|
|
|
|
 |
 |
The Encyclopedia of the Sword
You have found The Encyclopedia of the Sword
one of the thousands of books about antiques
at Antique Book Store. We hope that by offering you a tremendous selection of the
books about antiques that you want at incredible prices, you will be back the next time you need anything from Antique Book Store.
We greatly appreciate your patronage and look forward to
servicing you again.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
You Are Here: Books About Antiques > Collector Encyclopedias > Item 471 of 556
|
|
|
 |
|
| List Price: |
|
$159.95 |
|
| Our Price: |
|
$127.96
|
|
| Customer Rating: |
|
|
Available from Amazon
Price Last Updated : 7-30-2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Features
Hardcover: 720 pages
Publisher: Greenwood Press May 30, 1995
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0313278962
ISBN-13: 978-0313278969
Product Dimensions:
9.6 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
Product Review
serves as both a glossary of fencing terms and a repository of facts concerning actors and films in which sword-play is prominent. Equal time is given to historical, mythical, and Japanese swordsmanship, so that this can be used as a literary reference as well as a sportsman's guide.College & Research Libraries News
this encyclopedia is a most welcome addition to the field. This book should prove useful, and it is recommended for the reference collection of academic and large public libraries.RQ
In regard to 20th-century fencing and the Anglo-American tradition, it is the best and most comprehensive reference book published thus far. It is the first to systematically devote space to cover swordplay in the movies, television, plup fiction, and comic books. The Encyclopedia also provides a refreshingly global perspective, uniting Western and Asian traditions, particularly in regard to Kendo and the related Japanese traditions. It provides answers for nearly all questions regarding the sword and its use in history, as well as starting points for much-needed critical investigation into modern fencing mythology.Hammesterz Forum
The Encyclopedia of the Sword is the first comprehensive treatment of the weapon that has played a key role in human history. Evangelista has assembled a massive amount of information about virtually every artistic, cultural, historical, literary, popular, and symbolic aspect of the sword at all times and in all countries. This will truly serve as the definitive text on the subject for many years to come. Libraries of all kind should concider this as a valuable addition to their social historical collections and not simply as another weapons book with limited value.ARBA
Evangelista has succeeded admirably in achieving his aim of bringing "all aspects of sword knowledge under one roof.European Studies Journal
Product Description
From the gruff, sword-toting swashbucklers of the Middle Ages to modern adventure epics like The Princess Bride, the aura surrounding the sword is one that is both romantic and pragmatic. Thoughts of this weapon bring to mind images of the Knights of the Round Table, Zorro, the Three Musketeers--the things daydreams are made of. Historically, the fate of the empires revolved around the sword; nations rose and fell based on the power of their swordsmen. For centuries it was the weapon of choice in settling personal disputes. Today, the art of sword fighting has been incarnated as the dynamic, chess-like sport of fencing. It has also played an important part in the history of theatre and film, and it has been part of literature for as long as there have been books. In its varied guises, the sword has for centuries figured in the world's varied cultures, myths, and politics. Yet, there has never been a comprehensive volume on the subject of the sword until the publication of this encyclopedia. For the first time, in a single volume one can locate information on the history of sword types and styles around the world; techniques of combat sword use; techniques and styles of modern sport fencing; names and descriptions of various fencing implements and weapon types; swashbuckler films and the fencing masters who influenced the genre; significant individuals who have taught sword use; the sword at the Olympics; the literature in which the rapier, foil, or broadsword has figured; and much, much more. Essential reading for fencing and military history enthusiasts.
Reader Reviews
This book contains a voluminous amount of interesting information on sword history and fencing. It is also teeming rather horrendously with misconceptions, familiar myths, historical inaccuracies, and pure fiction. The author only used the barest references as his sources, some terribly outdated to the 1920's! He even omitted the major recent works of world experts and it really shows. Throughout, the author's point of view is exclusively that of a modern instructor of sport fencing who is enthralled with choreographed Hollywood swordplay. His inexperience with medieval fighting manuals and with medieval swords in general shows clearly. In this way it distorts much of what would be useful to today's sword enthusiasts and students of historical medieval & renaissance swordsmanship. The amount of irrelevant material included is matched only by the amount of relevant material that was left out, especially on medieval German and Italian sources, and renaissance English ones. The work excludes several major categories of European sword forms and blade types while seeming to come up with altogether new ones. Also, the entries on Japanese swords and swords arts (as well as those on Chinese) are erroneous and insultingly simplistic. If you can afford to, get the book just to serve as a bad example of biased research. Otherwise, you'd be a lot better off to start your own library of primary sources rather than paying $75 for this. John Clements Author, Swordsman HACA Director Houston
Comment | Permalink |
(Report this)
Back To Top
|
The Encyclopedia of the Sword
by Nick Evangelista
List Price: $159.95
Available from Amazon
Price: $127.96
on 7-30-2008
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
