Fighting with the German Longsword [Paperback]

Christian Henry Tobler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2004

Christian Henry Tobler presents a "how-to" course of study for learning Liechtenauer's secret art. Topics include the concepts of timing, distance, and initiative, proper footwork, guards, strokes and thrust with the sword, including Liechtenauer's "Master Strokes", and close quarters combat. Illustrated with hundreds of instructional photographs.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mr. Tobler has been a student of swordsmanship for more than twenty years. Since 1999 he has been a structural pillar within the historical swordsmanship community, championing the German system, especially in North America. His abilities are lauded worldwide, and he is an acknowledged expert on the German system of Johannes Liechtenauer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Chivalry Bookshelf (July 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891448242
• ISBN-13: 978-1891448249
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,025,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to fight with a sword, February 12, 2006

By 

Stephen Hand (Hobart, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting with the German Longsword (Paperback)

Some years ago a gentleman selling books told me that the vast majority of people who pick up a book about swordsmanship, don't particularly care about the historical detail. As long as they know it's a historically valid system, all they care about is whether the book can help them learn to swordfight.

Christian Tobler's first book, Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship is a fine book, analysing Sigmund Ringeck's 15th century combat treatise. In Fighting with the German Longsword, Christian has taken a simpler approach. Essentially he says, I have read and interpreted a whole bunch of 14th-16th century German works on swordsmanship, and based on them, this is how I teach my students. We have enough historical detail to convince us that this is a genuine historical art, used in real combat by medieval kights (and hence immeasurably superior to any modern made up system), but beyond that, we are just taught how to fight with a sword, in a series of straight forward and logical lessons. The book is presented clearly, with nice photos, well written explanatory text and a clear progression through the skills involved in mastering the art.

Anyone wanting to learn how to use a longsword, the late medieval knightly sword, used in two hands on foot, should make sure they obtain a copy of Fighting with the German Longsword.

Stephen Hand
Author, English Swordsmanship, Medieval Sword and Shield
Editor, Spada, Spada II

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a refernce book, it's a long-distance teacher!, May 6, 2005

By 

Jessica Finley (Topeka, KS, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fighting with the German Longsword (Paperback)

If you have ever wondered, "Can I learn to fight with a Longsword" this is the book for you. Christian Tobler answers that question with a definitive "yes" and backs up his assertion with an incredibly clear and precise teaching manual.

"Fighting" opens with a discussion and explanation of the knightly art of defense and provides grounding in the masters of the art. However, he moves quickly on to modern considerations of safety and practice tools. This is invaluable information for the modern practitioner of the art, as until now the only way to determine what tools one should invest in were internet searches and guesswork.

Then we enter, as students, into the meat of the work, which is practical information on the art. The basics of footwork, balance and timing are not neglected or assumed, but are explored with depth, as are the Guards and Wounders. From there, the manual moves through the Five Master Strikes, Wrestling, Winding and finally, though the main focus of the manual is on unarmored combat, ending with Armored Combat.

The uniqueness of this manual is in its teaching ability. Each concept is presented first theoretically, and then is followed up on with drills to physically impart the concept to the student. It's not just a read-along where you spend your time imagining someone else performing the technique, but rather a book which encourages you to get a partner, grab a waster, and try out the techniques for yourself. Finally, most chapters wrap up the techniques with a decision-tree, further reinforcing the use of each technique in its proper place. This means that each technique is presented at least three different ways, aiding the student in his learning process.

Though the book is filled with numerous photos, charts and drawings, the real prize is in the text. Mr. Tobler took the care to ensure that a person who simply read the text would fully understand the concept. He did not rely upon the pictures to tell the story as so many other Martial Arts books do, but rather the pictures merely support what he already told you in words.

I can say without a doubt that if you want to learn to use a Longsword in the German style, but have no access to a teacher or school in your area, you can do so with this book. In fact, I own two copies, one that goes about everywhere with me, one that stays at home. Order it today, you will not be disappointed.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You want to learn German longsword? You got it., November 16, 2004

By 

William H. Grandy (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting with the German Longsword (Paperback)

There have been a number of books in recent years that have addressed the use of the European longsword, but very few have taken a specific historical martial art, picked it apart, and presented it in a clear, logical way, as Christian Tobler does here in Fighting with the German Longsword.

This is not just an collection of techniques from German masters in the Liechtanauer tradition of fighting: It is a how to guide, one that presents the basics of footwork and body mechanics, and building off them with the core concepts and techniques to embody the reader with a good sense of the foundation of this system. One of the really excellent things about this book is that a complete novice can read it and grasp the concepts easily, while a seasoned practitioner can still read it from cover to cover and learn from it.

Fundamental concepts such as distance and timing are discussed, primary and secondary guards, feeling your opponent's actions through the blade, and understanding the five master strikes. While the majority of the book in focused on fighting without armor, it does go into armored fighting as well, and there is even a small section on spear, which helps illustrate key longsword concepts such as winding. There is also a section showing major concepts in unarmed fighting, as this forms the basis of much of the longsword.

Christian Tobler is also to be commended for his honest approach to research. The text is full of examples of where the techniques came from out of period manuscripts, and Christian clearly admits where he has stepped in to fill in some of the blanks that are not explicitly clear in the original texts. Naturally there are differences in interpretation amongst practitioners, but even the places where Christian has had to take some creative liberties, he is still making sure that his interpretations are as faithful to the system as possible.

Who benefits from this book? If you are a practitioner of the Liechtanauer school, then the answer is obvious. If you are a practitioner of a different school of longsword, this is a perfect way to get a broad understanding of how this system works. If you are a sword enthusiast, reenactor, historian or collector, you will undoubtedly find the book a great read. If I had to recommend a book that wasn't a primary source for an example of what a Western martial art should look like, this would be the book.