Armenia Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages

The book is largely praised for being interesting, visually appealing, and of high quality, often compared to a museum gift shop catalog. Reviewers appreciated the detailed descriptions provided for each artifact, covering aspects like its nature, what it portrays, its creation method, and where it was discovered. It is considered a good overall survey of its subject matter.

However, some readers noted that the book lacks a traditional narrative or "story," functioning more as a collection of individual artifacts. There were observations about the editorial choices, particularly regarding the variety of art presented; some found a disproportionate focus on stonework and stone sculpture, as well as a high percentage of bibles or gospel books, with less illuminated art than desired. Additionally, the writing was sometimes deemed hard to follow due to the introduction of numerous historical figures without adequate background, and the quality of contributions from different authors varied.

In conclusion, this book serves as a good survey for those interested in a detailed, artifact-focused presentation, akin to a museum exhibition catalog. It would appeal most to readers who appreciate in-depth descriptions of individual items, particularly those with an interest in stone sculpture or specific historical religious texts. However, readers seeking a broad range of art forms, a continuous historical narrative, or extensive background on historical figures might find its approach less satisfying.