Customer Reviews

Tiger Patterns: A Guide to the Vietnam War's Tigerstripe Combat Fatigue Patterns and Uniforms (Schiffer Military/Aviation History)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When I purchased this book, I didn't expect to see all the diagrams and charts that it included. The author not only has photos and descriptions of the numerous tiger patterns, but he studied the different buttons and zippers as well! He has hand drawn pictures of patterns and cuts, and there are even a few personal photos of his family wearing tigers from his personal collection.

I highly recommend this book for collectors and people who want to know more about Vietnam tigerstripes.

Sgt Johnson's book on the tiger stripe camouflague pattern and its variants is an excellent book. Indeed, it is the authoritative reference on the subject for some time. The authour's methodical sysmatization and meticulious research have certainly provided militaria collectors with highly rigourous technical standards.

Although this book is primarly for collectors, modelers and reenactors will find this book equally helpful in their research.

Nevertheless, there are a number of glaring oversights that detract from the book's overall value.
First, there's no index. Given the book's meticulous details and bewildering variety of tiger strip patterns, an index isn't merely useful; it's absolutely essential.
Second, there's no bibliography. Its absence is inexplicable; how is the collector, modeler, historian or reenactor supposed to learn more about this pattern and become more discerning without the primary and secondary sources? Especially since the book is primarily for them.
Third, I found the historical background of the tigerstrips rather too perfunctory.I would've appreciated to know how the French Indochinese lézard pattern evolved into the tiger strips
Fourth, spelling mistakes mar this book and it's unjustifiable considering that the book is sold by a professional publisher and its price tag
Finally, the authour makes cryptic referencs to the 1990 edition of the book. Yet when I looked at the inside page for the publication data, the book was published in 1999.
Despite these glaring oversights, which can be corrected in a subsequent reprint, this book is highly recommended

The information in this book is edifying, but for an educated reader it can be tough going. I find it painful to read a book where the publisher has not invested the energy to make sure that apostrophes are placed correctly. The text of this book is sadly about on the level or many greengrocers' signs, repeating in published print common errors that I distinctly recall having addressed in middle school.
In an apparent attempt to cover for his low state of literacy, the author has tried for an "educated" sound, replacing every instance of the word "in" with the word "within". He invents words like "asperse". Often, I can not tell what a given sentence means after several analytic readings.
I would stress, however, that this should not reflect poorly on the author, who is clearly not an academic. It should reflect brutally on the reputation of his publisher for not taking editorial responsibility.

This is an EXCELLENT book about Vietnam War Tiger dtripe uniforms. THis is a book for experts or for whom wants to be the Tigerstripe uniform expert. If you like to study Vietnam War stuffs. THe last thing you want to miss is this book.

The following quotation is from page 242 of Johnson's book, "Tiger Patterns: A Guide to the Vietnam War's Tigerstripe Combat Fatigue Patterns and Uniforms:"

"Every collector should recognize that one of the most elemental sources in collecting...is the use of the business or collector's card as a propaganda tool. I've met many veterans who were extremely grateful to perceive that someone would give their garments and artifacts a good home, even if I myself knew that I would trade or otherwise dispose of them soon after purchase."

Please read that last sentence again. Johnson clearly states that he dupes Vietnam Vets into donating or selling artifacts from their days in the war, with the understanding that he will cherish and preserve their items. His intent, as he continues, is to use those Vet's memorabilia as a stepping stone to acquire more expensive/better/rarer items.

In speaking of the business cards, Johnson further states "I have always found it useful to have my cards state that I was a curator as opposed to a mere collector (242)." In other words, he leads the Veterans to conclude that the artifacts of their combat service will be in a museum, to tell the history of the Vietnam War. Instead, they're fodder for Johnson's own collection.

I owe my life to these heroic Vietnam Veterans. When I enlisted, my NCO's were all Vietnam Vets, who taught me what it means to be a soldier and a troop leader. The lessons they taught me I passed on to my troops, when I was an NCO in combat in Iraq. I find it despicable that Johnson would purposely dupe these men and women, who gave so much to our country. I do not wish to tell you what to do with your hard earned money, but I would offer that the fifty dollar price of this book could be better spent as a donation to the VFW, American Legion, or any Vietnam Veterans organization--rather than lining the pocket of a huckster like Johnson.

I had a chance to look at this title at a militaria show in the Pacific North West. I liked it very much. Its time
that Vietnam era Militaria be given the respect it deserves. There are so many variations of theater made
uniforms. I cant remember if Thialand or Philipine tiger stripes are covered as some Air Force, Navy and Marines
also had their tiger stripes made out side of Vietnam also. Its a really fantasic reference. Sadly, the renactor
crowd and various commecial vendors like Mil Spec are reproducing the tiger stripe uniforms.

Recommended for a dealer of military or Vietnam era collector.
If I were older I would have bought the uniforms I found at GI Surplus on Sumner ave Springfield, MA prior to their close in 1980.

Tiger stripe Fan's Collectible Books.
Very interesting book.
Thank you.