Fencing Sword

By the Sword is an epic history of sword fighting - a science, an art, and, for many, a religion that began at the dawn of civilization in ancient Egypt and has been an obsession for mankind ever since. With wit and insight, Richard Cohen gives us an engrossing history of the world via the sword.

“A gentleman had seized the enemy’s guard while holding his own point to the man’s stomach. The enemy brought in his left hand and, grabbing the foible of the gentleman’s sword with a heavy glove, he broke the blade off and plunged the point into the one who had seized his guard, killing him.” And you thought smallswording was dainty! Not even close - this was a matter of settling scores through blood, and Master-of-Arms André Wernesson Liancour had dedicated his life to perfecting his art. While he did make use of the foil for instructional purposes, his teaching was entirely ...

When the 11 lords, preachers, and merchants of Cryssigens need wrongs righted without clues, they look for the stealthic Feldspar to solve their problems. But the legend without a face is hard to find, and when Feldspar takes a commission from the most famous, and beautiful, priestess in the city, he finds problems of his own piling up, and is forced to choose between hope and safety.

When unknown conspirators launch their deadly schemes to overset the city of Cryssigens and trigger civil war, Hope rests on a trio of heroes, none of which fully understands the depth and speed of the approaching menace. As darkness and murder clutch Cryssigens by the throat, the flames of destruction reveal...Shards of Light. This bundle contains all the material from its four component titles: The Ring and the Flag, Fencing Reputation, Perilous Embraces, and Shards of Light.

This is a splendid classic book on stage fencing by a real master - both as military instructor and as a specialist in this special skill adapted to the theatre. Contains as well some fascinating information on the old real-life fencing, the duels, the battles, the famous fencing masters, and schools. Easy to understand, easy to remember, easy to learn.