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Browse our Categories! Historical Non-Fiction (A-H) Miscellaneous Fiction
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The Secret History of the Sword: Adventures in Ancient Martial Arts
by J. Christoph Amberger Free / Hammerterz Verlag / 1996 Traditional myths and legends about fencing and swordplay are debunked in The Secret History of the Sword, a collection of essays on weaponry. The 45-page booklet includes a bibliography, information on how to order some notable books on historical swordplay, and a few dozen b/w line illustrations. Contrary to the widely-held view that modern fencing represents the pinnacle of the Western martial arts tradition, author J. Amberger maintains that not only have more deadly and skillful Western traditions existed, but also that modern fencing can be compared to "evolutionary oddities," such as the exotic colors of tropical fish. Presumably, there are many in the fencing community who disagree with Amberger's attitude. Nonetheless, his essays and premises are fully researched and footnoted. Amberger's scholarly methods have not generally been utilized by the modern fencing masters, and while the works of modern masters are based on practical experience, the historic background tendered by many of them should often be dismissed (e.g., Olympic Champion Aldo Nadi boasted that he had never read more than a single line from any book on fencing, yet still put spurious historical notions about swordplay into his written works). Amberger is himself an accomplished fencer, and has the scars to prove it. While it is unlikely Amberger could defeat a champion like Nadi in a by-the-rules fencing match, it is much more likely that he could hold his own if the rules went out the window, and a certainty that he could crush Nadi in a historical discussion on swordplay. —Capt. Mikal Warchola of Carpathia |
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