Customer Reviews

Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia Volume II

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
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Excellent photos and artwork with clear, concise explanations. An excellent collector's item, but not really a suggested "coffee table" book. There's quite a bit of nudity, graphic political and sexual imagery, and one heaping dose of harsh reality.

and you'll begin to get an idea of the contents of this amazing book. The "Vory v zakone" (literally "thieves in law")are Russia's criminal underworld and their existence dates back to the days of Tsarist prisons. They have their own elaborate set of laws, their own culture, and each thief's professional resume is tattooed on his body.

The author of this book, a former Russian prison guard, spent years documenting these tattoos and unraveling their meanings, and in the process has created a fascinating cultural history. Be forewarned, however, these tattoos are not like anything you've probably ever seen before, even in the American prison system. Many of them are quite shocking in their sexual detail and depiction of violence. Some of these tattoos were forcibly applied to the wearers' bodies, as punishment for reneging on gambling debts, serving as an informant, or other infractions of the thieves' code. This is not a book you'll want to let your kids get ahold of, as most of the "art" depicted is quite repellent. But it's a glimpse into a world most people didn't even know existed until the arrival of the Russian mob in the US and the release of movies like "Eastern Promises."

From my perspective, I'm glad that most of the tattoos are drawings, not photographs. It makes it easier to see some of the fine details in the tattoos. If you have an interest in crime and the criminal underworld, this book makes for a fascinating read.

This is the real deal. Filled with illustrations of tattoos and their meanings. This is not a fluffy book with happy hearts and tribal motifs. It is gritty, nasty, often explicit tattoos from the prisons in Russia.

As a tattooed guy who spends a lot of time over there, it is also a valuable reference.

My only regret is that there aren't more photos. Much of the book is drawings ... good ones... but I would like to see a lot more photographs of the people.

Perhaps I will just have to buy one of his other books

You'd be hard pressed to find another book which has this level of detail, research, and illustration. Baldaev devoted his entire life to recording these tattoos, and explaining their meanings before our very own eyes. This is his masterpiece, his life work. Buy the book.

Thi book is a rare look into a long hidden world of russian prison and criminal subculter. There photos and drawings by Danzig B. with descrip
tions and explanations of the coded images that Tell a mans history good or bad.

Quite an accomplishment. Not for the "faint of heart" but very interesting translation of a culture into the world of tattoos.

Illustrations, photos, and written components in this book are all highly intriguing, culturally charged, and compelling. Loved it.

Great original photography and a whole new look at tattoos...super raw, but oh so cool....not your average tattoo book....but a must own..