Firearms of the Islamic World: in the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait [Hardcover]

Robert Elgood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1995

The first surviving reference to the use of gunpowder appears in a Chinese manuscript dating from 1044 AD. The formula for gunpowder was passed to the Arabs via India and Persia and its first use in firearms in Europe is reported at the Arab siege of Spain in 1324. While much has been written about the history of firearms in Europe and North America, their development in the Islamic world and their subsequent history there has been almost totally neglected.

Elgood, uses the collection of firearms from the Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait to explore the subject. The collection ranges from Morocco to India, China and Central Asia, taking in almost every country in between. Elgood describes the artistry and beauty of antique firearms, focusing on the use of decoration and great craftsmanship as well as the technological innovations that were developed, and looking at the different cultures of the Islamic world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: I. B. Tauris; First Edition edition (November 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185043963X
• ISBN-13: 978-1850439639
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,666,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Firearms of the Islamic World, April 20, 2010

By 

B.I - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firearms of the Islamic World: in the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait (Hardcover)

I am slightly confused by the one poor review, as the reader had issues with the lack of engraving reference(?) This book has nothing to do with engraving, and is a very well written and researched study on oriental firearms, as stated in the title. And as such, it excels in every way. Whilst European arms have been covered in many publications, the East is a subject with little known reference. The author has delved deep into historical research and provided a great overview of the Arab world, with good images and copious reference notes. In the 15 years since it was first published, this still remains a seminal study and essential for any library on the subject of arms.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventures in History, April 14, 2010

By 

McDougall "Jim" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firearms of the Islamic World: in the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait (Hardcover)

As a lifelong researcher on historic antique arms and armour, I believe my earliest interests were brought about in my youth watching the thrilling adventure movies which were centered in exotic places and made from the Golden Age of Hollywood into the years of the classic stars. While these were extensions of the also classic literature on which they were based, the romanticism and excitement led to the deepest desire to learn more about these mysterious places and what the people in them were really like.

This book reflects the tenacious scholarship that has become the hallmark of its author, Dr. Robert Elgood, and presents itself beautifully to both serious scholars of these fascinating arms, as well as to the world of armchair adventurers, to which I proudly claim myself included.

It presents the breathtaking weapons of the Taraq Rajeb Museum in Kuwait, which are included throughout the deftly crafted text which is a fact filled narrative of pure adventure through these exciting times. The weapons themselves are noted briefly on the pages, but expertly described in detail at the back of the book. Here also is a superb bibliography which presents the reader with a myriad of intriguing titles to pursue these subjects further, and best of all, what I regard as the treasure chest!! the footnotes.......fantastic!

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, April 21, 2010

By 

Tatyana Dianova - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firearms of the Islamic World: in the Tared Rajab Museum, Kuwait (Hardcover)

I believe that collecting and study of Oriental arms is absolutely senseless without historical and cultural background. From this point of view this book is a perfect blend between wonderful illustrations and very informative text, which can be provided only by the real specialist in the field. This book, for sure, will be the invaluable source of information for everybody interested in Islamic history, culture, arts and, of course, arms. Highly recommended!