments or judgements about this book. i look forward to reading it, just like anything else new on oriental arms. i only asked if the author used his own opinion to date pieces. he has listed the inventories of 10 museums that have never been published before. even if the book turned out to be completely useless in text, it would be invaluable for this alone. if i learn one new thing in a book, then the cover price is justified. everyone looks for different things in a new publication. for me it is good pictures and a strong individual opinion. i was intrigued to see which stance the author took, whether he went through each piece and described and dated them, or just photographed and copied what he saw. i dont see this as pre-judging, more curious and impatient.

19th September 2006, 10:59 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I didn't say that you did B.I. I regret that you construed it as such .