The Beginner"s Guide to the Long Sword: European Martial Arts Weaponry Technique, by Steaphen Fick - http://www.myArmoury.com/books/item.php?ASIN=0897501780
Has anyone read this new book yet? If you have, what do you think of it?
Nice Borderwatch on the cover. I haven't read it, in fact I found out about it from this post. I did however order it from Barns and Noble so I'll give it a read when it comes in and share a thought or two.
| Mike Capanelli wrote: |
| Nice Borderwatch on the cover. |
Why would they put a sword with a fantasy design on the cover of a historical martial arts book? I don't get it.
| Nathan Robinson wrote: | ||
Why would they put a sword with a fantasy design on the cover of a historical martial arts book? I don't get it. |
Maybe it's photogenic? :p Or they could be trying to tap the fantasy/LOTR bunch perhaps? We'll know more on Wednesday when the book gets here.
| Mike Capanelli wrote: |
| Or they could be trying to tap the fantasy/LOTR bunch perhaps? |
In that regard, I think it was a good choice. There's something to be said about transitioning people into the hobby of historical sword and sword art appreciation.
While we're waiting for the book, let's check out the author. Or namely his school, D.E.M.A.S. Their located in Cali so I won't be popping in any time soon. Let's hope it's a good book.
http://www.knight2day.com/index.html
http://www.knight2day.com/index.html
I have not yet seen the book, but I did have the pleasure of meeting its author at ISMAC in 2008, and taking a class under his instruction ("Controlling the Centerline"). If the book conveys even a portion of his experience, enthusiasm, and effective practicality in approaching the art of the longsword, then I've little doubt it is worth the purchase.
Well I ordered the book as well. At 13 bucks at amazon, why not. And I have met the author once and was impressed with him so it seemed like a safe gamble. And a beginner primer book is never a bad thing to have around. I really should get around to ordering Mr. Toblerīs books at some point too.
If a fantasy sword is going on the cover, then the Borderwatch is the one to pick as the fantasy design that looks most like a genuine medieval sword.
I'm afraid I must offer a dissenting opinion. While I haven't seen this book, I did read Mr. Fick's recent article in Renaissance Magazine (issue 66 p12). In this short, unreferenced work he proposes that an escorted lady can be used as an "offhand weapon" for an Elizabethan rapier fencer by swinging her centrifugally at an opponent.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate.
ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't)
| Nat Lamb wrote: |
| ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't) |
True enough. All that proves is that these two guys have very different senses of humor.
| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: |
| I'm afraid I must offer a dissenting opinion. While I haven't seen this book, I did read Mr. Fick's recent article in Renaissance Magazine (issue 66 p12). In this short, unreferenced work he proposes that an escorted lady can be used as an "offhand weapon" for an Elizabethan rapier fencer by swinging her centrifugally at an opponent.
The physiological and practical fallacies of this "technique" should be obvious, and the mere suggestion does not inspire confidence in him. In light of it, the fantasy sword cover does seem appropriate. |
Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny. ;) But then I have a weird and at times an extreme sense of humour that I don't indulge ( much here ) in on line since writing, tongue in cheek, just causes misunderstandings and hurt feelings. But face to face I love sardonic and sarcastic humour as long as the intent is not really mean spirited.
Well, not very gallant, but while the opponent's sword is stuck in the lady one has an opening to use one's rapier. :eek: ( OUCH), but a little " unpleasant " for the lady. ( Just an example of " sardonic " ..... don't take offence. ;) :cool: ).
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | ||
Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny. ;) But then I have a weird and at times an extreme sense of humour that I don't indulge ( much here ) in on line since writing, tongue in cheek, just causes misunderstandings and hurt feelings. But face to face I love sardonic and sarcastic humour as long as the intent is not really mean spirited. Well, not very gallant, but while the opponent's sword is stuck in the lady one has an opening to use one's rapier. :eek: ( OUCH), but a little " unpleasant " for the lady. ( Just an example of " sardonic " ..... don't take offence. ;) :cool: ). |
That puts a whole new spin on the old "Take my wife, please" joke now doesn't it.
If nothing else, it puts a whole new spin on putting on 'a whole new spin'.
| Nat Lamb wrote: |
| ummmm, are you certain it wasn't an attempt at humour? Because if it was, it is unfar to judge the quality of his fencing knowledge/experience by the quality of his jokes (the two are very often not related, otherwise I would be world class swordsman... and I isn't) |
| Jean Thibodeau wrote: |
| Well, it's obviously a joke and unless one gets super PC about it and is looking for a reason to find it offensive I thinks it's funny |
Friends,
I'm saddened that you assume unfairness on my part, instead of reading his article (I even provided the reference!) and judging for yourselves. From the article:
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker."
| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: |
|
"... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker." |
That poor woman! I wonder, who does she strike with her fist, the opponent, or her husband? - maybe both?
| Roger Hooper wrote: | ||
That poor woman! I wonder, who does she strike with her fist, the opponent, or her husband? - maybe both? |
My wife would become the attacker if I tried that! :eek: But seriously until I read for myself the book and article in question it's hard to draw an opinion. Even if the article isn't a jest the book and the rest of his technique may be sound, if not a little quirky. It's too easy to judge without seeing all sides first. It's the span of a persons work that should speak for him, not one article. If everyone judged me from my weirder songs I'd never work. It's the scope of the work in question that matters to me at least, not one particular point. I'm sure if you examine anyone you'll find flaw in a point here and there. All you have to do is look hard and long enough.
| Ruel A. Macaraeg wrote: | ||||
Friends, I'm saddened that you assume unfairness on my part, instead of reading his article (I even provided the reference!) and judging for yourselves. From the article: "... I have even practiced with my wife as an offhand weapon. Nobody expects the lady's left hand to come flying at them from the side. Instead of pushing her behind me, I fling my wife to my right side and she extends her left hand in a fist. As she passes in front of me, I draw my sword behind her. As she continues past me and around towards my right side I am able to strike the attacker." |
Umm using just that small selected quote doesn't really prove anything...and even with that small quote I can still see the article as a sardonic jest article (depending on what is said before your ... ). Now I do admit that I didn't read the full article (and wont be able to unless there is a web version of it up somewhere) and it may very well be a serious article...but I wont judge an article by a few sentences...nor will I judge a man's works by one article.
Well he's obviously going for surprise... but whose surprise? :eek:
For this to work you'd need someone to fling who knew what you were doing. Not too many people are going to want to be pushed towards someone with a knife, sword, or gun. And I could see valuable time being stolen while the fling-er is trying to force the fling-ee.
You could possibly just be giving your attacker a hostage!
For this to work you may also need an honourable foe who is not going to stab your arm candy... though an honourable foe would probably let you draw your weapon?
Though someone mentioned the term "escorted lady" perhaps this was supposed to be an "escort lady" or "lady of negotiable affections"? This may make it a viable option for the stone hearted! :surprised:
For this to work you'd need someone to fling who knew what you were doing. Not too many people are going to want to be pushed towards someone with a knife, sword, or gun. And I could see valuable time being stolen while the fling-er is trying to force the fling-ee.
You could possibly just be giving your attacker a hostage!
For this to work you may also need an honourable foe who is not going to stab your arm candy... though an honourable foe would probably let you draw your weapon?
Though someone mentioned the term "escorted lady" perhaps this was supposed to be an "escort lady" or "lady of negotiable affections"? This may make it a viable option for the stone hearted! :surprised:
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