The Book of the Sword

[Alberta Ed]

Richard Burton, the famed British author, scholar and world traveler wrote this wonderful book, first published in 1884. The book begins, "The history of the sword is the history of humanity." Covers "the white arm" from wood, bone and horn to wootz: sabres, daggers, throwing knives, from an array of nations and cultures. It has been re-published, unabridged, by Dover Press, ISBN 0-486-25434-8, $9.95 in the US (lots more in Canada). A great read on a cold winter night (-15 F. here currently). All serious knife fanatics will enjoy this. Just wanted to share.

 

[TD]

It really is a great book. I bought mine a few weeks ago. Now, I am thinking of buying a latin dictionary to help me understand those funny qoutations and terms the authors often used. Could anyone suggest other books in the subject of knives and swords please?

 

[Mark Weldon]

If you go over to www.netsword.com and click on the bookstore section they have a whole list of titles broken down by category. Some of my recommendations, in no particular order: anything by Ewart Oakeshott, The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England by Davidson, Secret History of the Sword by J. Christoph Amberger, either of John Clements books, and Swords and Hilt Weapons from Barnes & Noble (great pictures). I don't know enough about Japanese swords to recommend anything in that area.

I would also suggest checing out these websites:
Sword forum International www.swordforum.com
Historical Armed Combat Association www.thehaca.com

It's a fascinating subject. Good luck.

Mark