Question on Luger Book

eagle7373 · 11-07-2017, 02:11 PM

I have been considering investing in the three-volume Gortz-Sturgess book on Lugers. Problem is, there are two versions of it, and try as I might, I cannot figure out of there is any substantive difference between them.

First, there is "Pistol Parabellum - History of the Luger System" published in April 2010, with 2014 pages in 3 volumes. This book is often available for around $230 or so.

Then, what I think may be the same book, was published by Brad Simpson in 2013 as "The Borchardt Luger and Automatic Pistols." The web site says this is 3 volumes, 1992 pages, 2 DVDs in a slip case. Price is $300 (or $950 if you want the deluxe version).

So clearly one difference is the 2 DVDs. But as for the printed book, it's not clear to me whether the contents are different (the different page count may just be a difference in how some pages, like index, etc., are counted).

Does anyone know for sure whether the Simpson version actually has updated information or is just the same book repackaged with a different title and cover? If I choose to buy the Simpson version for about $70 more, I'd just like to know if there's a difference.

Thanks very much for any help on this.

sheepherder · 11-07-2017, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle7373

I have been considering investing in the three-volume Gortz-Sturgess book on Lugers. Problem is, there are two versions of it, and try as I might, I cannot figure out of there is any substantive difference between them.

The short answer is yes. Here's what I think is the discussion on this, especially on pg 3 -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=29036

More -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=37058

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=32877

Norme · 11-07-2017, 02:30 PM

Hi Glenn,
They are basically the same books (I own both sets). The Simpson edition was re-edited and supposedly contains some new material, but in the 3 years I have owned it I have found only one addition, some photos of the U-Boat ammo box.
If you are a book person, as I am, you will like the older "Green set". It's printed on better paper, has clearer illustrations, and lies flat when you open it. The big plus with the newer "Red set" is the searchable DVD.
Regards, Norm

Ron Wood · 11-07-2017, 02:38 PM

I own both sets also (and am a book person) and agree totally with Norm's comments.
Ron

mrerick · 11-07-2017, 05:45 PM

Remember "The Matrix"... The Red pill and the Blue pill...

Take the "Red" pill. It's organized the way the author wanted it organized.

Then you can enter the Luger Matrix!

eagle7373 · 11-07-2017, 08:33 PM

Thanks to everyone for your quick and thorough responses to my question.

And thanks especially to sheepherder for digging up three old threads on the books that had more info packed into them. I believe I now better understand the unique characteristics of each version. I think the majority of the recommendations favored the red version (Simpson's), so that's where I will probably go.

Now if I could only drop a hint to my wife about a great Christmas gift...

sheepherder · 11-07-2017, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle7373

I think the majority of the recommendations favored the red version (Simpson's), so that's where I will probably go.

Now if I could only drop a hint to my wife about a great Christmas gift...

If you read that first thread, you know you can get the DVD for $35 + $15 S&H (last I checked) by calling Simpson's and ordering it by CC. Simpson's says the DVD has everything that the Red edition does. 1888 pages of PDF files.

The pictures on the DVD are enormous. 2008 [pixels] x 3035 for most of the full-page pics.

Edward Tinker · 11-08-2017, 01:28 AM

I like the layout of the red book better, but either is good.

DonVoigt · 11-08-2017, 10:05 AM

You can have "both", buy the discounted green volumes- they are very nice books as norm says.
Then buy the "red" on cd.

JMHO.

11-07-2017, 02:11 PM	#1
eagle7373 User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 36 Thanks: 57 Thanked 31 Times in 11 Posts	Question on Luger Book I have been considering investing in the three-volume Gortz-Sturgess book on Lugers. Problem is, there are two versions of it, and try as I might, I cannot figure out of there is any substantive difference between them. First, there is "Pistol Parabellum - History of the Luger System" published in April 2010, with 2014 pages in 3 volumes. This book is often available for around $230 or so. Then, what I think may be the same book, was published by Brad Simpson in 2013 as "The Borchardt Luger and Automatic Pistols." The web site says this is 3 volumes, 1992 pages, 2 DVDs in a slip case. Price is $300 (or $950 if you want the deluxe version). So clearly one difference is the 2 DVDs. But as for the printed book, it's not clear to me whether the contents are different (the different page count may just be a difference in how some pages, like index, etc., are counted). Does anyone know for sure whether the Simpson version actually has updated information or is just the same book repackaged with a different title and cover? If I choose to buy the Simpson version for about $70 more, I'd just like to know if there's a difference. Thanks very much for any help on this. __________________ - Glenn

11-07-2017, 02:38 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	I own both sets also (and am a book person) and agree totally with Norm's comments. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-07-2017, 05:45 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Remember "The Matrix"... The Red pill and the Blue pill... Take the "Red" pill. It's organized the way the author wanted it organized. Then you can enter the Luger Matrix! __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-07-2017, 08:33 PM	#6
eagle7373 User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bellevue, Nebraska Posts: 36 Thanks: 57 Thanked 31 Times in 11 Posts	Thanks to everyone for your quick and thorough responses to my question. And thanks especially to sheepherder for digging up three old threads on the books that had more info packed into them. I believe I now better understand the unique characteristics of each version. I think the majority of the recommendations favored the red version (Simpson's), so that's where I will probably go. Now if I could only drop a hint to my wife about a great Christmas gift... __________________ - Glenn

11-08-2017, 10:05 AM	#9
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,442 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	You can have "both", buy the discounted green volumes- they are very nice books as norm says. Then buy the "red" on cd. JMHO. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

11-07-2017, 02:30 PM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Glenn, They are basically the same books (I own both sets). The Simpson edition was re-edited and supposedly contains some new material, but in the 3 years I have owned it I have found only one addition, some photos of the U-Boat ammo box. If you are a book person, as I am, you will like the older "Green set". It's printed on better paper, has clearer illustrations, and lies flat when you open it. The big plus with the newer "Red set" is the searchable DVD. Regards, Norm

11-08-2017, 01:28 AM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	I like the layout of the red book better, but either is good.