Most fencing manuals in existence have pretty awful illustrations. But here, Evangelista shoots about par for the course. The diagrams of different fencing parries and movements are crude and not necessarily helpful. Evangelista does a good job of explaining to the uninitiated why fencing has the rules it does and how the modern sport links to the actual dueling of the Renaissance period on. The historical stuff is brief, readable and informative. The graphic layout is pretty good as are the photos. Evangelista's Art and Science of Fencing is one of the better books out there for those who want a servicable introduction to sport fencing. Essential reading for fencing and military history enthusiasts.Sometimes a book is noteworthy simply by virtue of lack of competition regarding the subject matter. 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. Yet, there has never been a comprehensive volume on the subject of the sword until the publication of this encyclopedia. In its varied guises, the sword has for centuries figured in the world's varied cultures, myths, and politics. 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. Today, the art of sword fighting has been incarnated as the dynamic, chess-like sport of fencing. For centuries it was the weapon of choice in settling personal disputes. Historically, the fate of the empires revolved around the sword nations rose and fell based on the power of their swordsmen. 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.
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.
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