Secrets of the Sword [Paperback]

Baron Cesar de Bazancourt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997

Publisher: London, New York, G. Bell Publication date: 1900 Subjects: Fencing Notes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Laureate Press; 1st edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 188452818X
• ISBN-13: 978-1884528187
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,463,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Fencing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing read, November 3, 1998

By 

GLEN MCFERREN "Esoteric Texan" (The Plains of Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of the Sword (Paperback)

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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all fencers!, December 22, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of the Sword (Paperback)

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

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All fencing books should be this easy to read..., December 16, 1999

By 

Philip Neidlinger (Way Deep Down in the land of cotton....) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Secrets of the Sword (Paperback)

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