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In The Club Dumas, Arturo Pérez-Reverte explored thelabyrinthine world of antiquarian book dealers, spicing his tale of mystery and murder with characters straight out of Paradise Lost and The Three Musketeers. Next came The Flanders Panel, a brilliant puzzlecomprised of art, chess, and untimely death whose resolution lies in a painting by a Flemish master. InThe Seville Communion, Pérez-Reverte turned his sights on the tangled politics of the Roman Catholic Church as an appropriate backdrop--for murder. In his fourth novel translated into English, the Spanish writer changes centuries (if not his focus on homicide), returning to the mid-1800s to follow the exploits of Don Jaime Astarloa, the eponymous fencing master.

The year is 1866 and revolution is brewing in Spain. The corrupt Bourbon queen, Isabella II, is slowly losing her grip on power as equally corrupt exiled politicians vie to be her successor in a new republic. Against this background of political upheaval, Don Jaime goes about his business, teaching a dying art to a dwindling number of students. This is a man who resists changing times; to a friend he explains, "I have spent my whole life trying to preserve a certain idea of myself, and that is all. You have to cling to a set of values that do not depreciate with time. Everything else is the fashion of the moment, fleeting, mutable. In a word, nonsense." But then Adela de Otero--a woman with a mysterious past and an amazing talent for swordplay--comes into his life, and Don Jaime's worldis turned upside down. As always, Pérez-Reverte offers literary excellence, a thumpinggood mystery, and fascinating insight into an arcane practice, in this case, fencing. Though the 19th-century politics in the book may resonate more with a Spanish audience than with English readers, the moral at the heart of The Fencing Master is universal: "to be honest, or at least honorable--anything, indeed, that has its roots in the word honor." In this, Don Jaime and Arturo Pérez-Reverte both succeed. --Alix WilberBook Description

Customer Reviews (94)

My favorite novel from this author
The Fencing Master is, without a doubt, my favorite work by Arturo Perez-Reverte.

You don't have to be at all familiar with fencing to enjoy this book. The book is masterful in terms of prose. Beautiful writing (kudos to the person who translated it from the original Spanish), sensuous and intriguing settings, characters so real they could walk off the page...the book is just amazing. Don Jaime (the fencing master) is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever read. You really will get sucked into the world of late 19th century Madrid.

The mystery is intriguing. The ending is nothing short of shocking yet satisfying. This is one of those elegant books that just stay with you for a long time after you finish it. Highly recommended.

Spanish Swordsman Saves Self, Skewers Sexpot
Ascetic and as otherwordly as Zatoichi or a samurai played by Mifune Toshiro, Don Jaime Astarloa inhabits a narrow world of fencing and honor, remote from the corrupt, crumbling society of 1860s Spain around him.Nevertheless, the aging maestro, who adheres to a code of honor and behavior that seems to be totally out of date, is plunged into a world of intrigue and spies, assassins and purloined letters after a visit from a mysterious young woman.She persuades the reluctant "men only" fencing teacher to take her on as his fencing student.She turns out to be extremely competent and wins his (platonic)love.He introduces her to another of his pupils, a philandering marquis.She becomes that gad-about's lover and disappears.One day, the marquis turns up dead of a sword thrust through the jugular vein.That's when this thriller really gets into high gear.The plot takes a few twists and turns before the final denouement, which of course is a duel.

The book is populated by a set of believable characters in 19th century Madrid, living in a well-described atmosphere of plot, rumors of coups and coups as Spain tried to shrug off its age-old absolute monarchy and strong man rule to emerge into the age of democracy that was sweeping the rest of Europe.The minor characters argue the politics of the day very well.If you get confused, that's because those were confusing times !At first, the book drags a bit.I was wondering where the "suspense" advertised on the cover had gone.But persevere, this is a well-written thriller which will keep you turning the pages right to the last one even if there are far too many unexplained fencing terms for at least one reader.As literature on the world stage, this is a three star book, though the writing style is quite stylish.That's why I've given it three.But as a thriller in the smaller world of thrillers, I'd venture to say it deserves five stars.If you're a fan of that genre--I'm not really---then you'll definitely like THE FENCING MASTER. Myself, I prefer novels that don't resemble Clint Eastwood movies or samurai films.

Fencing Master, NOT Zoro, for Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas
As I was reading the book I thought that the actors from the first Zoro movie would be a great fit for the characters in this book. Enough of that though. I have to say I am a fan of historical fiction, but am not very interested in fencing nor the time period in which this book was set. However, Perez-Reverte made it all very intriguing and entertaining for me through the characters. Do not shy away from the book if the subject matter seems foreign, the emotions, thoughts, and great writing bring it all home. I would have liked to see more interplay given between Luis De Ayala and Adela, but otherwise found little to fault. It is a good change to see the hero, Don Jaime, depicted as a loner a minority that have gotten a rough time of it lately. I would suggest readers look for small thumbnail sketches on the political figures referenced like Prim and Navarez to get a better understanding of the events described in the book. All in all a very enjoyable read, but a notch below Perez-Reverte's The Flanders Panel and Club Dumas.

Beautiful Ending
The writing and the story are very, very good -- definately better than the Flanders Panel and slightly ahead of the Seville Communion, but it's the ending of this book that shows a master's command of the story. Weeks after reading this novel, I still cannot get the final scene out of my mind; simply perfect. Frankly, if you are new to Perez-Reverte, this is probably the novel that I'd recommend first.

J. Avellanet, Co-Founder of Cerulean Associates LLC

Enjoyable
All things considered, an entertaining read. I learned a lot about classical fencing and the court intrigue in Spain in the 1860s. The titular hero is nicely imagined, as is his beautiful nemesis. The writing is a bit stylistically flat in places and the character descriptions seem too clumsy for a novelist of Perez-Reverte's credentials. The novel is hard to put down once the intrigue gets rolling; I just wish it hadn't taken nearly 2/5's of the book to happen. I think P-R's other works are better, but I still enjoyed the book. ... Read more

Book Description
Learn the highly technical sport of fencing, in nine challenging and fun steps! Fencing: Steps to Success covers all of the essential skills of the epee and foil forms of the sport. The book is a perfect how-to guide for beginning and developing fencers, and a valuable reference for instructors.

Author Elaine Cheris shares the expertise that has made her one of the most prolific fencers and fencing instructors in the United States. In each progressive step, she explains the importance of a major skill, presents sequential illustrations to show you how to perform the skill, and then provides a series of drills to refine and master the skill.

Cheris has instructed many elite international competitors, as well as pop music star Jimmy Buffett. In Fencing: Steps to Success, you can receive your own personal lessons and start fencing the right way, right away.

This book is part of the highly popular Steps to Success Activity Series, which now has more than 1 million copies in print! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Fencing
I purchased this book as a gift for my son. He was very pleased. He said that it contained all the information that he had hoped for, but didn't receive, when he purchased a different book.

A very good book for beginning and intermediate fencing students
I came across this book as part of the USFCA (United States Fencing Coaches Association) reading list in preparation for taking my Moniteur certification.After reading it, I've made a number of changes in my Introductory classes and list this book as the recommended text.Like any such text, there are points I disagree with, but they are few in number.

Without hesitation, I would recommend this book for any first year fencer.

J Farmer
Coach, Oak Ridge Fencers Club

Suggested by our Coach
After returning from Nationals, our Coach recommended this book to the fencers at our club looking to improve our overall performance next year. Although coming back with a 2nd in Sabre isn't too shabby! I bought 2 copies, one for my son who is going into his 3rd year of fencing and 1 for myself, a beginning fencer. We are both finding it very useful. My son likes the review of the basics and we both like the drills in each section.
I would suggest this book to any fencer looking to perfect form and skill. I think experienced fencers even need a look back to the basics sometimes. The only reason I gave it 4 stars out of 5 was because I had a hard time giving 5 stars to a book that makes me break out a sweat!

L

An excellent investment
Another classic.Good pictures and easy to understand text.Full of drills to perform alone or with another person.Quite simply one of the best American texts available.

A great source of information
We use this as a textbook for our beginner fencers. The illustrations are very clear, with multiple viewpoints, and the directions are very clear. It also is great for my assistant instructors to use for the tips on what to look for when a fencer is doing something wrong! A great book! I reccommend it for all the salles! ... Read more

Product Description
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 over 80 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 quickness, strength, agility, and flexibility and will reduce chances of injury. By following the programs in this book, you will increase your wrist speed, wrist control, and overall balance resulting in you becoming a 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Excuse me, but
I will quickly admit that I have never read or even held this book. However, I want to point out how fishy it is that all of these flawless reviews sound like they are written by the same person and all of them are anonymous. Self-promotion, perhaps?

Excellent training book
I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in improving their fencing.Now that my fitness has improved, so has my agility and my athleticism.This is a great book and it has really helped me!

Great fencing workout book for lifting weights!
This book is excellent for fencers interested in physical fitness.This book helped me become quicker and more agile, and on a personal level just plain stronger overall.I'd highly recommend it, these guys know what they are talking about.

touche'
What a masterpiece!This is the number one book for all fencing enthusiasts.This book helped me with both strength and agility and it can help you too.Don't miss out on this gem of a book, I'll guarantee it helps you in your matches.

Buy this ASAP!!!!!
This is the best book I've found on this subject and is tailor-made for exactly what fencers need!I would definitely recommend this book without hesitation!It's a steal! ... Read more

Book Description
Often thought of as an activity just for actors or an elite few, fencing is actually an ideal sport for people of all ages. Fencing develops dexterity, endurance, flexibility, grace, and overall fitness, while also allowing participants the opportunity to hone the mind's problem-solving abilities. It is easily learned and practiced by both young and old, men and women, boys and girls. It has even been molded to fit the needs of the blind and individuals using wheelchairs. This is truly a sport for everyone. The Art and Science of Fencing covers everything from the history of the sport to the specifics of fencing technique, including the psychology of fencing, types of fencing weapons, biographies of great fencers, and information on selecting a fencing school and getting started in the sport. This book is a necessity for everyone who's ever seen an Errol Flynn movie and thought "Hey, that could be me!" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (76)

A good overview of classical fencing teqniques
This book provides an excellent overview of classical fencing techniques.
The biggest flaw in this tome is the bias of the author to the "French" school of classical fencing...however, as this bias is clearly and repeatedly stated, there is no conflict.
As a beginner fencer myself, I found this book essential to developing practical skills as well as an understanding of the finer points of the sport.

Dull, not for advanced students
Not a technical book at all, but rather a poorly organized essay on the author's personal philosophy. For fencing history, try "By the Sword" by Richard Cohen. For technical instruction and better photos, try "Foil, Sabre, and Epee Fencing" by Garret, Kaidanov, and Pezza.

Best intro. fencing book I've read
This book offered a detailed overview of a variety of fencing concepts. It was both informative and enjoyable to read. I definitely recommend this book for beginning fencers or those who might be interested in the pursuit.

Just the Basics
The Art and Science of Fencing contains a fairly basic into and description of sport fencing, focusing on the French approach to foil.A full third of the book is dedicated to trying to sell the reader on fencing.In my opinion, if you have bought the book, you're already interested.The text was notably lacking in decent photos or illustrations.There are a couple of pages dedicated to praising the importance of drills and exercises, but there is very little actual description of suggested drills or exercises!
On a side note, the author has a very narrow view of fencing, attributing that there was no "real" swordplay until the 16th century.This is admittedly a common bias in the field.However, it blatantly ignores the fechtschules that have documented evidence from the 1400's.The author is not working from experience or research, as describing non-rapier swords as "can openers" is highly inaccurate.
Lastly, the author asserts that strength training has no place in a fencing training regime.I suggest that strength training has a place in any athletic endevor and that it is simply a matter of tailoring your program to match your sport.
Overall an average introduction for beginning fencers.

One of the better Fencing intros available.
Sometimes a book is noteworthy simply by virtue of lack of competition regarding the subject matter.

Such is the case here. 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. The graphic layout is pretty good as are the photos. The historical stuff is brief, readable and informative. 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 diagrams of different fencing parries and movements are crude and not necessarily helpful. But here, Evangelista shoots about par for the course. Most fencing manuals in existence have pretty awful illustrations.

That said, Evangelista is not exactly popular in the serious competative fencing circuit. Most of today's top competitors routinely roll their eyes at Evangelista.

Part of this is due, no doubt to Evangelista's rather high opinion of himself which seems to pervade the book. But mostly Evangelista is dismissed by the competitive fencing community as a "tradition-bound old fogey." He routinely attacks the modern style of fencing and yearns for a return to the "good old days."

Most of his criticism focuses on the "anatomical grip." Evangelista advocates a traditional straight "French grip." He is correct in his assessment that the French grip leads to much lighter and straightforward fencing than the more muscular and aggressive anatomical grip. He is also correct in pointing out that the newer grips create a fencing style that little resembles real duels fought in Renaissance Italy or England in the 1700s.

I have fenced with both. Personally, I prefer the anatomical grip for essentially two reasons: 1) it transfers strength and power more readily to the sword and 2) it's just more fun!

This second reason illustrates the major problem with Evangelista: he's essentially a killjoy. Modern fencing has wholeheartedly embraced the new style of fencing that Evengelista has attacked. Modern fencers have perfected some rather spectacular moves that would be simply impossible with a more traditional grip. The sport has evolved: today fencing matches are much more aggressive than an actual duel (with lethal swords) would have been.

But I do not see this as a problem really. Fencing is a sport, not a real duel. A certain amount of unrealism is permitted in sport that would not be prudent in true life or death struggles. In essence, it's OK to be a bit "inauthentic." My feeling is that if people are enjoying the anatomical style, let them enjoy it.

You should also note that Evangelista's description of the rules of sabre fencing is a bit outdated. He describes essentially a running charge (or "fleche"). This move has been illegal since the mid 1980s. Sabre fencers are no longer allowed to cross their rear foot in front of their leading foot.

"Raging controversies" aside however, Evangelista's book is probably the best introductory guide to sport fencing on the market. The sad truth is that very few good books have been written about sport fencing. Most of the books available are from the 1970s and 1980s (or earlier) and have not withstood the test of time. In fact, Evangelista's book is likely to be the only book on sport fencing available at your local book store.

Evangelista wins by default. His book simply has no serious competition. If you are interested in learning more about sport fencing without actually setting foot in a fencing club, this book is really all you've got. But that doesn't make this a great book.

If you are serious about learning sport fencing, visit a club, get a sword and start doing it. For everyone else, this book will suffice. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Clear and practical guide to Fencing.
Brian Pitmans book is an excellent, down to earth guide to Fencing, he cover the three weapons Foil, Epee and Saber that are used in Olympic style of fencing.

Some Fencing books are to much concerned with the history ofFencing and often teach old or even outdated styles, that may beinteresting in itself but if you want to compete in modern fencing you needmodern, practical down to earth kind of book and this is it, also if youjust want to Fence for fun this book is great, after all most people whowant to Fence do it for the joy of it and not to be historically correctand beautiful, you Fence in order to hit the opponent and prevent him fromhitting you, of course good and fun Fencing can be beautiful and eventhough the traditionalist are always complaining about the look of modernFencing you can see many examples of top Fencers today who are not onlyvery good but also Fence beautifully.

In his book Brian begins, in partone, with the basic history of fencing the aim of the game the rules andconventions and some basic warm up exercices, part two is about the Foiland part three and four are about the Epee and the Sabre.

He covers thefootwork the attacks and defences and the strategy of the game and the bookis full of good advice about, not only how to get a good technique but alsohow to use it that technique in an efficient manner, in other words how toFence well.

My version of the book is from 1993 and some of the ruleshave changed (it changes almost every year) but the rest is still up todate and relevant.

I have not seen a better book about Fencing so far ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

An outstanding history of the sword
Egerton Castle lays out a roadmap of European swords, schools and masters of the sword, and fencing texts from the middle ages to the early 1800s.Despite an original publication date of 1885, this is the best overview of the subjects covered.It is generally laid out in chronological order, with a few detours to follow specific schools of fencing, but flows well and logically.Castle describes the last days of armor and twohanded swords, and as gunpowder made medieval armor obsolete, he progresses through the development of the rapier and smallsword.

I found the sections on Spanish and English schools of thought most useful, as these are most removed from modern sport fencing, and least accesible through modern authors (who have been heavily influenced by Asian, Pacific Islander, and other edged weapons arts, and their own theories).For example, Ramon Martinez is absolutely brilliant at explaining the Spanish school of fencing as he interpretes it, but he tends to gloss over shortcomings of Spanish Fencing, or John Clements, whose books make reference to parrying with the flat of the sword rather than the edge, which is without practical or historical basis.

Castle's vignettes of personalities and events of fencing history add a charming 'gossipy' air to the work that make it very readable, when it easily could have devolved into an arid scholarly listing of unadorned facts and dates.The discussion of Domenico Angelo in England was a delightful snapshot of life among the upper class of England in that period.

In a word, brilliant."Schools and Masters of Fencing" does not claim to be a text on the management of l'arme blanche, but an overview of the history of the weapon.But with this disclaimer, Castle procedes to offer insights into the techniques and evolution of techniques that have become modern sport fencing.Although Castle does not dwell on it, this work offers great insight into the interrelationship of armor, muscle powered weapons, and firearms.The book neatly frames out the golden age of edged and pointed weapons from the time when the obsolescence of armor in the face of firearms made way for the most subtle and refined swordsmanship to the point where reliable repeating handguns made the sword a relic of a more refined but less democratic era.

Absolutly top shelf; a 'must read' for a serious classical fencer or student of the history of arms.

E. M. Van Court

Dated, but yet to be surpassed
Although this history of fencing is over a century old, and some of its conclusions are deeply flawed, it is still the most complete and accurate book on the subject. Castle's dismissal of early works on swordsmanship as "The rough untutored fighting of the Middle Ages" is unfortunate. I defy anyone to examine Sigmund Ringeck's Fechtbuch (as translated and interpreted by Christian Tobler in Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship) or the anonymous Manuscript I.33 from 1300 (translated by Jeff Forgeng in The Medieval Art of Swordsmanship and analysed by myself and Paul Wagner in Medieval Sword and Shield)and conclude that medieval fencing lacked system and sophistication.

Also unfortunate is Castle's evident belief that the history of fencing is a process of steady improvement to the perfection of fencing in his day. It was a good thing for Castle and his contemporaries that they never had to face the trained killers of the middle ages and see their "rough untutored" fighting for themselves.

But, quaint 19th century notions of superiority aside, in his description of the fencing masters of the 16th-18th centuries, Castle is unsurpassed. He possessed the rare ability to separate observation from opinion. So, while his opinions may be...interesting, his observations, unsullied by opinion are for the most part accurate. He examined about a hundred different fencing masters and their systems in analyses that are sometimes deep and sometimes quite superficial.

Other authors have attempted to write histories of fencing, but none have managed to separate their observations of the old masters from their personal opinions. Hence none are as useful as Castle. As old and as dated as this work is, it still deserves a place on the shelf of anyone interested in the history of swordsmanship.

Stephen Hand
Author, Spada, Spada II,
Medieval Sword and Shield

A MUST HAVE FOR FENCERS
A REVIEW BY NICK EVANGELISTA:

This book is a must for all fencers. It is a font of fencing knowledge, and although much criticized by members of the modern historical fencing movement, it is nevertheless a valuable resource.

As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," "The Inner Game of Fencing," and "The Encyclopedia of the Sword," and the editor/publisher of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, I recommend this book highly.

Flawed; but a classic none the less...
This is a very readable and enjoyable history of the evolution of the various "schools"(or philosophies)of self defence with the sword, expressed with a detailed look at their main proponents, the salon masters of years ago.

Castle's personal sketches of the masters are enlightening and full of anecdotal material. The accompanying illustrations are mostly reproductions of period wookcuts which are invaluable in themselves.

However, the poorly reproduced photographic addenda reveal that Castle was as much as a century off in his ability to identify and date sword types. This of course was not the purpose of his work.

Even given this small flaw, I wholeheartedly recommend this for the fencer or martial artist of any level who is interested in the roots of the art. We are fortunate that Mr Castle provided us with such a good, solid history. ... Read more

Book Description
Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Beginners Fencing Book- Long on Attitude
I have a 9-year-old daughter who is interested in fencing. I bought this book hoping it would be a good basic instruction manual suitable for a child who is a good reader. Whatever it's merits, the book did not meet my hopes and expectations.

There is clearly a lot of good information in the book. However, in order to get to that information it is necessary to wade through a lot of prose in an excessively informal, folksy style that instantly rings false. The introduction (titled "You've Got To Be Kidding! But It Looks So Wierd") sets the tone, devoting itself to reassuring the reader that fencing is not a wimpy sport. The book proceeds to devote entirely too much ink to fencing's supposed underdog status in the world of sports, berating unclean fencing clubs, unintelligible instructors, etc.

Now my daughter had been fascinated by the idea of fencing ever since she discovered one of my old foils in the basement. It had never occurred to her that fencing was anything other than exciting and fun. The introduction, however well-intentioned by the authors, sets a negative tone that is entirely inappropriate for a young reader.

My daughter daughter was pretty much instantly turned off by this book. I had to agree with her.

If you can get it, I would highly recommend the out-of-print "Sports Illustrated Book Of Fencing", as a much more appropriate book for a young beginning fencer.

A Very Good Book-
Fencer's Start-up is an excellent intro and informative source for the beginning fencer- In all three weapons that it goes over, it covers the parries,footwork, basic defence, attacks, and some strategy. Also, the text is very interesting and easy to understand; you wont feel like youre being dragged tediously throughout the book. I highly recommend this- However, fencers BEYOND their first 6 months would NOT find this book as helpful since by then, they would have mastered the things shown.

Arrogance at its worst
Technically, this book is not a disaster: the basics of sport fencing are covered reasonably enough.

But the author has no respect for the tradition of fencing, nor does he come off as being more than anything than a "Sport Fencer" and semi-literate jock who has nothing but his own glorification in mind when he writes.

The most intolerable and tedious part of this tome is the "Fencing Journal." I must applaud whoever his maestro was, because he must have had the patience of a saint to put up with the author's temper tantrums, disgraceful behavior and overall infantilism.

This book is asinine. I would highly recommend Nick Evangelista's books and BY THE SWORD by Cohen for a true sentiment de fer. Avoid this piece of garbage like the plague, or if you must sbject yourself, get it at the local library.

You All Miss The Point Of This Book...
I checked this book out at a local library in Kansas City when I was looking for a book to help learn the basic skills of fencing. When I first read "Fencer's Start-Up: A Beginner's Guide To Traditional And Sport Fencing" I thought I had discovered at least a primer for the on-guard position, parries and basic attacks. Unfortunatly the descriptions of the body mechanics involved for the moves were to shallow for me to make use of them. I started reading the second half of the book and that is when the book redeemed itself.

The author included a short journal of his learning experiences as a fencer. He did manage to be honest throughout the entire journal and that's what makes the second half so good. Not a lot of author's can be totally honest with their readers when they sit down to write even a simple treatise on fencing. The manage to write themselves into a good light as with most short autobiographies but this author didn't.

You all came to this book expecting a serious manual on the art of fencing and I think that is the wrong attitude to approach this book with. Try to think of this book as a tool to get a young person passionate about the sport by showing them how simple a game it is to play. Most of the books on fencing I have read have a stern classical view of fencing, one that keeps it's full people potential chained back by tradition. What I mean is that most of the books I have read do not make fencing look like something that can be done by just anyone. They confine the sport to the rich, the elite or those who already have friends or family fencing. This books was a small attempt to change that by showing people the game without a great deal of tradition.For that it is a book I would want in my library.

For those of you who don't agree with what I have said I say, "Tough."

Unpretentious beginner's guide
This is a lightweight introduction to fencing that deliberately avoids detailed technical explanation and historical background. The serious student should look elsewhere, but the book is intended more to spark interest in those who might otherwise be tempted to write off fencing as old fashioned, elitist and boring. 'Sport fencing' tries to combat this attitude. Mr. Werner's fencing diary is to be commended for its honesty, he does not always portray himself in the best of lights. For mature students starting out, or for instructors who want insight on how their students may see them, this part has value. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

A controversial book it seems
An all round excellent book I found.I don't think it's old fashioned to belive martial arts are about personal growth and improvment more than beating the other guy, but some of the criticisms are valid.I enjoyed being trained, for a long time quite unknowingly, as a classical fencer.Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed this book and agree with the author ideas.But his constant attacks on sport fencing are tiring after a while and they are the only reason I didn't rate this book five stars. I always thought of fencing as a martial art more than a sport, but I accept that this is not the case for everyone.It's personal choice. Arguing in favour of classical fencing is one thing, but to simply repeatedly dismiss sport fencers as shallow idiots is unfair and boring.Not everyone wants to dedicate their life to fencing, some just want to swing a sword around and others just want to win competitions.Leave them alone to have their fun and count their medals Nicky, we'll get on with the real fencing quite fine without them!

This is Fencing
First of all, I find it important that the person writting
this book really knows fencing, because all his advises and
tips are from someone who has done fencing to a high level
(better for us)and is also a coach. What more do you want.
Excellent tips, excellent book

Not What the Title Says It Is
I've been sport fencing for over 25 years and picked up this book as a refresher on strategy. The title and introduction led me to believe that was the type of book that I would read. I was disappointed to find that nearly the entire book is a diatribe against sport fencing in favor of the classical fencing movement. Chapter after chapter stated in one way or another the basic idea of the book: "Modern sport fencing is garbage. Classical fencing is 'real' fencing."

I might have overlooked the author's diatribe, except that he really didn't have much else to say on the subject unless it was couched in his absolute refusal to acknowledge the validity of modern sport fencing.

I gave this book two stars because, within the incessant voice of the author's main point, he managed to slip in some words of advice that have slightly improved my performance on the fencing strip. This advice, however, was only useful since I could connect years of fencing experience with some of the hidden gems within the book.

If you are a die hard classical fencer, read the book as vindication of your choice of fencing. Sport fencers need not bother.

"REAL fencers"??! Oh dear.
Nick Evangelista has produced a book that is quite removed from most aspects of modern fencing. He has very strong views concerning how fencing 'should' be and seems rather irritated that they're not. As a result his work seems to at every opportunity take the form of a personal rant against modern styles of fencing. In fact 'The Inner Game' seems so full of personal vendettas and anecdotes to support them, that it's a wonder actual fencing tactics get a mention at all!

I suggest this book is unsuitable for those practicing the modern sport of fencing and would suggest works by authors such as Prof. John 'Jes' Smith as a preferable source.

It does concern me that those new to the sport could become extremely disillusioned by this work.

That being said he does make some useful comments concerning general approaches to training, placing a lot of emphasis on self discipline and correct practice.

In addition, all this talk of 'Real fencers' is at best a demonstration of the writer's ignorance. Nick may be a good teacher of classical fencing, however i believe 'The Inner Game' is poorly written and would not even recommend it to those who do wish to practice the classical style.

A Guide to REAL fencing
Another AWESOME book by famous fencing artist Nick Evangelista. This is a book made for REAL fencers and not the olympic woosy type. The book also explains grips, moves, etc. A MUST READ for any begginer or REAL fencer. ... Read more

Book Description
Monsieur L'Abbat was a French author and a Fencing Master at the Academy of Toulouse in France in the late seventeenth century. He was the author of the first comprehensive study of the art of fencing entitled Questions Sur L'Art En Fait D'Armes, which was first translated into English by Andrew Mahon in 1734 and called, The Art of Fencing, or, The Use of the Small Sword. ... Read more

Book Description
This highly readable, low-cost text meets the needs of beginning students and more experienced players by providing a comprehensive resource. It covers all aspects of fencing, from clear explanations of techniques, strategies, and physical preparation/conditioning to the rules of the game, tips on care/selection of equipment, and a history of the sport. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

classic always good
This book is a good introduction to Foil fencing. It does have some dated pictures but the information given still serves favorably for the new foil fencer. It should be clear this book should be used in addition to current lessons being taken to be able to extract the information correctly.

One of the best
A simple and complete introduction to the sport.The text is a little dated but still accurate.Probably the best introductory book for the money.

A Sound Fencing Book
A REVIEW BY NICK EVANGELISTA:

This book has been around for quite a while, and for good reason. It is a fine, basic volume on fencing. I recommend it.

A good basic guide to the sport
This is a clearly written basic introduction to Olympic-style sport foil fencing, with good illustrations.It is much more readable than most others, and is written for a U.S. audience.Foil is the weapon most often used to teach beginners, and though I am a sabre fencer I found this book very useful during my first year. ... Read more

Book Description
If you're a fencer, this book will take your epée game to the next level! It's a must if you're a coach!

From simple moves to a masterful repertory of dazzling strokes and counterstrokes -- technique, tactics, and strategy. This is the definitive book on épée fencing for decades to come.

Epee Fencing: a complete system is an encyclopedia of epee techniques which add up to a treasury of actions and ideas to select from. Every attack, every preparation, is carefully described; then the parries used against that attack are analyzed, then the counterattacks. Numerous lessons and drills are included, and the book is copiously illustrated. The new translation has been acclaimed, and the original materials supplemented with a discussion of fencing terminology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Exhaustive
I agree, generally, with the three previous reviewers of this book. However, I strongly disagree with the author's statements in the Introduction concerning foil as being the basis for epee fencing. Vass insists that the fencer should have a solid grounding in foil before beginning to fence with the epee. He goes on to state that it should take about five years before the fencer has shifted over only 50% from foil to epee. Absurd; it does not make sense first to learn foil and then to spend years unlearning it while converting to epee. There are essential differences between epee and foil: in epee fencing the entire body is fair target, while in foil it is only the torso, and while foil is governed by the right-of-way convention (fencers will know what I mean), in epee the first hit counts, with no regard for convention.

Epee fencing has changed over the years. Vass concentrates on technique, and techniques have changed since he wrote his book. The classical styles and schools of the past have been replaced almost completelyby a much more athletic game in which speed, strength, movement, and opportunism count as much or more than sophisticated technique. The great change began in about 1960, when the hemispherical barbed point, which would catch on the opponent's sleeve even if the attacker's blade was almost parallel to his opponent's arm, was replaced by the flat point, modified a couple of years later to have a chamfered edge. The old point made touches easier, and it was the cautious, patient, accurate fencer who often prevailed. The newer point, introduced for safety reasons, usually requires that the hit be at a greater angle. While in the past most touches were made on the arm, now a greater proportion are made on the body. Of course basic technique and point accuracy still count, but even the stance of today's epee fencers, quite different from, and looser than, the classical style is indicative of the changes in the game.

Vass's treatment of the weapon is the most comprehensive that I have encountered in a book, but the best fundamental understanding of epee fencing and how it differs from foil is to be found in"Modern Fencing", by Clovis Deladrier. Even though that book was written half a century ago, Deladrier's insights still apply. Deladrier correctly understood the epee to be completely different from foil and saber, with its own action and reaction. To aspiring epee fencers, I say do not waste too much time on foil; it will be detrimental to your epee game.

Vass's exhaustive explication of technique, with so many combinations and permutations, can be daunting even to the experienced epee fencer, but there is always more to learn, and so I recommend it.

An excellent primer and tactical source
Imre Vass's book on Epee fencing is probably one of the finest books that one could read on the subject.While Vass learned and studied Epee fencing in Hungary, under the very heavy influence of Russian at times, it still shows a system of fencing that is strongly founded in modern competitive fencing and has many practical applications.So, any student of Epee can learn about this fencing system.

Vass primarily lays the book out in a series of chapters on different elements of fencing.Moving from discussions on target areas and engagements of the blade, there is a wide variety of topics that are covered.The material is well laid out, and comprehensive in nature, with some talk by the author of the value of different actions and his thoughts on what an Epee fencer should be doing.

However, this is not a book for the faint of heart.For the starting Epeeist, this may be a very difficult read.Especially when there are discussions of drills and the training.For the intermediate or advanced Epeeist, or a coach, this is an excellent source for practicing fencing and designing new drills to perform.Plus is helps to consider this as a way to analyze one's own fencing.

This book is primarily geared to the competitive fencer, so it does mean that there is some discussion about actions that would be more present in competitive fencing and not historical fencing.So, this book may not appeal to some people.Likewise, because of Vass's Hungarian style, this may also not appeal to those in the competitive circuit if it doesn't fit with your style of fencing.That being said, as someone who appreciate Bruce Lee's views on the martial arts (taking a little bit of something from everything), one can incorporate some of the concepts and learn from them.

Overall, if you can find a copy of this book (it is very difficult to find, and I had trouble finding a second copy for a friend of mine), it is an excellent resource to have on your shelf.

Epee for the Epeeist
One of the first things that attracted me to this book was the fact that it was an honest-to-goodness book about epee fencing.The majority of fencing books that I have read have put more emphasis on foil.Although it can be a little tough to slog through reading-wise (I had some problems, doesn't mean everyone will),Epee Fencing: A Complete System, is extraordinary in the amount of detail presented.A definite must for anyone who has a love for epee! I heartly recommend this book!

Excellent new translation of a superlative book
The first English edition of this book was marred by a worthy but literal translation. As a result it was turgid and difficult reading.

Stephan Khinoy has made an excellent new translation. The text flows freely, and ismuch more understandable. Given that this is the fundamental book on epee,this is to be commended.

This isn't to say that there aren't flaws in thebook. Epee has moved on since the original publication, and some of thesections look a little old fashioned. This is mitigated by Khinoy'seditorial interspersions which present the modern style. This slightlynegative comment should not detract from the fact that this book isunrivalled in its treatement of the weapon, and should be read by allepeeists and their coaches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

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.

Some excellent history
This is a reprint of the book originally published in 1964, if I remember correctly, and is definitely something of a classic, since there were few books available in the U.S. on the art of kendo at that time.

I read this book mainly for the history of kendo, in order to supplement the reading I'm doing on the history of iai, as I am mainly an iaido practitioner rather than a kendo-ka. I'd recently read Karl Friday's Legacies of the Sword, a scholarly work by an American professor of Japanese history on iaido, much of it impressively written from original Japanese sources. It was quite detailed as far as the history and philosophy of Kashima-Shinryu iaido goes, but other styles get discussed too, such as Jikishin Kage-ryu and Yagyu Shinkage-ryu. However, much of the information is relevant to other styles as well. But it was primarily, as I said, on iai, so I wanted to get some background in the kendo as well. I mention it because it would be a good book to read after this one. Just be advised, if you're familiar with Dave Lowry's lively and entertaining books on iaido, this is truly a academic tome, and the style is much denser and dryer than Lowry's works, but it's worth reading for the exhaustive detail and scholarship that went into it. The author says that it was the product of 20 years of research, and it shows.

I can't comment on the technical aspects of the kendo forms and techniques, but I thought the history was excellent despite a few things I found far-fetched, such as the author's mentioning of 9-foot swords. I note one of the other reviewers commented on this too, and he also had a problem with some of the author's facts on European armor. However, baring a few problems like that, I thought this chapter was excellent as a good introductory history and it contained much good information on many of the old kendo schools and the most famous masters, and dozens of famous masters are discussed along with the styles they originated, along with their exploits and some of the philosophy too. There still aren't many books discussing the history of iaido and kendo in English in much detail, and this chapter on the history is one of the better ones I've seen so far.

THERE'S NO SUBSTITUTE YET.
This book, along with Fundamental Kendo (of the Zen Nihon Kendo Remmei) are still the most important kendo books around. Now, as we all know, Fundamental Kendo is out of print, so you should at least own a copy of this one. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com
James Galvin opens his first novel with a shocking, seemingly inexplicable murder--horseman Mike Arans closes on a pistol-packing motorist named Merriwether Snipes, throws a rope and snaps his neck--and then proceeds to illuminate why it happened, what it means, and how Mike deals with the consequences. Though billed as a novel, Fencing the Sky is in fact a more deeply fictionalized continuation of The Meadow, Galvin's partly historic, partly imagined evocation of a way of life that took hold on an upland Wyoming ranch for a century and then blew away.

If The Meadow is elegiac, Fencing the Sky is angry and blackly humorous. This is the grim, greedy '90s, when swaggering developers like Merriwether Snipes ride the range in their ATV's, carving up the old homesteads into 40-acre ranchettes and making life hell for the few decent people who remain. Galvin makes three of these holdouts his heroes--Oscar Rose, who supports a cattle habit (and family) by working as a vet; Adkisson Trent, a doctor who inherited from his father a spectacular spread and a penchant for proud solitude; and Arans, the renegade, who fled from New Jersey to become a cowboy. The heat of the book rises from the connections and passions of these men--their women and work troubles, their unspoken bond with each other, their fury at Snipes and everything he represents.

Galvin, a poet, has assembled his narrative out of vivid shards, yet, despite the jump-cuts, this is an old-fashioned novel at heart, with heroes and villains, heartbreak and suspense, and characters so real you want to ride out and shake hands. The same themes, the same imagery, the same equine adoration crop up in Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry, but Galvin has a lighter touch, eschewing myth for the minute particulars of hard work and hard luck in a single community. Galvin can also crack a good joke, even though he knows as well as anyone that there's not a lot to laugh about under the big sky these days. --David LaskinBook Description

Customer Reviews (13)

A new perspective
Being from New Jersey, and having a log cabin in upstate NY where I feel I have my own little piece of paradise, this book was a shot to the gut.

When rich city folk buy up most of the unclaimed land out west, and disrespect that land by tearing it up with dirtbikes and ATV's, and spook the cattle and make life hard for the ranchers who have lived there and made livings the hard, good ol' way, it made me change the way I felt about my own cabin. Seeing and feeling how disrespectful these newcomers were is greatly felt through the characters we get to know in this book.

Told through a series of flashbacks while our protagonist is fleeing from the law on horseback, we come to know and love the fugitive who was only standing up for his own moral rights. While this is the main outline for the plot, the deeper, real intention is the abuse the government forced upon landowners and ranchers in the west, claiming rights to dig up land regardless of ownership.

Overall, a sad story that hits home with impact and gives you chills as you turn the last few pages. I particularly enjoyed the last quarter of the book the most. Please read and try to understand the loss many landowners out west feel about the destruction of good land, turned into a 'wilderness escape' for wealthy personel.

But what a preposterous ending!
I love Wyoming, and Galvin brought me to tears more than once with his loving and poetic descriptions of the land, the people who want to protect it, and his indictment ofhorrible Takers and Users who see only dollar signs in that beauty.

Galvin's message about the land and the Wyoming rancher's fading way of life should be read and treasured.But stop reading this book when you reach Page 235. I wish I had.

PS:or read Galvin's beautiful "The Meadow," also about the Medicine Bow area.Its characters are the people who lived there (composites of them are in "Fencing"), and while the ending is sad, it's believable.

Brilliant Book
Exceptional book, beautifully written, powerful story. I've bought as a gift for others many times.

Excellent story, wrong hero
There is no denying that Galvin has weaved an excellent tale in this book.His writing and the story are excellent.You want to know more with each snippet of the story regarding what's going to happen. Even though the scene's change and you don't really want them to change, you are thrilled when they do change because each part of the story is very captivating.The only exception to this is the end of the story. I won't say what happened, but the end read to me as though Galvin got a call from his publisher saying, "Finish it or lose the contract."I felt myself having to totally suspend reality and belief at the end and in general thinking, "this just doesn't fit."

The major drawback to the story is that more often than not, I kept thinking that the hero in the story was missing.The person who is very clearly the 'hero' is not much more than a vigilante, and as such the glorifications of his actions are misplaced.Additionally, the story has as a general idea a lament for the loss of the small time rancher in Wyoming and Colorado.This is not a lament I share.The small time rancher in Wyoming has a great deal of political influence anddespite Galvin's depiction of them as hardworking honest folk who only want the best for the land, the political realities are often far from that depiction.

This is a book that will start conversations, especially if you are at all familiar with the current state of events in the Rocky Mountain region.By that standard alone this book does warrant five stars, but because I disagree so heavily with the thesis and because the ending is so poorly constructed, I have to give it four stars.

Fugitive Cowboy On The Run in Wyoming
This is one of a number of modern Westerns I read in the winter of 2004-05.The others included: J. Robert Lennon's, "On The Night Plain," Annie Proulx' "Close Range"; Mark Spragg's "Fruit Of Stone", Ralph Beer's "The Blind Corral"; Gretel Ehrlich's "Heart Mountain", and David Long's "Blue Spruce", a collection of modern stories.I might also include Wallace Stegner's "Angle Of Repose" which is more of a historical Western though with more contemporary aspects, John Treadwell Nichols' "The New Mexico Trilogy",which seems to me now somewhat dated, or Rick De Marinis' "Year Of The Zinc Penny", set mostly in wartime L.A. in 1943 but about a family with Montana roots. If you only have time to read one--since they are somewhat repetitive, particularly in the areas of cattle or sheep ranching, horsemanship and descriptions of ranch life-- you might choose "Fencing The Sky" since it is one of the best, with Beer's great rather nostalgic novel perhaps second. This is a society in which tradition lasts longer than in some other areas of the country, certainly dating from the late 19th century.

All these novels & stories lament the passing of the Old West, but some--certainly "Fencing The Sky" and "Angle Of Repose" are also strikingly contemporary, dealing with such issues as 60's student radicalism,war service (Lennon, Beer, and Ehrlich) aggressive land development, and considerable ecological problems such as deforestation and strip mining which have laid waste to this part of the country, as Jared Diamond'srecent book "Collapse" also attests. Elk and elk hunting, and other naturalistic descriptions, are another subject common to all. At least three of the novels contain quite a lot of romance between siblings growing up on neighboring ranches in what will seem to some, including myself,to be a rather idyllic life, certainly the opposite of urban living.Some of the ranch details are truly inspired, such as a pack rat stealing from a cowboy in the middle of the night, or a square dance. Proulx' amazing award-winning stories are packed with historic details, in a limited space. Cowboys are unfortunately somewhat prone to alcoholism, also.Both Spragg and Galvin use a flashback technique in alternating chapters. Each novel is somewhat unique so that you can enjoy each but all have a great deal in common as well. Spragg's novel is most uniquely notable for its humour--a wayward wife,two old friends, an Indian, a dog, a physicist, and their misadventures.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

An excellent primer
Gaugler's book on the Science of Fencing is an excellent primer for fencing students and coaches, and is a superb work on basic fencing actions and helps to illustrate to newer fencers good fencing technique.For coaches, this reinforces what should be taught and what the coach should keep an eye on when working with fencers.Which is very helpful in teaching the basics as well as simply reinforcing good technique.

The book is primarily broken into 3 different sections, one for each of the three different weapons.Each section of the book covers basic technique for each of the weapons, talking about target area and basic lines of attack as well as the parries.Even the basics of holding the weapon are covered, to ensure that a proper grip is reinforced for the fencer.Each section also has several prictures (of Gaugler and his students) to demonstrate some of the fencing actions.This helps to understand some of the more complicated actions, as well as blade positions.

Overall, this ensures that the technique that Gaugler is discussing is adequately explained and that the reader can get what is going on here.As a coach, I've found the text to be invaluable for drills, whether it be for beginning fencers or more experienced fencers.Reading the text gives a coach or advanced fencers some areas to explore by using the drills presented as a jumping off point for other drills.

Some of the critics have found one of the following faults with the book:

Firstly, it is too focused on the Italian school.Gaugler makes no excuse for this, and himself mentions that the focus of the book is training in the Italian school; afterall, that's what he says he was trained in.So, you know what you are getting into from the beginning.And, speaking as someone who has read Vass, learning about the Italian school and gaining an understanding of that system is not a bad thing.

Secondly, it is too basic in nature.This is not meant to be an exhaustive text on fencing and tactics.In fact, I would be wary of any book that promises that, as fencing tactics is a difficult subject to cover (and strongly biased depending on your focus).Instead, it reinforces the basics and technique that all fencers should be well grounded in.Even as an advanced fencer, I find myself more focused on practicing the basics and reinforcing good fencing technique first; then reflecting on tactics later on.

Thirdly, the book is too dated.Gaugler is admitedly a historical fencer.As such his book is not geared towards competitive fencing.He does not decry competitive fencing (as some do), just that is not his focus.That being said, even competitive fencers should be able to learn something from his books.Certainly it will not focus on the what is applicable on the piste in a close bout, but it gives enough good technique that competitive fencers should come back to this for their drills and continuing development.

Overall, I've found the book to be an excellent resource and one that I recommend to fencers interested in learning more.The book can be a tough read though, and if you are not familiar with the Italian school it is also difficult to translate the lessons into something that may be more readily grasped (most fencing in the US is based on the French school, and there are big gaps between the Italian and French schools).But, if you can make the jump, then this book is an invaluable guide that can be used by fencers and coaches.

Strong medicine for American fencers' chronic impotence
Trained by self-made "coaches" contemptuous of formal teacher training, it should come as no surprise that American fencers have seen no Olympic Gold in an entire century.Ask them what thrusts or feints are to be used in blade seizure, how to oppose an action in countertime, or which counterattacks can be executed with priority and you'll get a blank stare.Their "coaches" will defiantly insist, "That's old-fashioned, we don't do that any more."Well, perhaps they don't, but it's clear that American fencers' eminently successful European adversaries, prepared with a strong foundation in classical fencing theory and technique, know better.In the United States the one resource that holds the key to success is Dr. William M. Gaugler's "The Science of Fencing."Based upon the works of Parise, Pessina and Pignotti, its importance is not overlooked by the Germans, Austrians, and Swiss who now use the German edition.In Italy the Italian edition is widely employed, while Gaugler's"Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology" and "The History of Fencing" are required reading for all candidates who hope to become fencing masters.For those fencing either solely for recreation or with serious Olympic aspirations, this book is indisensable.

Not for modern fencing
This book has little useful information relating to the modern sport.Absolutely NO attention is paid to the rules, concepts of right-of-way, or direction.The book spends all its time on the mechanics of movements with no attention paid to tactics.Furthermore, figures are sparse, and few illustrations are present to detail the evolution of the movements.The book uses the Italian hand positions rather than the easier to understand and more prevalent (in my experience) French numbering.Too much attention is paid to relaxed, exhibitionist movements rather than the overall goal: to score touches and win.Finally, the preference for all things Italian is excessive and unhelpful with insufficient translation.

This is an excellent book for those not serious about or have no interest in competition.Do not buy this book otherwise as it is useless to you.

Centuries worth of fencing knowledge
This is an amazingly complete work on Italian fencing actions and theory written for both student and instructor.It is clear Maestro Gaugler has done exhaustive work collecting and translating works from the last three to four centuries in order to write this compilation.The actions and theory presented here are still being taught in Italy and the U.S.For foil, sabre, and epee, information provided in this book includes:the classical guard and lunge, simple attacks, parry and riposting actions, compound and circular attacks, cut-overs, actions on the blade, counteroffensive actions, actions in time, and fencing tactics.

Any serious fencer should be anchored to the foundations of fencing by exploring classical styles.This book may seem wordy, but it is necessary to describe the actions correctly so that one can effectively practice what ultimately must be felt "in hand" on the strip.A number of the advanced actions revealed by Maestro Gaugler are particularly effective against sport fencers who have never been taught or exposed to this breadth of work.If you aren't a fencing instructor, you don't necessarily need to pour over the synoptic tables, but they do reveal how a fencing phrase can progress with your opponent from the given offensive action.For teachers, the tables and sample lessons provide a wealth of offensive, defensive, and counteroffensive actions that can be used to develop your own lessons.

zero relevace to the modern sport
I bought all this author's books... zip on the useful info. ... Read more