An essential reference work for all oriental rug scholars, collectors, dealers, and Islamic art historians, this is the first comprehensive bibliography written in English on the oriental rug and carpet literature, beginning with the first publication on oriental rugs in 1877 and including all known publications in any language published through 1992. O'Bannon has attempted to identify all single publications, including reprints of articles from journals and periodicals on this topic—2,875 separate entries in all.

The bibliography is divided into three major categories: Carpets; Islamic Arts and Textiles; and Maintenance, Care, and Related Books, with general and geographic subdivisions. Related topics include wool, dyeing, looms, technical aspects of weaving, and the history of oriental carpets.

Numbered for easy reference, entries are listed alphabetically by author and include standard bibliographic information and brief annotations. Titles of non-English language publications are transliterated into English. There are several cross references to geographic areas, tribal weavings, exhibitions, basic reference works, and private and public collections of oriental rugs.