Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period [Hardcover]

Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 700 pages
• Publisher: Legat Verlag (November 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3932942221
• ISBN-13: 978-3932942228
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 10.5 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,482,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani is the author of the book "Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period" (published 2006) that features a detailed analysis of Iranian arms and armor from the pre-historical times to the end of the Qajar rule in Iran. This book is based on over 800 primary and secondary sources and features a detailed analysis of over 520 artifacts from ten Iranian museums for the first time. Some selected items from private collections are also featured in this book. The book won the prize "The World Book Prize of the Islamic Republic of Iran" in the field of Iranian Studies in February 2009. Dr. Khorasani is also the author of the book "Lexicon of Arms and Armor from Iran: A Study of Symbols and Terminology" (published 2010) that features the inventory of arms and armor of another Iranian museum "The Cultural Institution of the Museums of Bonyad." The lexicon provides a sound and solid base of terminology of arms and armor in Persian by presenting all major types of the Persian language, namely the Avestan, the Old Persian, the Middle Persian (Pahlavi), and the New Persian. Next to each entry which is written in its phonetic alphabet, the original script is provided as well.

His doctoral thesis was published as a book titled "The Development of Controversies: From Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums" by Peter Lang Verlag Bern in the series "Linguistics Insights" edited by Professor Mauricio Gotti in 2008/2009.

Dr. Khorasani is also the author of the book "Antique Oriental and Arab Weapons and Armour: The Streshinskiy Collection" (published 2010). The Streshinsky collection of antique arms and armor contains 140 items from different Muslim countries spread over a wide geographical areas. These items can be divided into 32 pieces from North, West and East Africa (items from Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Western Sudanic Africa, Sahara, Somalia and Ethiopia), 9 items from the Arabian Peninsula (items from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen) and 1 item from Iraq, 29 items from the Ottoman Empire, 4 items from Caucasus, 18 items from Iran and 3 items from Afghanistan, 42 items from India and 2 items from Indonesia.


Dr. Moshtagh Khorasani has written over sixty six print articles, lexicon entries and book contributions related to arms and armor from Iran in 24 print journals and magazines, an encyclopedia and one in a book in English, German, Spanish, French and Persian for American, Argentinian, Austrian, British, Canadian, French, German, Indian, Iranian, South Korean and Spanish magazines.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent review of Iranian Armor, January 23, 2007

By 

Fathali Ghahremani "qajar" (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period (Hardcover)

This is a truly exceptional book that discuss not only the armor of Iran but also details metal work in general. Its list of references will no doubt guide others in the field, allowing a better understanding of steel production, use and export from Iran. Any scholar that is interested in weaponry, it manufacture and its use in the order of battle of Iranian armies should consider this as a prime reference. Its chapter on steel manufacture is truly interesting.


I also hope that this erudite and much needed study will contribute to the revival of the ancient art of metal work in Iran.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arms and Armor from Iran, January 31, 2007

By 

Runjeet Singh (Akaal Arms) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period (Hardcover)

'Arms and Armor from Iran' is an Academic study of immense proportions. Manouchehr Khorasani is not only able to transport us to the most important Persian collections in the world, but able to educate us on those Works of Art in fine grain detail. Due to the authors shear hard work, the book is able to cover vast time periods in Persian history, and cover a wide range of relevant topics. Manouchehr has been able to fill a gap in my library; his book will continue to be my first port of call when researching Persian Arms and Armour.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpeice!, April 4, 2007

By 

Jahun Moayedzadeh (Center of Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arms and Armor from Iran: The Bronze Age to the End of the Qajar Period (Hardcover)

What a work of art!! I consider this book to as precious and valuable as the masterpieces Mr. Khorasani did so much research on to write this book.

This is HANDS-DOWN THE BEST BOOK EVER (EVER) written on Iranian (or Middle Eastern) arms and armor. I would go as far as to say that this is one of the best books written on the subject of arms and armor.

Look, this book weights over 10 lbs. It consumed over 8 years of the Authors' life to gather and organize all the information in this book, and this book has a lot of information. Very important information. A lot of whats in this book is RARE information. Its amazing, so much of the information in this has never even been written in English before. So, much detail... I know without a hesitation that much of info was translated from Farsi and Arabic.

There is nothing like this book. Details are given, not only about the weapons and armor, but also about how it was worn and used. I really love how the Author put this together. There is so much detail about the conduct a warrior should have, how they lived there life, and the etiquette in which a man should carry himself and his sword. Mr. Khorasani, even includes Omar Khayyam's chapter on swords, from his book noruz-nameh, as well as many other important people. It has taught a lot about my heritage. So, much so, that I am even teaching my family about our heritage. I learned that swords and swordsmanship go deep in my veins. My ancestors were even called men of the sword by the Persians. I have been studying Japanese swordsmanship for about 5 years, and my father would always ask me why. I never had a good reply, until I got this book. Now he never asks anymore. Javanmardi, is the way which I try to live my life. This book has really changed me as a Persian and as a Martial artist. I carry the same pride around now as the Sassanian warriors or Ayyer did. Pride in my weapons. Pride in my skills. Pride in my long wavy hair.

If you are reading these reviews to decided if you should buy this book or if you are into arms and armor. BUY IT!! You can't go wrong. I bought this book the 1st week it was published last year, and its still in perfect condition. So, while it is a big book; it can still take some damage. I carried my copy around for the first 3 months i got it. The price on this book will only scare you for a minute. Once you actually see and feel this book, you won't regret it. I'm sure of that.

Thank you Mr Khorasani for the dedication and sacrifices you have made to to write this book. Its a real gem. You should be proud of yourself, for a job well done. I think what you have done and what this book, really, represents is something very special. Thanks again!

Noruzeh moborak!!

Jahun Moayedzadeh