Secrets of the Sword

Rating:
Summary: A must for all fencers!
Review: "A sharp point is a peremptory fact, which makes shortwork of illusions." So declares the French nobleman Baron Cesarde Bazancourt, writing in his classic and far too long out of print masterpiece, "Secrets of the Sword," of which I have just pre-ordered three copies. I never thought I would see this book, first published in 1900, in print again. In general, "Secrets of the Sword" presents a sort of Socratic dialogue for our sport, and in doing so, delights the reader with the author's wit, his observations, and his insights. Those who lament the loss in skill, and the increase in violent athleticism, seen in today's comnpetitive fencing will be amused to note that almost a century ago, the same complaints were being voiced. The author examines, with a notably critical eye,the intricacies of fencing -- and duelling, for duels were still occasionally fought in those days. He then refines and simplifies the essence of fencing, and, at last, presents our sport as art, and perhaps even philosophy. Those of us who have dedicated our own lifetimes to fencing will easily follow this transformation, and delight in it. "Secrets of the Sword" begins with the author promising to share his ideas with several of his acquaintances, some veteran fencers, and some never having held a blade in their lives. He claims that he can simplify the terminology, and in so doing, the actions, of fencing, to the betterment of the fencer and his performance on the piste and in actual combat. We then we follow the Baron and his acolytes -- for no better word will serve -- through eleven evenings of instruction, each session with its own gems of wisdom relating to fencing, armed combat in general, and ultimately offering us some lessons -- should we choose to perceive them -- relating to life itself. As the book closes, the Baron offers a summary of his hopes for his students, and for us, his readers: "You have given us most excellent advice," exclaimed the Comte de C. "If one could only think of it all at the critical moment, one would be well provided." "Think of only half of it," I answered, "and you will not do so badly, -- there are so many men who cannot think at all."

Rating:
Summary: All fencing books should be this easy to read...
Review: As a novice fencer, I have seen my share of tomes on the subject. From a historical standpoint, this volume sheds light on a way of life long gone and is incredibly easy to read and VERY difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone whether they be casual reader or experienced swordsman.

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent if dated book on Fencing. Strongly recommended.
Review: I first read this book when studying in Italy on a Erasmus exchange. Up to then I had been a fairly mediaocre fencer, but I came out of that year being a much better swordsman. The first reason was because of the amazing standard of coaching in Italy. And second reason is because of this book. Some people have already made a comparison with the "book of 5 rings" in martial arts and it is easy to see why. This book deals with the "essence" and spirit of fencing, which still can be found even now more in France and Italy than anywhere else. While the technical elements of this book are questionable, the essence is not: Like Bruce Lee said there are three stages in learning any art: Learning the form, Mastering the form,and dissolving the form. This Fencing book is mostly about the the last part: Once you have mastered swordplay it is important to add aspects which are specifically your own, or what Bazancourt terms "the native hue of resolution". He does not advocate slapdash swordplay: On the contrary, the brutal and ill trained swordsman is likely to come off worse against a trained and experienced opponent, as confidence and training is on your side and not his. However Bazancourt does warn against becoming too institutionalised and obsessed with form and complication. After becoming supremely trained one must strike out ones own path. Bazancourt adovocates fighting all manner of opponents and not to sniff at different styles or levels of aggression. Its not enough to be perfectly drilled at fencing - one must "prove" ones superiority. This complemented what I was taught in Italy by an old maestro:
"fai la tua scherma" Do your own fencing.

On the whole I recommend this book not only as a means of striking out on your own style (though hey guys,developing your own style in bouts is not a substitute for good constant practice with your instructor and keeping up those footwork drills!),but also as a nostalgic look at fencing's past, which quirks and eccentricities live only in maybe the memory of some very old europeans and, celebrated still in salles around the world and hinted at in old films and books. It is above all a book of "maxims" or "rules of thumb" and should be treated as such rather than a technical manual. Advanced fencers and begginers will love it. The former because of the wry wisdom in the book, the latter beacause of the romanticism in it.

And last of all I leave this review with a very old Italian fencing proverb:

" Battuta e Botta ditta, mai finta"

which means applied to fencing,beat attack, never feint...but in italian it has a alterior meaning regarding women it means "a quick joke and get stuck in...dont pretend"

Bazancourt would have probably known it!

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Offering from Laureate Press
Review: I have often compared this book, in casual conversation, to Musashi's "Book of Five Rings." Like the latter offering, Bazancourt presents a mixture of philosophy, advice, and technique. Obviously, they are also very different-the one was written in Tokugawa Japan and the other in nineteenth century France-but they are similiar in that they seek to touch not just the accidentals of the practice of swordsmanship, but also the universals. (Or, for those not conversant in Scholastic philosophy, not just the being, but the essense.)

Bazancourt's book is not just informative and useful, but also entertaining and well-written. I'm sure that the French original must be even better!

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Offering from Laureate Press
Review: I have often compared this book, in casual conversation, to Musashi's "Book of Five Rings." Like the latter offering, Bazancourt presents a mixture of philosophy, advice, and technique. Obviously, they are also very different-the one was written in Tokugawa Japan and the other in nineteenth century France-but they are similiar in that they seek to touch not just the accidentals of the practice of swordsmanship, but also the universals. (Or, for those not conversant in Scholastic philosophy, not just the being, but the essense.)

Bazancourt's book is not just informative and useful, but also entertaining and well-written. I'm sure that the French original must be even better!

Rating:
Summary: A LOOK INTO FENCING'S PAST
Review: The Baron de Bazancount wrote an interesting little volume on fencing (nicely illustrated) at the turn of the century, which has now been faithfully reprinted by Laureate Press. I'm not exactly sure I agree with his fencing philosophy in total. Some of his views on training are debateable. He was a bit too much of a generalist in his attempt to "demystify" and "simplify" fencing. He might even have been a bit of a fencing "socialist." Maybe not an anarchist, but he was definitely pushing fencing's classical foundations. So, if you don't take "Secrets of the Sword" as a teaching manual, you'll be fine. Read it as a look into fencing's fascinating past, and you'll be fine. As the author of "The Encyclopedia of the Sword," "The Art and Science of Fencing," and "The Inner Game of Fencing;" and the Editor-in-Chief of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAINE, I recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Offering from Laureate Press
Review: There's been a lengthy review, so I'll keep it short. This book was a pleasure to read, with a casual air that pulls one along. As a beginning fencer, the presentation of a knowledgeable fencer speaking to a non-fencing group, providing a simple (but progressively deeper) overview of the art/sport/skill over a series of evening talks, met my needs wonderfully. Even so, it is clear that some of the topics (this book was written almost 150 years ago) are apparently still being debated in contemporary fencing. This book was a clever and refreshing break from some of the "heavier" fencing literature I have been reading. I would have to believe that the more you know of fencing, the more you will get from this book.

Rating:
Summary: A refreshing read
Review: There's been a lengthy review, so I'll keep it short. This book was a pleasure to read, with a casual air that pulls one along. As a beginning fencer, the presentation of a knowledgeable fencer speaking to a non-fencing group, providing a simple (but progressively deeper) overview of the art/sport/skill over a series of evening talks, met my needs wonderfully. Even so, it is clear that some of the topics (this book was written almost 150 years ago) are apparently still being debated in contemporary fencing. This book was a clever and refreshing break from some of the "heavier" fencing literature I have been reading. I would have to believe that the more you know of fencing, the more you will get from this book.