Soviet Uniforms and Militaria 1917-1991 [Hardcover]

Laszlo Bekesi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2001

Discover uniforms and militaria from behind the Iron Curtain, not previously released for public view from Soviet Russian historical archives. This is the first full-color photographic reference book to illustrate these items, which are selected from the 74-year history of the regime from the October Revolution to the collapse of Communism in 1991. Each uniform is worn by a live model and supported by close-ups of head gear, insignia, decorations, weapons, and ephemera. Includes 100 previously unpublished photos from private Russian collections. Stunning!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laszlo Bekesi is a Hungarian economist and sociologist. Now a lecturer in geopolitics at Budapest Corvinus University, he wrote his PhD thesis on the cycles of military symbolism in the former Eastern Bloc countries. For many years he has collected Soviet militaria and related documents and photographs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Crowood (January 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861263708
• ISBN-13: 978-1861263704
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,246,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If an appearance could kill..., July 22, 2002

By 

Mikhail Barkovskiy (Warszawa, Poland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soviet Uniforms and Militaria 1917-1991 (Hardcover)

Being an ex-serviceman of the Soviet Army and Soviet uniform books and dress regulations collector I would not recommend this book to any serious reader. Several pictures show items of field, service and special dress mixed or worn wrongly. Models present a real nightmare for any average sergeant-major: unshaved, long hairs, wearing totally unfitted uniforms (too small or too long sleeves, blouses and trousers are not pressed etc). The art of wrapping putties (see pre-1945 section) must be a great mystery to them (and to the authors). All this is described as "non-regulation manner of wear" but in fact present a group of scarecrows rather than regular soldiers.
I remember my first sergeant-major who used to say that a real soldier is expected to kill an enemy by his look and appearance. I think - he was telling us the truth. Two stars for binding and dust-jacket.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Photographs, but Poor Live Models!, May 6, 2010

By 

Mike Doerner (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soviet Uniforms and Militaria 1917-1991 (Hardcover)

I was lucky and purchased this book several weeks ago for around $35.00 (April 2010); why it has gone up in price is a mystery. $29.95 would be a more fair price, considering the problems this book has. I agree with Mr. Barkovskiy's review regarding the live model photos being sloppy; using live models for uniform books has been around for some time, so it is rather disappointing that the author failed to match up his friends (models) to the appropriately sized uniforms and hats.

Most of the uniforms are severly wrinkled, to the point of distraction. The sniper girl on page 38 is wearing a skirt and jacket so wrinkled, you might not notice her hat is 4 sizes too big...or that the sniper scope in her hand is certainly not going on that standard straight-bolt Mosin Nagant rifle! The same rifle and scope appear "next to each other" several more times in the book. It's not the sniper version with the turned-down bolt; placing the scope next to it doesn't make it a sniper rifle, either.

The guy on page 35 has an open fly! Oops! Forgot to button that... Page 41, the guy's glasses are on crooked. Page 69--necktie is lose, jacket too big. Page 98--necktie is loose, jacket 2 sizes too small for model. P.105--jacket so small, model cannot button it all the way. P.109--these two guys look like hotel doormen hanging out in the bathroom on their first day at work in their ill-fitting uniforms. It would be easy to pick apart every page, but you get the idea. Medals look hastily pinned-on moments prior to the photos being taken, hats are too small, neckties are loose, etc. I would like to have seen more detailed photos on the canteens, helmets, gas masks, etc. in addition to the twelve variations of exactly the same hat the author has on at least two full pages.

A running textual commentary on the development of the uniforms would have been nice, but all this book has is a dis-jointed array of specific photo comments. There was no real organization other than a broad sweep of three eras and military branches.

To end on a positive note, however, I purchased this book considering the one review it had (2 stars--M. Barkovskiy), and was prepared for the sloppy live model photos. They do at least show real uniforms, not paintings or drawings. And seeing them on real people is better than on a dummy or coat hanger. The quality of the photography is great (lighting, composition, crispness of details), and the historical photos are a real plus. I appreciate the work the author put into his book; it's a shame he didn't pay attention to those last-minute details.

I'll give him another chance by purchasing his newer uniform book on the WWII period. Hopefully, improvements will have been made based on his first experience.