Recommendation

The first part of the study introduces us the world of these bandits, their society in the former Soviet Republics. This sub-culture will be examined in a wide range of historical and geographical environment, then drawing a specific picture of the Russian underworld, its structure and hierarchy.
We can get to know a reasoning that this underworld with the characteristics of a corporation - with its organizations, leaders, hierarchy, customs and law - is kind of a descendant of medieval Communities of beggars and bandits in Europe incomparable neither to the Mafia, nor to any European or American underworld.

The second part of the study, the Collection of Symbols with its logical structure provides a great understanding of expressions with the finest details deriving from intellectual roots. With lexicographical accuracy it registers and explains the pictures and illustrations as well as words and acronyms of tattoos, convincing and proofing that these works are elements of a thief subculture and thief art as well as pieces of a unique information and code system not explored by scientific tools yet.