The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals 1st Edition

by Jr. McDaniel, Paul D. (Author), Paul J. Schmitt (Author), Paul D. Jr. McDaniel (Author)

13 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0965628907

ISBN-10: 0965628906

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This book is the first of its kind, in any language, to catalog by type, variation and serial number, the wide variety of Soviet orders and medals. The book explains not only the history of each award, but the official statutes and regulations governing them, and contains over 630 color and 50 b/w photographs. The obverse and reverse of each type and variation are illustrated, as well as soldiers, sailors and civilians wearing their decorations. Rarity ratings are assigned to each type and variation and there is a separate chapter for the examination of items associated with Soviet orders and medals. There is also a section within each chapter which examines fakes that have been observed by the authors. This reference will be a valuable guide for the Soviet order and medal collector or anyone interested in this unique aspect of Soviet History.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

This is one of the most important medal books of the decade. Finally, we have an authoritative and complete book on Soviet orders and medals............This book will absolutely be the "bible" for collectors of Soviet orders and medals, and that is only to be expected. However, it will also open up the field to new collectors as well by giving them information not previousely available and by reducing - if not eliminating - the risk of getting stung by bad material. Even if you don't collect Soviet material, I strongly recommend adding this book to your library if for no other reason than because it is so well done, so impressive, and so interesting! -- The Journal of the Orders and Medals Society of America, August-September, 1997

Product details

Publisher : Historical Research Llc; 1st Edition (May 1, 1997)
Language : English
Hardcover : 409 pages
ISBN-10 : 0965628906
ISBN-13 : 978-0965628907
Item Weight : 4.7 pounds
Dimensions : 8.75 x 1.25 x 11.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #4,101,501 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #54 in Medal Collecting
- #972 in Military Antiques & Collectibles
- #7,588 in Antiques & Collectibles Encyclopedias

Customer Reviews:
13 ratings

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4 star		12%
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El guapo

Just buy it if you are a seller. Pays for itself.

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

A well written book for
A dealer like me who doesnt specialize in soviet orders but gets them every so often mixed in my TR deals. Wish it had more of the civilian early badges, but its already made me thousands so i cant complain.

One person found this helpful

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Declan Hamilton

Truly excellent book

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2018

Verified Purchase

Truly excellent book
I found this book very well written lots of excellent pictures if you’re interested in Soviet medals this is the book for you it is expensive but it’s worth every penny I highly recommend it

One person found this helpful

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E. Gaumann

Simply the best.

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2005

This is the best book on medal collecting out there. Period. Combining detailed, color pictures, specific award criteria and a comprehensive thoroughness it easily outdistances any other medal collectors guide in *any* field (Third Reich, British, American, Imperial German (would that there was one even half as good as this)). Only Previtera's "The Iron Time" can match it in quality and "The Iron Time" is limited to investigating one award (The Prussian Iron Cross) so it has a very narrow focus despite it being a five star book in it's own right. Schmitt & McDaniel's book has set a very high bar that any "comprehensive" medal collector's book issued in the future will have a struggle to match. Not only that the publication of this book helps legitamize the collecting of the "evil empire's" awards unlike any other publication from the past. Well worth it's price.

6 people found this helpful

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David W. Groat

The only one you'll need

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2007

If you have any interest in collecting Soviet orders and medals, this is the only book you'll need. Every other reference on this subject I've read isn't even close to this one in detail, information, history and variants. From the earliest days of the revolution to the fall of the USSR, this book has detailed info for them all.

My only complaint is that it's a bit outdated when describing known fakes. For example, for the Order of Nevsky (probably the one medal who's value is increasing the fastest) the author lists no known fakes of sufficient quality to consider. That may have been true then, but not today. I've seen fake Nevsky's that are completely indistinguishable from the real thing, even when compared side-by-side. If it's worth enough money, someone will fake it.

3 people found this helpful

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Enzo Calabresi

The "reference" on Soviet Faleristics

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 1999

The fall of the Iron Curtain allowed the collectors of orders and decorations to buy Soviet "signs of honour" at very reasonable prices (many of us remember what the price of a Red Banner order was in the '70s!). The main problem to collectors was where to obtain informations. Most books were (and still are) written in Russian and the linguistical barrier was another thick "curtain"; more, the defect of Soviet reference books was that any topic was "filtered" through ideology, and who wasn't provided with a big sense of humour wouldn't appreciate them fully. I am one of the lucky ones having no problems at all into reading russian but, when this book was published, I've looked for a copy immediately. All my expectations were fulfilled: this "guide" shows that the authors have a strong background, both historical and social, about the USSR, other than the enthusiasm of the true collectors. After having read it thoroughly, I can say that no "trade secret" was kept, and any useful details and informations were given. Each year, many books on orders and decorations are published, but most are just trying to fill gaps in this branch of the social studies (yes, I can honestly say that phaleristic could really be an aspect of sociology). This book actually fills a gap. It is interesting to know that some collectors from the former Soviet Union already appreciate this work highly. The details about fakes are very interesting, but like any reference about the "problem #1 of collecting", it is outdated in the same moment it comes out of the press. I think that "The Comprehensive Guide", in the future, will be a collection piece itself.

7 people found this helpful

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Jonathan D. Eckel

An invaluable reference

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2000

Having been a collector of Soviet militaria since 1993, I have yet to find a more complete, fact-filled book than this one. No other book, including Russian publications, even comes close. Close up photos, front and back, showing every variant of every Soviet order or medal make this "the" book for collectors. Photos and tips on how to spot fakes are provided throughout, as well.
It's expensive and can be difficult to find, but well worth it.

8 people found this helpful

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Søren Aahauge

Good - but not comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2000

The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals is the bestbook on the market so far, and if you are a collector in this field, I strongly recommend you buy it. It's good - very good actually - but it's not comprehensive. McDaniel and Schmitt try to list all known different types and variations, and this is of course, almost impossible. But it's a start. And it's needed. Furthermore they illustrate their descriptions with very detailed pictures - that's excellent! The only problem with this kind of book is lack of information, but I'm sure they are working on it. Especially their information on fakes needs an update. In all case this is a book to buy...

7 people found this helpful

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william J McClain

Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2002

Being a relative newcomer to collecting Soviet Militaria, but collecting German Militaria for years, I found the book to be the best all around book on medals that I have ever read. This book details in very clear color photographs the intricacies of the medals of the Soviet Union. I would recommend this book strongly for anyone who is interested in Soviet Militaria or even Militaria in general as it is an excellent resource book.

7 people found this helpful

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