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The Encyclopedia of the Sword | 
 enlarge | Author: Nick Evangelista
Publisher: Greenwood Press
Category: Book
List Price: $159.95
Buy New: $127.96
You Save: $31.99 (20%)
New (5) Used (11) from $55.67
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 849652
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 720
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 6.4 x 1.6
ISBN: 0313278962
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8603
EAN: 9780313278969
ASIN: 0313278962
Publication Date: May 30, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 A TOP REFERENCE BOOK ON FENCING! February 19, 2004
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is so full of useful information, you'll be using it for both references and entertainment. It hits on so many topics, I was amazed when I purchased my copy a few years ago. I don't believe there is another book quite like it on the market today. True, it is costly, but it brings together information you'd have to locate in fifty or a hundred separate books. And it is all served up in Nick Evangelista's highly readable style.I can't understand the negative comments about this book, and can only imagine that the reviwers are following their own personal agendas. Nick Evangelista has done a service to both fencing and scholarship by writing "THE ENCYCLPEDIA OF THE SWORD." I recommend this book highly.
 Not exactly... January 16, 2004
2 out of 9 found this review helpful
What a glorious mess. Perhaps it was too ambitious an undertaking. Whatever the reason, this book is so flawed in it's approach and information as to be, essentially, useless. Particularly at a $125 pricepoint.
Useful for SCA members December 14, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Very useful to Society for Creative Anachronism members. It will help give you background on the medieval history of sword fighting, and the associated cultural baggage. Also useful in that it has good coverage of Asian, especially Japanese, sword culture. In case you have a persona with a samurai background, say.Granted, it does not tell you how to perform medieval sword fighting, per se. But the contextual information helps flesh out your understanding and persona.
Worth the bucks! January 3, 2002
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
"The Encyclopedia of the Sword" is probably the most expensive fencing-related book on the market today, but there is no other reference volume that can touch it. It may not be as indepth on some topics as some specialty sword fighting books, but it certainly makes up for that in the amount of varied information it presents. I've seen this book in public libraries. You should have a copy for yourself. Nick Evangelista knows his stuff.
A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK! April 6, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I find myself using "The Encyclopedia of the Sword" all the time. That's probably the mark of a useful reference book, huh? The encyclopedia covers swords from all over the world, movies, art, literature, sport, history, sword fighting techniques, biographies. Sometimes it's just fun to sit down and read it. I recommend "The Encyclopedia of the Sword" to everyone.
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