Secret Geometries of the Sword In the early years of the 17th century, Girard Thibault -- poet, physician, architect, painter, occultist, and master swordsman, a true Renaissance man -- astonished the courts of Europe with a new system of swordsmanship based on the principles of sacred geometry and Renaissance occult philosophy. In his youth, Thibault studied the art of the sword with the great Dutch fencing master Lambert van Someren, then traveled to southern Spain to learn _destreza_, the revolutionary Spanish system of rapier fencing, from Luis Pacheco de Narvaez and other masters of the art. After his return to the Netherlands around 1610, he won fame as one of the best swordsmen of the age, and set out to put everything he knew about the way of the sword into a single comprehensive textbook of rapier fencing that could be used by students who had no access to a teacher of his system. Originally published in 1630, _Academy of the Sword_ is that textbook -- the most elaborate manual of swordsmanship ever published in any language, packed with hundreds of clearly described and illustrated techniques. Starting with the geometrical foundations of his system, Thibault proceeds step by step to explain effective methods for drawing the sword, entering into measure, subjecting the opponent's blade, countering his attacks and defeating him, whether the contest is a friendly bout or a struggle to the death. He outlines competing systems of swordsmanship used in the Europe of his time, points out their weaknesses and explains how their proponents can be defeated, and he provides methods by which his pupils, armed only with a rapier, could overcome an opponent armed with rapier and dagger, rapier and shield, two-handed sword -- even a musket. Never before available in English, _Academy of the Sword_ has been trans

Product Description: Ridolfo Capo Ferro was a legend in his own lifetime and his intricate and exact instructions were copied and emulated throughout Europe. Illustrated with 43 striking plates, this book gives a very real flavor of the panache of this expert in swordsmanship and mastery of the rapier...read more

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Fencing is the most comprehensive and up-to-date fencing-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of nearly 100 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round fencing-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results. No other fencing book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training.  This book will have fencers increasing agility, strength, balance, and flexibility, which translates into more precision and power in advances, lunges, and recoveries.  Following the programs in this book will also enhance wrist speed and control, reduce the chances of injury, and make you an overall better fencer. Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too! As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20.

Product Description: Written in 1573 by fencing master Henry de Sainct-Didier, this is believed to be the first French sword manual ever written. Noting that he "lived his whole life learning to fight with the single sword," de Sainct-Didier says that his reason for writing this book was to "further serve his king...read more

Product Description: Learn how to play your favorite sport or participate in your favorite activity in this exciting series from Compass Point Books. Each book in the For Fun series features bold, full-color photos, informative text, and all sorts of fun facts about your favorite pastime...read more

Product Description: This book teaches and illustrates the rules of fencing as well as entertains the reader by bringing her into the world of a 14 year old fencer. Written primarily for female athletes between the ages of 12 and 15, En Garde! takes a girl through the steps to becoming a beginning fencer...read more

Providing an introduction to fencing, this book features illustrations and photographs of professionals in action. This book includes information on equipment and clothing, basic movements, scoring, skills, and variations.

Product Description: Guy Windsor, acclaimed author of The Swordsmans' Companion, has at long last penned his work relating to the Italian Rapier based on the work of Capo Ferro. Designed as a practical training manual, the book contains more than 400 illustrations and step-by-step photographs accompanying clear, easy-to-follow text...read more

Product Description: Prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics, few Canadians - outside fencing circles - knew very much about Sherraine MacKay, but as the countdown to those games began, her name became more and more familiar, and while the world of fencing had been, up to that time, an esoteric sport at best, it too was suddenly thrust into the limelight...read more

Book by Simonian, Charles

A vivid history of swordfighting ranges from ancient times to the present day, profiling such great swordsfighters as Ignatius Loyola, Napoleon, Shakespeare, Karl Marx, Grace Kelly, Harry Truman, George Patton, Errol Flynn, and Basil Rathbone while exploring the cultural and social implications of fencing. Reprint. 30,000 first printing.

Product Description: The project of the Swordplay Symposium International (SSI), this long-anticipated anthology of articles captures not only the cutting edge of scholarship relating to study of historical fighting trea-tises and techniques, but also stands as a paean to one of the sword communities greatest lights, Ewart Oakeshott...read more

Product Description: For the first time, a color fascimile and translation will be available from this important 15th century master of late Italian Medieval swordsmanship. Master Fillipo Vadi's work, previously overlooked and underestimated by fencing scholars, presents the student of historical swordsmanship or of miltiary history a fresh, stunningly beautiful look into the mind of an Italian fencing master...read more