This outstanding work is a comprehensive study and presentation of a very specific area that until now had very little coverage. Unlike the other publications dealing with broad spectrum of awards and badges by the White Movement, this book is specifically about the awards that had existed prior to the Revolution and continued during the Civil War. Most important of them is undoubtedly the St. George Cross; its privately made variations of 1917-1922 period are covered here in great detail, with excellent close-up photos and, for the first time, comprehensive classification.

In addition to the types and variations of awards themselves the book also sheds light on underlying legislation, procedure of awarding the recipient, and shows copies of original documents signed by commanding officers of the White Army. Of great interest is the 23-page long chapter tying the serial number of the Civil War St. George Crosses and Bravery Medals with the date and place of issue.

(It should be noted that the second book in this series, "Awards and Badges of the White Armies and Governments of the Russian Civil War, 1917-1922, is finally available. Together, both volumes combine to give historians and collectors the most complete record of the complex and frequently misunderstood award systems employed by the various White Armies in the Russian Civil War era.)

A fascinating book for a connoisseur, highly recommended!