Stephen N. Fliegel

Having collected a few books about museum armor collections, I was pleasantly suprised with this one. Very well done, chock full of all color photographs, and full of knowledge on the subject. It provides a supprisingly interesting history on the Cleveland Museum of Art and the trouble it went through to acquire it's collection of armor before the grand opening.
There are two things I did not care for in this excellent work though. 1. Along with stunning photography of some of the museum's show more collection, there is a generalized complete history of arms and armor. Now this may be good for the novice on the subject or someone who has been curious for a while and finally picked it up and read it, but I've read at least 20 books on the subject. I know this is nitpicky, and it's not the book's fault, but I just was not expecting to have fight my way through the whole evolution of arms from the spear to the flintlock. 2. Another nitpicky thing: On two occasions, what is clearly pictured to be a bascinet, is referred to as a barbute. Technical nuts, like myself, go crazy.
Very good book, excellent reference, worth whatever you pay for it. show less