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The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations
 
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The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations (Paperback)

~ Sir Richard F. Burton (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
List Price: $12.95
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Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabers: An authorative history and visual directory of edged weapons from around the world, shown in over 600 stunning colour photographs by Harvey J. S. Withers

The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations + The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Swords and Sabers: An authorative history and visual directory of edged weapons from around the world, shown in over 600 stunning colour photographs
Price For Both: $33.46

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Eloquent, exceptionally erudite history of the "Queen of Weapons." Traces sword’s origin—from prehistory to its full growth during early Roman Empire. Discusses earliest weapons of stone, bone, horn and wood as well as variations: sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar and more. Enhanced by nearly 300 excellent line drawings.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Dover Publications (July 1, 1987)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0486254348
  • ISBN-13: 978-0486254340
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #506,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Richard Francis Burton
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Look Inside This Book
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for sword and fencing enthusiasts!, August 15, 1997
By Anita Evangelista (Springfield, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Written in 1884, this book is full of the history and lore of the sword. Richard Burton (not the actor)was a historian, an explorer, and a fencer, and he managed to blend all three interests in this fascinating biography of "the Queen of Weapons." His passion for the sword is obvious as he follows it from its origins in prehistory to Roman times. For Burton, no praise is too great, no detail too small when it comes to the sword. He had a burning desire to illuminate, to tell what he knew, and this he did with the full force of a tidal wave. Originally planned as the first of three volumes, THE BOOK OF THE SWORD unfortunately sold poorly when it was first published, so the later volumes never materialized. Today, the book is recognized for the work of art it truly is. As a fencing master and writer, I recommend this book highly.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTE CLASSIC - THE BEST, November 8, 2004
If you like swords..this book is for you. If you like Victorian writing...this one is for you. Please, before you read the book, realize who wrote it and when he wrote it. The book is very, very detailed. It is written in a style which most are not use to, therefore making it a difficult read for some. Burton, a Master Swordsman, did a tremendous amount of reasearch on this book and it was not written for those looking for a light hearted literary romp. If you are not particularly interested in sharp weapons, word roots or wonderful Victorian writing, then this one may not be for you. On the other hand, if you are a serious student of such, then this one is a must for your book collection. I do wish that more of Burton's writings had been saved. I highly recommend.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Historical masterpiece - a wonderful ancient sword reference, December 6, 2002
By Joel Harding (Washington DC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This book is a highly detailed book on swords and other historical worldwide weapons of war. Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, master of 29 languages, accomplished swordsman, soldier, and scholar, the man who penetrated the forbidden cities of Mecca, Medina, and Harar, and who helped introduce "The Arabian Nights" and "The Kama Sutra" to the western world. Burton was the stuff of legends, a man whose adventures and scholarly achievements have seldom been exceeded sets the stage for the introduction of swords through a review of how weapons developed and evolved into the fine weapons of the ancient britons and the romans. Unfortunately this was written as the first of a series of three books and leaves the reader hanging, the author died before completing volumes two and three - indeed a loss. If nothing else, research this author - you'll choke when you realize what else he has written!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A classic
I'm very please not to have to keep running to the library every time I need this book. It is quite the most complete study of the sword that I have ever read in spite of its... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Linda A. Malcor

2.0 out of 5 stars THE book not about medieval and renaissance swords
This book is not about medieval swords. It starts at the dawn of time and proceeds until the Roman times. Read more
Published on May 24, 2007 by Michael Mittag

3.0 out of 5 stars Difficult read
Burton's style is rather rampling and often digresses into discussions of anchient gods and the like. Read more
Published on November 7, 2006 by D. M. Lester

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work By a Master
This is a wonderful work. Even if you do not care for weapons, etc. it is still a very good bit of Victorian writing..very typical, ver well done. Read more
Published on July 29, 2006 by Book Girl

1.0 out of 5 stars much written...little said
This is one of the worst books I have ever read. The reasons are listed below.

1. Swords? Read more
Published on July 7, 2006 by Towers of Tomes

5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and Engaging Historical Survey!
"The history of the sword is the history of humanity." With these words, British author, Victorian scholar and world traveler Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton begins his... Read more
Published on November 15, 2005 by Jeffrey Peter A. Hauck

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible for the Sword Fancier
I'm not the expert fencer I long to be (yet), but I do have an ever-growing collection of swords, mostly gifts from grateful Spanish patrons, but I've also been able to purchase... Read more
Published on September 1, 2005 by Lew

2.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Detail
The book contained too much detail on manufacturing. I would have preferred the book to cover less ground. Read more
Published on October 2, 2002 by loopio

2.0 out of 5 stars Words, words, words
Burton goes to great length to include every tedious detail imaginable, as he talks about early weapons, ancient peoples, metal ages, and early swords. Read more
Published on January 30, 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book of the Sword
This book is one of the most comprehensive books about swords, their history, their use, and the concepts behind their effectiveness. Read more
Published on December 11, 2001 by seekergh

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