Customer Reviews (7)

Basic Foil
As Basic Instruction Fencing books go, this one is pretty good. Although..
in my opinion you can not learn to fence from a book. My problem is with the cover.....If the book is Basic foil why are the opponents fencing Epee with Saber masks on? Is this an inside joke?

An excellent introductory text
This is the ideal text for any beginning fencer in an academic situation. The writing is accessible, the concepts are made clear and well supplemented by photographs and diagrams, and a basic introduction to the history, rules, and methods of fencing are made available to the curious beginner. While the text is far from comprehensive, it is an excellent foundation for the practical execution that occurs in class.

Good for the beginner
I used this book as a text for my introductory fencing courses, and I found it to be an excellent starting point for someone who hasn't had any experience in the sport.A good basic manual for stances, positions, offenses and defenses, as well as a good introduction to bouting and the rules of ocmpetition fencing.

Nice intro to fencing
This was my textbook for my introductory fencing course at Ohio State. It was an excellent complement to the course, and I recommend it to anyone just starting fencing.

Great
I took Simonians Beginner Foil Fencing class at OSU, and the book helped a great deal.Good information to help the beginner. ... Read more

Product Description

Product 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 (5)

this is awful.
a really, really bad high school paper might start out with "since the dawn of time, mankind has engaged in war.world war 2 was one such war."

this book starts out with, and i paraphrase, "since the dawn of civilization, mankind has engaged in fencing.when man first invented clubs, they beat the snot out of each other with them, and that was the earliest form of fencing.then, they made swords out of metal, and fencing with swords was born."

and it doesn't get any better from there.sweet monkey christ, i've got a couple of five year olds who could probably write something more meaningful about the history of fencing.the most mockable feature is, hands down, the thought-provoking question asked at the end of each section.for example, "why might it be important for a mask to fit well?"seriously?trees died for this?

this book offers a lot of filler, an impressive feat given that it barely tops 100 pages.it's like a bunch of fencing-themed verbiage that was slapped together to fill some pages in the "fencing" volume of this series of books on various sports.it offers very little in the way of actual instruction in the sport.the explanations of various moves are clear and concise, but nowhere near detailed enough for the reader to better understand exactly what the body should (and should not) be doing.

if you're looking for an instructional book, i recommend instead fencing: steps to success. it's much more detailed, with excellent drawings, and breaks down exactly what every part of your body should be doing, what moves first/last, how your weight should be distributed, etc, and is filled with very helpful drills for both solo practice and practice with a partner."steps to success" covers only the "beginner" moves.you'll want another book later as a companion to more advanced instruction - and i'm guessing "foil fencing" is by far not the best choice out there.

there's one purpose for which i could highly recommend this book - if your child or boyfriend/girlfriend is a fencer and you're going to be watching them fence and want to know what the heck is going on.if you're looking to enhance your own fencing however, save your money.

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

Product Description
The definitive guide to this increasingly popular sport. In this comprehensive guide to the practice and techniques of fencing, John 'Jes' Smith, one of Britain's foremost fencing masters, provides an essential reference work for newcomers to this fascinating sport. Informative and practical, Foil Fencing covers both basic and more advanced techniques, and offers expert advice on how to get the most out of your fencing training. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb foil fencing book
Hi, I've been foil fencing for about 3 years at a club level.

The pictures in this book are clear, and the entire book is information rich, meaning you won't get a lot of extra words on the page unless it is dense with pure fencing instruction.

Highly recommended, especially since most other books are not foil fencing specific.

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Big publisher Dover tries to destroy little fencing publisher Laureate Press
This book has been printed by a small publisher, Laureate Press, for more than a decade. Now Dover comes in and wants to take this very small market away from a company that has struggled to provide this and other books to the fencing community for so long. Laureate Press is responsible for bringing Aldo Nadi's name back to the attention of the fencing world. They published this book in 1994, and though not sold through book stores anymore, it has been in print ever since (see Bowker's Books in Print) and available here on Amazon in the Market Place as a New Book under the "On Fencing" title or directly from Laureate Press. This book along with Nadi's autobiography The Living Sword, Secrets of the Sword by Bazancourt, and William Gaugler's books, The Science of Fencing, the Dictionary of Fencing Terminology, and the History of Fencing, are also published by Laureate Press. That's all they do, Dover has hundreds of titles.

Notes on this book: The typeface is smaller in Dovers version and therefore much harder to read. The back cover quotes and some of the text appears to have been taken right off the back cover of the Laureate Press book. They did not include the New Foreword as in the Laureate version, that gives a short biography of Nadi's life. They also did not include the portrait of Nadi and his signature, which is opposite the title page in the Laureate book. I think the photo and signature give my copy a much more personalized feel, almost as if Nadi signed it himself.

A purchase of this Dover version "Nadi on Fencing" is a nail in the coffin for the other great fencing titles Laureate Press publishes. I think Dover should go back to publishing books that are no longer in print and leave the small publishers alone. ... Read more

Product Description
If you’re serious about competing at foil, you need this book. It clearly explains the new tactics and techniques that have transformed modern fencing, offers training tips, and provides numerous illustrations."Incredibly pithy. . . . a wealth of information." — Fencing Master Dick Oles, Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the US Fencing Coaches Association. This book has been adopted as a textbook by the British Fencing Association and is highly recommended by the USFCA. The book includes a glossary of fencing terms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome
This books takes a ton of work to get through, but was well worth theeffort. My level of understanding and my results have increasedsignificantly. ... Read more

Product Description
First published in 1948, Modern Fencing was used to train generations of fencing students at the U.S. Naval Academy.It is unique among fencing manuals because it contains lessons in all three weapons - the foil, epee and sabre - rather than just one.Though long out of print, Modern Fencing is still considered one of the best fencing manuals ever written and is often cited by modern fencing masters for its concise lessons and excellent photos.Don't miss this opportunity to own this classic military fencing manual. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Basic principles
As an epee fencer, I have found Deladrier's understanding of the fundamentals of the game to be unsurpassed. Granted, times have changed, & so have the equipment & the game, but his statement of the basic principles of epee fencing still hold. Chapter VIII "Practical Advice" in the epee section is worth the price of the book.

A very detailed, in-depth 'lesson plan' on how to use the three basic weapons of fencing
Any undertaking fencing should have Modern Fencing: A Comprehensive Manual For The Foil, The Epee, The Sabre as a basic 'bible' of information: it's not casual overview but a very detailed, in-depth 'lesson plan' on how to use the three basic weapons of fencing. First published in 1948, Modern Fencing served as a basic training manual for students of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds lessons in all three weapons - the foil, epee, and sabre. It's long been out of print and should be considered a 'must' for any fencing student.

A good historical text
This book covers fencing as it was traditionally taught from the turn of the century until the early 60's.It's well organized and although most of the attitudes re. the primacy of the french grip foil etc. are outmoded, it is a great primer on traditional fencing.Of special interest to the student are the lesson plans included in the book. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally an examination of the sport "as practiced by all European nations from the Middle Ages to the present day," with 1896 being the "present day," this bibliography today serves as an exemplary historical reference.In addition to the informative bibliography, the "Notes on Fencing and Duelling" section fascinates readers with its accounts of duels as reported in various publications of the time. One story from the September 21, 1890, edition of the Sunday Times startlingly reveals, "After a French duel, if 'honor has been satisfied,' and nobody has been assassinated, a grand breakfast usually takes place." ABOUT THE AUTHORWhen he compiled this bibliography, Carl A. Thimm, F. R. G. S., late Captain second London Rifles, realized "from past experience how impossible it is for a work such as this to be complete." Yet, more than one hundred years after its initial publication, A Complete Bibliography of Fencing and Duelling remains one of the preeminent books on the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A USEFUL AND INTERESTING REFERENCE VOLUME
Thimm's bibliography is one of the unique fencing related volumes of the nineteenth century. Along with Castle's "Schools and Masters of Fence," it should be in every fencing library. As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," "The Inner Game of Fencing," and "The Encyclopedia of the Sword;" and the Editor-in-Chief of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, I recommend it.

An invaluable listing of our Western martial heritage
Thimm offers the most complete listing of historical fencing manuals and was one of the most thorough of Victorian era sword scholars. Most importnatly his material lists texts which actually still exist today andare being studied once again. - John Clements, HACA Director ... 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.A quick reference guide, timeline of important events, instructions on basic skills, biographies of notable people, glossary, and index are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent guide to terms
Gaugler's Dictionary is considered to be one of the best accumulations of fencing terminology currently in print.It is an exceptionally good source of information on many of the terms used by fencers, referees and coaches, and is very straight forward and easy to digest.Anyone who's attempted a reading of the USFA's fencing rulebook will find this to be an invaluable source and helpful in explaining some of the terms.

The layout of the book is very straight forward.After the introduction, the book immediately begins presenting all of the terms present in fencing.Gaugler also presents it from several different angles.Specifically, the origin of the term in each of the major fencing styles (whether it be French or Italian, German or Russian) and whether or not the meaning is slightly different.This helps illustrate some of the historical meaning to the terms, as what constitutes a certain action in the French system is not the same as the German system.

Is the book short?Certainly, because it has definitions specific to fencing and nothing more.As such, it is exactly the right length and is very practical and straight forward.Thus making it a good reference book (e.g., a dictionary).Contrary to some reviews, this does not take away from its use as a resource.It simply means that if you go in expecting some kind of treatise on fencing tactics and technique, you won't find it.It is just a dictionary, and since there aren't a huge number of fencing terms (I would say approximately a couple of hundred) it is long enough to address that.Afterall, how many ways do you need a parry to be defined?

Gaugler has an excellent pedigree in fencing, and is considered one of the best historians when it comes to the history of fencing itself.As an expert in the field, his knowledge is very well founded and his books can be considered an excellent source.Admitedly, his focus is primarily on historical fencing, so modern fencers be wary of this.But, unlike other writers, I still find his writing to be very accessible.

Overall, this book is excellent for what it does and the information it provides.It's not an exhaustive source on fencing history or tactics or training technique, it is simply a dictionary of those terms common to fencing.

Helpful when you don't have time to research books
To be truthful, there is little to be said about Maestro William Gaugler's Dictionary of Fencing Terminology since it's just that - a dictionary that no one should expect any more or less from. Though some will complain that Gaugler does not elaborate enough on certain terms, I find this book helpful to look up a quick term whenever I don't have time to skim the pages of fencing literature. It's very quick and easy to look through, and I'm also pleased that Gaugler takes the time to explain both French and Italian terms on a lot of the entries. The book is indeed small but it's sold at a cheap price and the cost should be of no concern to even the stingiest of fencers. I find this book particularly recommendable for those new to fencing who consistently worry that they've forgotten fencing terms.

handy reference for fencers and writers
This is not a how to of fencing, but literally a small pamphlet on fencing that deal with only the terminology.Very well done, and would be a great access for writers dealing with sword play scenes.It is approved by the Joint Board on Accreditation of THe US Fencing Association Coaches and the San Jose State University Fencing Master Program, so you know it is vetted completely.

I find it very valuable for writers reference and highly recommend this concise dictionary of fencing terms.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Some fencers approach fencing only from a physical level, but there are others among us who believe that thinking is the most important fencing skill you will ever develop. Anyone can learn to lunge, to parry, to perform a disengage. But thinking on the fencing strip is a hard-won ability, exercized by relatively few fencers today. The "anything-for-a-touch" school of fencing, which hangs its consciousness proudly on the tip of its foil, will poo-poo the necessity for the academic approach, but it is a fact that the real game of fencing goes on between your brain and your sword hand. Fencing is a highly abstract activity, and having workable, understandable definitions is a vital part of mastering the real process. This is what has made fencing a readily teachable activity for the past four hundred years. Maestro William Gaugler gives us a volume that provides many answers to the questions of "what is what" in fencing. Every fencing student should read this book. As the author of "THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FENCING" and "THE INNER GAME OF FENCING," and the editor/publisher of "FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE," I recommend this book highly.

worthless
The word "dictionary" brings to mind an image of a weighty tome filled with definitive facts and indispensible information...This "book" is actually a pamphlet listing some of the terms used in fencing and is by no means a complete listing as its title suggests.I find the terms and definitions therein to be of little help interpreting fencing actions and of no value in dissecting the movements associated with this sport.

As a fencer I would advise any other fencer or person interested in the sport to look elsewhere for information ... This leaflet would be best suited as a handout rather than something to be pruchased. ... Read more

Product Description
Complete and exhaustive list of books and articles on all aspects of fencing and duelling in the major European languages, illustrated with portraits ofcelebrated swordsmen. ... Read more

Product Description
An excellent and concise handbook on the rules of Fencing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great Ethnocentric Treatise on European Fencing
M. Gaugler is well known in the SF Bay region for his ethocentric devotion to the now archaic Italian handle for modern competition, and his ethnocentric devotion to his Italian history to the exclusion of the huge history of the development of fencing in France for example, where the second main school of fencing developed simultaneously to the Italian.M. Gaugler seems to have been on a one man lifetime mission to resurrect the abandoned Italian grip regardless to the detriment of his students who depart comepletely misinformed on reality.He seems to hate that the French handle has turned out to be superior for modern use rather than the Italian.Don't get me wrong, this is an excellent book, but don't think for a minute that it is the whole story - not a bit.

A GREAT ADDITION TO FENCING LITERATURE!
This is the most fascinating mainstream fencing history since Egerton Castle's "Schools and Masters of Fence," which was written at the end of the nineteenth century. William Gaugler's writing, the product ofboth scholar and fencing master, is always clear and precise. "TheHistory of Fencing" belongs in every fencing and sword library. Irecommend it highly.

A unique book containing centuries of fencing development
This book is unique in that it shows the development of modern fencing using the uniqueunderstanding of a man who is a fencing master and an academic. Using only orginal sources a complete picture of the developmentof fencing results. The only possible weakness is the neglect of post 1945hungarian, polish, german and russian works. Although it can be argued thatform the point of view of fencing technique these are a combination of thefrench and italian fencing schools, in practice they are different.Asinclusion of these works would have either made the work too large, orreduced the details of the material covered, exclusion of these works isnot really a problem. In itself this book should be required reading forall fencing masters and for all serieus practioners of the sport.

Overall, though, it's excellent
Don't let any of the so-called "shortcomings" I wrote of above stop you from buying this book-- you really will get an excellent education.

A well-researched, scholarly history of fencing
Maestro Gaugler's book does not copy Castle's pioneering work, rather, itcomplements it, filling in the history of the Italian tradition, as well asmore recent fencing history, through the 20th century.The tack taken inthe (unfortunately, relatively slim) chapters on the 16th and 17th centuryis more of the historical masters as antecedents to modern practice, inkeeping with the central thesis that fencing has been a continuoustradition from the earliest times to the present. While this is undeniablyan important and central truth, it unfortunately does not leave much roomto tell us how, exactly, the swordplay of Marozzo or Agrippa was performed,and how, also, it differed from the modern. This lack of context, bothsocial and martial, is somewhat bothersome. To those who are primarilyinterested in historical swordplay, though M. Gaugler makes clear theessential point that a firm foundation in classical modern fencing isindispensable, the paucity of historical trivia may be seen by some as ashortcoming.Finally, the entirety of the significant and fascinatingSpanish school of rapier fence, la verdadera destreza, is glossed over. ... Read more

Product 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

Product 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

Customer Reviews (1)

Very good. Concise ... Pragmatic
This book is a big help, as it is well written by a knowledgabe author. It is short and to the point, with good illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
Building on the book Learning Fencing, this book explains how to train for technique and tactics in the sport of fencing and shows why fencers must improve their endurance, strength, and speed. Young fencers learn to go beyond practice bouts and enrich their training with exercises that may seem to have nothing at all to do with fencing. They discover how important it is to warm up before training and competitions and learn how an athlete gets stiff muscles. The book also includes suggestions about what young athletes can do on their own to improve their skills and to monitor and evaluate their progress. With the help of this book, young fencers learn to manage their own development and to take responsibility for their own behaviour. ... Read more

Product Description
A guide to the sport of fencing, suitable for both the active participant or the passive enthusiast. It features information, photographs and illustrations which explain the core skills, tactics and rules of the game. The book is written and endorsed by the fencing governing body, and it includes photographs of top players and modified rules for young and developing players. ... Read more