Just in, a very VERY nice New Year's gift (to myself):
Warren E. Sessler and Paul D. McDaniel, Jr., Military and Civil Awards of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ([Henderson: Sessler Incorporated, 2009]; ISBN 0-615-28482-5).
This book has, almost exactly, the feeling of the venerable "Red Bible" on Soviet awards, the McDaniel and Schmitt opus The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals. This is perhaps not accidental, given that McDaniel is Sessler's co-author. As that book became the standard work on Soviet awards, this book will, almost immediately, fill that role for North Korean awards and, as the first work created Soviet phaleristics in the West, this is likely to do the same for DPRK awards.
All I can say is: WOW! Full 8-1/2 x 11 inch page size, 406 pages, detailed images in full color, pictures of recipients, etc., etc. Drool!
At $125 (plus shipping) it is not a cheap book, but it is a necessary book. Get it from the author at: Sessler Incorporated, PO Box 778426, Henderson, NV, 89077-8426. They seem to have no web presence and this book is not (yet?) on Amazon.com, so this may hurt their sales. It may be that The Familiar NJ Dealer in Soviet Awards will be selling it; we can only hope.
Warren E. Sessler and Paul D. McDaniel, Jr., Military and Civil Awards of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) ([Henderson: Sessler Incorporated, 2009]; ISBN 0-615-28482-5).
This book has, almost exactly, the feeling of the venerable "Red Bible" on Soviet awards, the McDaniel and Schmitt opus The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals. This is perhaps not accidental, given that McDaniel is Sessler's co-author. As that book became the standard work on Soviet awards, this book will, almost immediately, fill that role for North Korean awards and, as the first work created Soviet phaleristics in the West, this is likely to do the same for DPRK awards.
All I can say is: WOW! Full 8-1/2 x 11 inch page size, 406 pages, detailed images in full color, pictures of recipients, etc., etc. Drool!
At $125 (plus shipping) it is not a cheap book, but it is a necessary book. Get it from the author at: Sessler Incorporated, PO Box 778426, Henderson, NV, 89077-8426. They seem to have no web presence and this book is not (yet?) on Amazon.com, so this may hurt their sales. It may be that The Familiar NJ Dealer in Soviet Awards will be selling it; we can only hope.
