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Arms & Armor Italian Rapier Combat by Ridolfo Capo Ferro, Jared Kirby, Ramon Martinez, and Jeannette Acosta-Martinez / $39.95 / Stackpole Books / 2004 Ridolfo Capo Ferro's 17th-century Gran Simulacro of 1610 is, without a doubt, one of the most important books on swordsmanship ever written. Within its pages are found not only the pinnacle of the art of renaissance rapier play, but the foundations of modern fencing as well. Jared Kirby has done a great service in bringing a modern edition of Capo Ferro to press, translated by Kirby and the husband-and-wife team of fencing masters Ramon Martinez and Jeannette Acosta-Martinez. Though the translation is a bit awkward at times-the result of trying to preserve both its archaic feel and the technical meaning of the original Italian-it requires only a bit of patience to fully understand the text. This is, in a large part, due to the outstanding quality of the original work. Capo Ferro proceeds in a logical manner, beginning with the most basic theories and premises of the art, before advancing to more sophisticated concepts and techniques. Those familiar with fencing will be struck both by the similarities and the differences between 16th-century fencing and modern theory and pedagogy. However, those who are new to fencing will find their effort to comprehend the book rewarded with a wealth of ideas, including not just how men fought, but why. It is completed with 43 illustrations that detail the techniques. If one were to quibble, it would be with the title of the volume, since Capo Ferro clearly describes both fencing and the civilian duel, neither of which is quite "combat" in the modern sense. (However, it must be admitted that the title The Italian Art of Self-Defense with the Rapier does not quite have the same ring to it.) It also would have been helpful to have had the translation laid out side-by-side with the original text instead of sequentially, so that one could conveniently compare Capo Ferro's Italian to the translation. Overall, though, this is a handsome volume, a well-produced and much-needed text that is sure to be appreciated by all those touched by the romance and deadliness of the rapier. —Ken Mondschein

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