Isahakian's Notebooks represent a historical and literary source book, a valuable contemporary record stretching from 1891-1956. In modern Armenian letters it has no equal from either a literary or an intellectual viewpoint. The book also has a broader significance since the poet spent many years in Europeófirst as a student, then as a political exile, an escapee from tsarist persecution. The Notebooks reflect Isahakian's thoughts, philosophies and individual concerns, his concerns for his people as well as society at large. They also provide an honest, invaluable insight into the psychological mood behind many of his works. Will be of interest to students of comparative literature, Slavic studies, and history.
