Product Description
The best fencing autobiography since Nadi s, with inspiration and instruction for every fencer a perfect gift for young fencers and an important story for coaches. A great champion tells his story and teaches his secrets (and you can learn from his mistakes as well!) This is the story of Golubitsky's difficult rise to the top, his triumphs and mistakes, and the lessons he learned from them. Sergei tells of his early days inside the old Sovietsports machine,the breakup of the USSR, and his emergence into the new world of international fencing.This is an inspiring story of desire and persistence, frustration and triumph. Plus, it s packed with practical tips for fencing and training. Numerous photos. $27.95. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book. Inspiring.
I'm a French amateur epeeist and read this book last summer. I found it quite inspiring. It's more about the courage, spirit and hard work of a top-level fencer than technique, which makes it all the more enjoyable. For technical details about foil fighting or fencing in general, one can read other great books. You'll find the numerous anecdotes about refereeing, doping and "sold" bouts and the exploration of the USSR sport machinery very enriching. Furthermore, the fencing world described by Golubitsky is a modern one (he fenced mostly in the 90's and is now a trainer), which makes the book a must-read for every fencer, whether he or she is a foilist, an epeeist or a sabreur, since no specific details about foil are given (or hardly any). Long live our beautiful sport !

A Very Honest Book
Sergei Golubitsky gives an incredibly interesting and honest account of his rise to the top of the sport of fencing.He recounts triumphs and disappointments with frankly and with the aim of sharing his mistakes with aspiring fencers so they do not make the same ones. This is highly enjoyable reading for any fencer who will identify with his struggles and triumphs but would also be valuable for any athlete. ... Read more

Product Description
The School of Fencing is essential reading for any historical swordfighter or student of martial arts or military history as it allows the reader to access the knowledge of one of the masters of the art. The book is also sure to give the modern fencer new insights into technique and a greater appreciation of the history of this exciting art. This new edition is completely annotated by Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez, who is currently the foremost expert in French smallsword. Her additions to this edition help clarify Domenico Angelo's text for the modern reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

One of the premier fencing texts
In 1763, Domenico Angelo penned the definative text on the combative use of the smallsword.The work is specialized, it is only about the use of a thrusting (point only) sword with a blade of 30 to 35 inches (75 to 88cm) in length.The work is dated, inhabitants of the soi-disant civilized world allowed themselves to be disarmed about 150 years ago, and this style of sword was the last type to be routinely worn by civilians.Given this, the book is only of interest to historians, classical fencers, sport fencers looking for their roots, and other martial artists interested in expanding their repetoire.But it is of great interest to these groups.

Mr. Jared Kirby and Ms. Jeannette Acosta-Martinez outdid themselves.They offered commentary and additional information that compliments Angelo, while restraining the editorial urge and leaving the original work complete and untampered with.Outstanding job!

Angelo wrote a thorough text on all aspects of the use of this arm, at the height of the development of the technique of combat with the small sword.A modern example of the sword being discussed is the Cold Steel Small Sword.Every thing that is required is covered, while there is no material that was not of use in the time it was written.Of special contemporary interest, particularly to martial artists, is the section on disarming.The illustrations make the leverage and other aspects of the sword disarms very clear.

The smallsword is a superior arm, but not an egalitarian one.In close combat, it is without peer, but it take hundreds of hours of diligent practice to gain even a basic competence.Angelo will aid anyone pursuing mastery of the arm.

A great work, reprinted by brilliant fencers with a keen appreciation for the timeless.An absolute must have for the classical fencer or foilist.And for the modern naysayers who denigrate the utility of this work, note well; Aldo Nadi points that if you can fence, you can fence with anything, even a broomstick...

E. M. Van Court

An Excellent Read for Any Fencer
This reprint of the 1971 Land's End Press work is a good, clean copy of the 1787 work. The Land's End Press copy is rare and difficult to find, usually coming in at or above $70. Now we have a chance to purchase, relatively inexpensively, this volume again. Angelo's work is an excellent source for the study of fencing, and it is important that it has been made available to the community once again.
This importance notwithstanding, the annotation by Maestro Jeannette-Acosta Martinez elucidates the work in a manner that makes it indispensible to the serious fencer.
The 1971 Lands End Press copy sits on my shelf. This is the copy I now study!

A splendid addition to the swordsman's library
Ten years ago the number of books on historical fencing systems could be counted on one hand. Now we have an embarrassment of riches. However, in the revival of interest in older styles of fencing, the 18th and 19th centuries have tended to be overlooked. In particular, the civilian weapon of the 18th century, the smallsword has been overlooked by people who desire something more recogniseably unlike modern fencing.

Domenico Angelo's School of Fencing, a treatise on French smallsword play, was first published in 1763 and remained popular for over fifty years. In this reprint, Editor Jared Kirby has wisely let Angelo do the majority of the talking, choosing only to add a short and informative introduction, two appendices (parts of the sword and a clarification of technical details omitted by Angelo (but not by contemporary authors)), and finally a series of informative notes by Jeannette Acosta Martinez, one of the foremost researchers into the techniques of the smallsword. The bulk of the book is a faithful reprint of Angelo's treatise, with clear plates and text.

For anyone interested in the smallsword in particular or the history of fencing in general, this well presented book is a must have.

Stephen Hand
Author, English Swordsmanship, Medieval Sword and Shield
Editor, Spada, Spada II

A worthy edition
Angelo's smallsword text is one of the foundational texts of Western fencing. Jared Kirby provides a clear edition, with insightful commentary by Jeannette Acosta-Martinez. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
Zbigniew Czajkowski,the world-famous coach who has produced world champions and Olympic gold medalistsin all three weaponshas finally distilled his teachings in English! An in-depth look at the coach s work: basic theory, fencing psychology, how to conduct lessons at every level, how to prepare for top-level competitions and what to do at them...and so much more.It s all presented with the wit, charm, and depth for which Professor Czajkowski is known around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fencing Coaches' Manual
This is a very in-depth look into fencing terminology, actions, and the teaching/coaching of fencing. It is not a light, easy read. I read the book during a week+ coaching clinic with Professor Czajkowski, and I've gone back to it over and over again as I've developed my own program, fencers, and assistant coaches. Absorbing the simple concepts he spells out and expounds on have had profound effects on my teaching and coaching abilities. Some of the highlights for me were:

"Motivation and Arousal in Fencing" - understanding the importance of emotional equilibrium in fencing, and helping the fencer become aware of it, and how to maintain it

"Types of Fencers: Warriors and Technicians" - understanding the personality types of fencers, and how to use the fencer's personality to help him develop and achieve

The book discusses some of the science of physical education - helping the fencing coach look beyond the bladework and footwork and see what is going on underneath the hood (so to speak) with the fencer - how does the fencer formulate his mental and physical reactions? How can the coach enhance/develop/focus those reactions and decision trees? In addition to higher-level physical education material is the nitty-gritty of the individual lesson (3 whole chapters just to that) and developing the training plan for one's athletes.

This is not a light "learn how to teach fencing" manual, but is a necessary read for anyone that wants to get beyond light, recreational teaching of fencing and become a serious professional. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An important read. Not for learning fencing
This is a tough read, but worth it for the insights into the early seventeenth century masters. Don't expect to learn how to fence from reading this book. It is tough enough to learn a physical skill from a book. Tougher still without pictures. But this would be like learning how to fight by reading Shakespeare. Pay attention to the concepts and patterns of thought exposed. Leave the technical analysis to the experts.

BTW, if you are interested in the scholarly aspects of reconstructing historical martial arts I would expect that this would be a good place for an English speaker to start. If you already know German or Italian there are some potentially more accessible works in those languages.

Three Elizabethan Fencing Manuals
This book is wonderful on so amy levels.First of all, it is a wonderful reference for fencers to see where it all began.It is also a wondeful book of you have a desire to read and want to be able to speak and understand old ELizabethan English.There are also many wonderful woodcuts showing costuming of the period. It is a great book to have in ones library.

THIS is what stage combat tries to be and fails.
This is not a modern re-telling or history book.It's not even re-typed -just a facsimile reprint of three fencing manuals of the Renaissance.Ifyou want to know how it was really done, this is the place.It'sreal.

But don't assume you'll have an easy read.Saviolo is not writingin his native language, and it shows.He doesn't describe motions verywell, and occasionally appears to leave out a foot move in a long sequence. Di Grassi never wrote in English.This manual is a sixteenth centuryEnglish translation of his Italian manual.People who deride the"negative campaigning" of today will get quite a surprise whenthey read Silver's virulent contempt for the rapier and the foreigners whoteach it.

There is also the language issue.Yes, it's written inEnglish, but sixteenth century English doesn't always mean what you thinkit does.Saviolo tells you to come on guard with your right wrist againstyour knee, your right foot against your opponent's right foot, and yourpoint against his face.Obviously, something has been lost in fourcenturies.In this case, it's the fact that "against" meant"opposite or across from", not "touching".You are nowarmed against one problem, but it's still not the language you think it is. (Hint: an Oxford English Dictionary is a very useful companionvolume.)

Also, don't assume you can do this in modern fencing.Theblades were longer and heavier, and they don't work like modern fencingweapons.Furthermore, these are very basic lessons.We know that theadvanced moves were jealously guarded, and not written in books.

With allthe difficulties, this book remains essential - it's a direct link to thefighting methods of the Elizabethan fencers.Di Grassi is the easiest tofollow.Saviolo is particularly helpful for research, because he spendssome time explaining why he does things differently form others, therebydocumenting both styles and explaining the thinking process of fencingmasters.Silver prefers the short sword to the rapier, and shows us thatthe Renaissance held many different views.

This books stands alone --there is just no commercially available substitute.

Your stage combatwill look better, your re-enactments will be more real, your understandingof the sword will be sharper.

A very important reference on fencing history
This book is a facsimile of three fencing manuals of the XVI centurycovering two major traditions: the rapier techniques, mainly italian butalso used in Spain and Portugal at the time; and the short-swordtechniques, probably british in origin.

The time in which these manualswere published was crucial: there was a gradual transition from themedieval sword techniques to the renaissance rapier ones. At the time (andlong afterwards) the french schools of fencing were not existent and themain flow was latin: two of the manuals were written by italians and theswords used in latin countries were rapidly evolving from medieval swordtowards the rapier. Those were times of frequent wars and of deadly clashesinvolving different cultures and ways of fighting. Very different from thelater "civilized" duels between long-haired make-uped"gentlemen" which originated the french schools of fencing fromwhich our childish fencing appeared.

This work is the real thing! Itshows the experience of three sword masters, in a time where expertise wasgained by fighting often and staying alive doing it, and mastery wasachieved by recognition from a world where everyone was a swordsman readyto challenge such a person just to get fame.

Forget for a moment modernsword-"play" and read this book about real swordsmanship! ... Read more

Product Description
What is fencing?Is it safe? How do you learn this sport?

These and many other questions answered in this 25 page book from Fencing.Net.We took all of the questions that parents usually ask about fencing and provide concise, easily understood answers to the top questions asked by concerned parents.

Read through the Parent's Guide to Fencing to learn more about the sport and find out why it's not only extremely safe and fun, but a great way to build character and self discipline. ... Read more

Product Description
The Art of Fencing
64 pages

DEDICATION.
PREFACE.
CHAP. I. Of chusing and mounting a Blade.CHAP. II. Of Guard.
CHAP. III. Of Pushing Quart.
CHAP. IV. Of the Parade of Quart.
CHAP. V. Of pushing Tierce without, or on the Outside of the Sword.
CHAP. VI. Of pushing Seconde.
CHAP. VII. The Parades of Seconde.
CHAP. VIII. Of Quart under the Wrist.
CHAP. IX. Of Flanconnade.
CHAP. X. Of Parades.
CHAP. XI. Of the demarches, or manner of advancing and retiring.
CHAP. XII. Of Disengagements.
CHAP. XIII. Of Feints.
CHAP. XIV. Of cutting over the Point of the Sword.
CHAP. XV. Of the Reprise, or redoubled Thrust.
CHAP. XVI. Of passing Quarte within the Sword.
CHAP. XVII. Of passing Quarte within the Sword.
CHAP. XVIII. Of Joining or seizing the Sword.
CHAP. XIX. Of engaging in Quarte in a midling Guard.
CHAP. XX. Of engaging in Tierce in the Midling Guard.
CHAP. XXI. Of several Guards, and the Manner of attacking them.
CHAP. XXII. Of Left-handed Men.
CHAP. XXIII. Of the Parade of the Hand.
CHAP. XXIV. Of the beat of the Foot, in closing the measure, or in the same place.
CHAP. XXV. Of the Good Effects of a nice Discernment of the Eye.
CHAP. XXVI. Of Time.
CHAP. XXVII. Of Swiftness.
CHAP. XXVIII. Of Measure.
CHAP. XXIX. Of the Necessity of some Qualities in a Master.
CHAP. XXX. Rules for pushing and parrying at the Wall, and for making an Assault.
CHAP. XXXI. Against several erroneous Opinions. ... Read more

Product Description
The first botanical gardens were set up to gather the world’s plants and recreate a Garden of Eden. Using the Eden Project as a springboard, Richard Mabey explores the myth of the Garden of Eden. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1898.This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Good advice interspersed with not so good advice.
For the most part the book is easy to follow and entertaining, but not terribly thorough and EXTREMELY TENDENCIOUS (some very questionable stuff is said with great aplomb). There is a decent section on footwork for the beginner-to-intermediate and some interesting tactical advice. The sabre section is nearly 10 years out of date (fleche and all). Don't buy this if you are planning to be in the next Olympics, but if you are a recreational fencer with a little bit of experience have a look.

Much poor advice.
There are too many good fencing books on the market to waist your time andmoney on this one.Although an experienced fencer could get some usefulinformation, it is riddled with too much misinformation and poor advice tomake it useful to the beginner. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The art of writing a fencing book
This is a highly recommendable book with good explanation of the techniques of this magnifique sport. The pictures are a little "oldisch" but show good skills and there is just enough text on the pages to be able to read and to practice at the same time. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A foreshadowing of Hutton's better works
Written in 1882, before Cold Steel: The Art of Fencing with the Sabre, 1889, and Swordsman: A Manual Of Fence And The Defence Against An Uncivilised Enemy, 1898, Bayonet-Fencing and Sword-Practice appears to be a first stab at writing by Hutton. Cold Steel was about 200 pages, Swordsman was over 120 pages, this volume is about 40 pages. This work is a brief (extremely) discussion of bayonet fighting and sword fighting.

The instruction isn't bad, but incomplete. With sword, only the most basic movements, cut, parry, and feint, are covered. Footwork isn't addressed at all. The thoughts that shaped the later works are taking shape here, but are not yet fully formed. With bayonet, the pattern is similar, although this section is interesting as the bayonet training was heavily influenced by sword fencing, and is based on quarte and sixte rather than the more direct and less subtle techniques intructed today.

Pass on this one unless you're a die-hard Hutton fan, and even then, consider this in context rather than as a stand-alone text. Cold Steel is far superior for sabre technique and instruction, and Swordsman is much better for foil and bayonet.

E.M. Van Court ... Read more

Product Description
This report was created for strategic planners, international marketing executives and export managers whose primary concern is the world market for iron or steel barbed wire and twisted hoop or single flat wire loosely twisted double wire used for fencing. With the globalization of this market, managers can no longer be contented with a local view. Nor can managers be contented with out-of-date statistics that appear several years after the fact. I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for iron or steel barbed wire and twisted hoop or single flat wire loosely twisted double wire used for fencing for those firms serving the world via exports and foreign direct investment. It does so for the current year based on a variety of key historical indicators and econometric models.

In what follows, this report begins by summarizing the world market for iron or steel barbed wire and twisted hoop or single flat wire loosely twisted double wire used for fencing exports. The total level of exports on a worldwide basis is based on a model that aggregates across over 150 key country markets and projects these to the current year. From there, each country represents a percent of the world market. This market is served from a number of competitive countries of origin. Based on supply-side dynamics, market shares by country of origin are then calculated across each country market. These shares lead to a volume of export values for each country and are aggregated to regional and world totals. In doing so, we are able to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of both the value of each supplier and the destinations (countries served by the supplier country). From these figures, world rankings are calculated. In this way, all the figures provided in this report are forecasts that can be combined with internal information for strategic planning purposes. ... Read more

Product Description
A fully illustrated introduction to the traditional art of Japanese fencing--its essential nature and its basic techniques. The first book in English to describe and analyze this famous sport. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

A great introductory guide to learning about Kendo.
This was the first book I ever purchased on the Kendo.At that time this book was the only text in English on this sword art. Now there are numerous excellent books on Kendo. From my own experience studying Kendo, this book really helped to clarify some important points in this wonderful martial art.The material covered is clear and highly informative.It explains how Kendo began, how it developed into an art, the role of the Bushi and bushido, the refinement of Kendo, the equipment and basic rules of the sport.This fully illustrated text shows the various sparring techniques and practice sessions involved in the art of Kendo.It only hints at the work it takes to achieve any level of skill.I can tell you that it is a very grueling and exhausting sport.I wished I would have been younger when I began my training in Kendo.In conclusion, this is a great basic guide when combined with actual hands-on training in Kendo with an instructor(Sensei).Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Samurai Aerobics: The Kendo/Kenjustu workout, Tanto-Jutsu Manual, Wakizashi-Jutsu Manual, Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques, Martial Art Myths).

The sport of Kendo
This is a good book if you are interested in the "sport" of fighting with shinai.If your are more interested in the "art" of Japanese sword fighting; I would go with "Flashing Steel" or a book on Kenjutsu.

Enlightening
Being a new kendo enthusiast I found this book very good in presenting all the basic information. Excellent history backgrounder too, how kendo developed and what it means in Japan. Precise information on all major aspects, such as equipment, etiquette, forms and practice.

Excelent
Outstanding book, both for advanced kendoists and begginers. Pay close attention to everything those two authors and masters kendoists have written and you'll not regret.

on my second copy.. .
nothing can replace dojo when it comes to learning kendo, however, this book provides good over view about kendo. i do have number of different kendo books in my collection at this point.. however, this was my first book in english on kendo, and i still find it endearing. ... Read more

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