Books on Fencing

(And a Few on Other Subjects)

The following fencing books are recommended by the club’s instructor. The list is not exhaustive—there are many good fencing books not listed below. The history list in particular has been severely abridged. Fencing books can be very useful, but are no substitute for proper instruction and diligent practice. See below for suggestions on ordering. 

Book reviews by members available in the Member Contribution section.

Epee

 Fencing with the Epee by Roger Crosnier, 1958. A thorough description of classical epee technique, still useful today.

  Epee 2.0: The Birth of the New Paradigm by Johan Harmenberg, 2007. For advanced epeeists and coaches. Some material is controversial and not all coaches agree with the described training regimen. The book is based on the Swedish epeeist’s experiences leading up to his 1977 world championship and 1980 Olympic gold. 

 Epee Combat Manual by Terence Kingston, 2001, 2004. Highly recommended beginning to intermediate text.

  Epee Fencing: A Complete System by Imre Vass (1965, 1976, revised edition 1998). The most thorough epee text ever written. For intermediate to advanced fencers, and coaches at all levels. The revised edition, edited by fencer and publisher Stephan Khinoy, amplifies and supplements the text in places. Vass trained Olympic medalists Béla Rerrich and József Sákovics, both of whom went on to become leading epee masters, the former in Sweden, the latter in Hungary. (The revered Béla Rerrich died in 2005, and József Sákovics in 2009.)

The Dueling Sword by Claude La Marche, translated into English by Brian House. 1884, translated reprint Paladin Press, 2010. Very thorough, and the only early French epee and epee dueling manual available in English. Real swordplay, in other words, and useful even to epeeists today. M. La Marche differs from M. Jacob on some points, particularly on the value of attacks to the body, of which M. La Marche is in favor. Similar varying perspectives are seen in sport epee today. Highly recommended, and useful even to modern competitive epee fencers.

See also Le Jeu de l'Epée and Castello’s The Theory and Practice of Fencing in the “Classical Fencing” section, and the Foil, Epee, and Saber section in general.

Foil, Epee, and Saber

Modern Fencing: Foil, Epee, and Saber by Michel Alaux, 1975. A thorough introduction to all three weapons by one of the great French masters who taught in the US. Short but good sections on bouting tactics, lessons, and conditioning.

The Complete Guide to Fencing, edited by Berndt Barth and Emil Beck, 2007. The German school. A thorough, up-to-date text. Good section on theory and performance. Good epee section.

 Escrime by Raoul Cléry, 1965. In French. A thorough, practical text, one of the best, by one of the great French masters.

 Fencing: Ancient Art and Modern Sport by C-L de Beaumont, 1960, 1970. Revised edition 1978. Solid “classical” text on electric foil and epee, and dry saber by a noted British master and Olympic fencer. Excellent description of the character and characteristics of epee fencing. Good chapters on tactics and training.

 Foil, Saber, and Épée Fencing by Maxwell R. Garret, Emmanuil G. Kaidanov, and Gil A. Pezza, 1994. A beginning to intermediate text.

 Fencing: The Modern International Style by Istvan Lukovich, 1975, 1986. By the author of the noted Electric Foil Fencing.

 Fencing: Techniques of Foil, Epee and Sabre by Brian Pitman, 1988. Solid beginning to intermediate text.

 Fencing by Bac H. Tau, 1994(?). Includes thorough sections on training, tactics, and weapon repair. Deserves more attention than it has perhaps received.

 Fencing: What a Sportsman Should Know About Technique and Tactics by David  A. Tyshler and Gennady D. Tyshler, 1995. Good information but a very poor translation from Russian. Supplement with the Tyshler DVDs (available from many fencing equipment suppliers), or better yet, simply refer to the DVDs. David Tyshler is a Russian master and Olympic and world championship medalist; Gennady Tyshler is a leading Russian master.

Foil

 Foil Fencing by Muriel Bower [Muriel Taitt]. Numerous editions from 1966 on, prefer the latest (1996, Muriel Taitt). Solid beginning foil text, used over the four decades by thousands of beginning fencers.

 Electric Foil Fencing by Istvan Lukovich, 1971, 1998. Perhaps the most thorough foil text, with an excellent section on fencing theory.

 Foil and The Revised Foil by Charles Selberg, 1975 and 1993 respectively. Thorough and useful, with a good section on tactics. Prefer the 1993 Revised Foil. Selberg also produced an extensive selection of instructional videos. Now on DVD, they are available from American Fencers Supply.

 Basic Foil Fencing by Charles Simonian, 2005. A solid introductory text.

Saber

 Theory, Tactics, Teaching, and Training

 Understanding Fencing by Zbigniew Czajkowski, 2005. Recommended for fencers and coaches interested in practical theory. Czajkowski is a leading Polish master whose students in all three weapons have earned gold at the Olympics and world championships.

 A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology by William M. Gaugler, 1997. A well-researched fencing dictionary.

 One Touch at a Time by Aladar Kogler, 2005. The psychology and tactics of competitive fencing, by an Olympic coach and noted sports psychologist.

 Escrime: Enseignement et entraînement by Daniel Popelin, 2002. In French. The theory and practice of teaching fencing and training fencers.

 Fencing and the Master by László Szabó, 1977, 1997. Forward by Dr. Eugene Hamori, a student of Szabó’s, in the 1997 edition. The best book ever written on the subject of teaching fencing. Excellent material on theory and other aspects of fencing. The fencing coach’s vade-mecum. Szabó was one of Italo Santelli’s protégés and a close friend of Dr. Francis Zold.

 Theory, Methods and Exercises in Fencing by Ziemowit Wojciechowski, 1986(?). By a world-class fencer and master. Foil-based, but still an excellent book for fencers and coaches of all three weapons. Good information on evaluating and dealing with an opponent’s tactical style.

“Classical Fencing”

(Modern Non- Electrical Technique)

 Several of the following books (Barbasetti, Gaugler) use a classical Italian parrying system (there are several) and its numbering, as opposed to the French or modified French systems and numbering preferred by most teachers today.

 The Art of the Foil by Luigi Barbasetti, 1932. The Italian foil. Includes a succinct but thorough history of fencing, a good section on tactics, and a glossary of fencing terms in English, French, Italian, and German.  A useful book for epeeists as well.

 The Art of the Sabre and the Epee by Luigi Barbasetti, 1936. The epee section is sparse, and refers the student to the foil for much technique.

 The Theory and Practice of Fencing by Julio Martinez Castelló, 1933. The early 20th century Spanish school, incorporating the best of the French and Italian. Good description of the two classical epee styles (“straight arm” and “bent arm”).

 The Science of Fencing by William M. Gaugler, 1997. A thorough modern description of classical Italian foil, epee, and saber technique.

 On Fencing by Aldo Nadi, 1943, 1994. A famous Italian fencer’s thoughts on technique and competition. Nadi despised the French grip.

 Fencing by Joseph Vince, 1937, 1940. Illustrated by competitive fencer and swashbuckling actor Cornel Wilde. Vince was a US national coach and national saber champion who kept a salle in Beverly Hills for decades.

Useful Japanese Texts

 Tengu Geijutsuron (The Demon’s Sermon on the Martial Arts) by Issai Chozanshi [Niwa Jurozaemon Tadaaki], translated by William Scott Wilson, 2006. Includes the famous story illustrating the psychology of swordplay, Neko no Myojutsu (The Mysterious Technique of the Cat). Originally written in the early 18th century.

 Heihō Kaden Sho (The Sword and the Mind) by Kamiizumi Hidetsuna, Yagyū Muneyoshi, and Yagyū Munenori, translated by Hiroaki Sato, 1985. Originally compiled in the 17th century.

Go Rin No Sho (A Book of Five Rings) by Miyamoto Musashi, translated by Victor Harris, 1974. Completed in 1645, shortly before the author’s death. Numerous editions available, including an excellent translation by William Scott Wilson. A classic on swordplay, strategy, and tactics.

 The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Sōhō, translated by William Scott Wilson, 1986. Three essays on swordsmanship (Fudōchishinmyōroku, Reirōshū, and Taiaki) by a Zen master and contemporary of Musashi. Written in the early 17th century.

Historical Fencing

  Paradoxes of Defence by George Silver, 1599, reprint 1968 et al. A vigorous defense of English swordplay and excoriation of the rapier and rapier play. Contains perhaps the best description ever put to paper of the virtues of fencing.

 Gran Simulacro by Ridolfo Capo Ferro, 1610, 1629. A beautiful 2004 edition, Italian Rapier Combat: Capo Ferro’s ‘Gran Simulacro,’ edited by Jared Kirby, is available.

 Libro de Jeronimo de Carranza, que trata de la filosfia de las armas y de su destreza, y de la aggression y defension Christiana byJeronimo de Carranza, 1582. Add to this the works of his student, don Luis Pacheco y Narvaez. Exposition of la verdadera destreza, or true art. Necessary for understanding one of the major schools of Spanish rapier. Based much on complex geometric forms, the system could be taught without them, and probably was in many cases, although its apparent complexity was surely lucrative for fencing masters whose students were eager for “secret knowledge”—swordplay wrapped in unnecessary esoterica, that is. The system was scathingly and brilliantly lampooned by poet and swordsman Francisco de Quevedo in El Buscón.

 Las Tretas de la Vulgar y Comun Esgrima, de Espadas Sola, y Con Armas Dobles by Manuel Cruzado y Peralta. Saragossa, Spain: 1702. The practical swordplay of rapier and dagger and single rapier probably used by most Spaniards in the 17th and 18th centuries, as opposed to the verdadera destreza described above.

L'Arte di Ben Maneggiare la Spada by Francesco Ferdinando Alfieri, 1653. Beautifully and graphically illustrated treatise of the Italian spada, both of single sword and sword and dagger.

 Regole Della Scherma by Francesco Antonio Marcelli, 1686. Detailed, practical study of the Italian spada, including single sword, sword and dagger, and sword versus other arms and vice versa. Dedicated to Queen Christina of Sweden, who had abdicated her throne and now resided in Rome.

 Le Maître d'Armes ou L'Exercice de l'Epée Seule dans sa Perfection by Andre Wernesson, Sieur de Liancour, 1692. An excellent study of the smallsword.

L'Art des Armes by the Sieur Labat, 1696. English translation (The Art of Fencing) by Andrew Mahon, 1734. Another excellent study of the smallsword, although Labat, like de Liancour, was not as practical-minded regarding the smallsword in sudden rencontres, street fights, and the battlefield as some authors were. From his work it is easy to see the origins of sport fencing, aka foil fencing.

 The English Master of Defence: or, the Gentleman’s Al-a-Mode Accomplishment by Zackary Wylde, 1711. A difficult read at times, especially for those without a strong base in both classical fencing and smallsword technique, not to mention in English syntax and phrases circa 1700, but the language is colorful, the writer charmingly self-confident, and his descriptions—once deciphered—proof that there is little new in “modern” fencing. Covers smallsword, broadsword, quarterstaff, and wrestling techniques.

 Highland Swordsmanship, edited by Mark Rector, 2001. Early 18th century fencing manuals by Donald McBane (The Expert Sword-Man’s Companion, 1728) and Sir William Hope (A New, Short, and Easy Method of Fencing, 1727). McBane was a soldier, swordsman, fencing master, duelist, prize fighter, and pimp; Hope was an astute amateur. McBane’s book is highly recommended. Hope has some excellent theoretical and practical points to make, although the described technique centers on the hanging guard, very useful in some circumstances. His earlier works, however, largely reflect the French school, and are highly recommended, especially The Compleat Fencing-Master. (In general, disregard the photographs of McBane’s technique in Highland Swordsmanship, and refer instead to his descriptions.)

 Traité des Armes by P. J. F. Girard, 1737, 1740. Almost certainly the best book on the smallsword ever written. Not only beautifully illustrated, the book describes smallsword technique in detail, including its use on the battlefield. It emphasizes practical swordplay for the duel as well as for the affray or rencontre, and battle. Girard was a naval officer. Highly recommended.

 The Use of the Broad Sword by Thomas Page. Norwich, England: M. Chase, 1746. 18th century broadsword technique, including that of the Scottish Highlanders, applicable also to the backsword and cutlass.

  The School of Fencing by Domenico Angelo, 1787. Several modern reprints available. The height of the 18th century French school of the smallsword, by now strictly a dueling arm and accoutrement of dress.

  Highland Broadsword, edited by Paul Wagner and Mark Rector, 2004. Five late 18th and early 19^th century broadsword manuals (Anti-Pugilism by “a Highland Officer,” 1790; MacGregor’s Lecture on the Art of Defence, 1791; On the Use of the Broadsword by Henry Angelo, 1817; The Art of Defence on Foot with the Broad Sword and Saber, by R. K. Porter, 1804; and Fencing Familiarized, by Thomas Mathewson, 1805).

 Les Secrets de l'Epée by Baron César de Bazancourt, 1862, published in English as Secrets of the Sword in 1900, reprint 1998. Practical advice from the mid-19th century. A similar work, The Sentiment of the Sword: A Country-house Dialogue by explorer and adventurer Sir Richard Burton, was published in 1911.

 Le Jeu de l'Epée by Jules Jacob, 1887. Lessons of the fencing master who essentially created modern epee. By the third quarter of the18th century the foil had become a “weapon” of pure sport. Jules adapted smallsword technique to create a form of swordplay suitable to surviving a duel with the 19^th century épée de combat, or epee, as its modern descendant is called. His book outraged many foil purists. It points out the difference between the jeu de salle (sport fencing) and the jeu de terrain (swordplay of the duel), and reminds us that many of the best duelists were usually not “forts tireurs”—good sport fencers,  that is. The same would doubtless be true today. Highly recommended.

 The Dueling Sword by Claude La Marche. See the Epee section above.

 Cold Steel by Alfred Hutton, 1889, modern reprints available. Practical swordplay for the light saber or even backsword, and also the “great sword” and stick. Highly recommended.

 Broadsword and Singlestick by R. C. Allanson-Winn, 1890, reprints 2006, 2009 . Excellent work on practical swordplay, highly recommended.

History

 The Secret History of the Sword by Christoph Amberger, 1999. By a veteran of the Mensur.

Croiser le Fer: Violence et Culture de L’épée dans la France Modern (XVIe-XVIIIe Siècle) by Pascal Brioist, Hervé Drévillon, and Pierre Serna, 2002. In French. Excellent scholarly study of swordplay and dueling in France from the 16th to 18th centuries. Highly recommended.

Schools and Masters of Fence by Egerton Castle, 1885, reprints 1968, 2003. European fencing to the late 19th century. Highly recommended.

By the Sword by Richard Cohen, 2002. A history of fencing, including the modern schools, by a British Olympic fencer. Highly recommended.

The History of Fencing by William M. Gaugler, 1998. A detailed history and analysis of the Italian schools into the first half of the 20th century, with a fair, if limited, discussion of French schools. The modern schools, including the revolutionary Hungarian (or Hungarian-Italian) saber school, are not described.

Old Sword Play by Alfred Hutton, 1892, reprint 2001. A brief description of European fencing technique over the ages.

 The Sword and the Centuries by Alfred Hutton, 1901, reprint 1995. A history of European fencing and swords.

 Martini A-Z of Fencing by E.D. Morton, 1988. Not a book on fencing history per se, but a compendium that includes much fencing history, as well as fencing terms, concepts, and trivia.

Swordsmen of the Screen: From Douglas Fairbanks to Michael York by Jeffrey Richards, 1977. The history of swordsmen and swordswomen in film to 1977. Swashbuckling actors and the fencing masters who doubled for them.

Books by Members

 The Great Pirate Legends Debunked: Authentic Details of Sea Rover History More Extraordinary Than the Myths (working title), by Benerson Little. (Forthcoming, Fair Winds Press, November 2011).

 How History's Greatest Pirates Pillaged, Plundered, and Got Away With It: The Stories, Techniques, and Tactics of the Most Feared Buccaneers from 1500-1800 by Benerson Little (Fair Winds Press, 2010).

 Pirate Hunting: The Fight Against Pirates, Privateers, and Sea Raiders From Antiquity to the Present by Benerson Little (Potomac Books, 2010).

 The Buccaneer’s Realm: Pirate Life on the Spanish Main, 1674-1688 by Benerson Little (Potomac Books, 2007).

 The Sea Rover’s Practice: Pirate Tactics and Techniques, 1630-1730 by Benerson Little (Potomac Books, 2005).

  Computational Drug Design: Things that All Drug Designers Should Know by David Young (Wiley, 2009).

 Computational Chemistry: A Practical Guide for Applying Techniques to Real World Problems by David Young (Wiley, 2001).

Suggestions on Ordering

Several of the listed titles (Czajkowski, Harmenberg, Kogler, Lukovich, Szabo, Borysiuk and Vass) are available directly from the publisher, Swordplay Books Online (http://www.swordplaybooks.com/), and delivery is often quicker here than in going through a third party vendor. Other titles may be ordered from various online retailers, and occasionally may be found in bookstores. A number of the titles listed are out of print. Some of the eighteenth century titles in English are published as inexpensive reprints by Gale Ecco. Bookfinder.com compares prices of books in and out of print among online retailers, including independent booksellers; Fetchbook.info compares prices among online retailers and some of the major independent bookstores; and Abebooks.com and Alibris.com permit title searches through the stock of thousands of independent booksellers. Search these sites before searching on eBbay—although some books on eBay are good deals, some are grossly overpriced or over-bid.

 Many fencing suppliers also carry fencing books in stock. Some libraries carry fencing books, although the selection is often slim. Some of the older titles are in the public domain and are available as .pdf files on Google Books and other electronic book sites. Many of the books listed above are dated in regard to modern competitive rules, practices, and uniform and equipment requirements. Always refer to the current USFA rule book and USFA operations manual for competition rules and regulations. Both are available for download at http://fencing.teamusa.org/.

Copyright 2008 Benerson Little