The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor)
by Sir Richard F. Burton
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sir Richard F. BurtonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1987-07-01
ISBN: 0486254348
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: Dover Publications
Book Reviews of The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor)
Book Review: Detailed and Engaging Historical Survey!
Summary: 5 Stars
"The history of the sword is the history of humanity." With these words, British author, Victorian scholar and world traveler Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton begins his eloquent and exceptionally erudite history of the "Queen of Weapons."
Spanning the centuries and a wide range of cultures, Burton's rich and elegant prose illuminates the sword as both armament and potent symbol. For nearly all peoples of the world, the sword embodies the spirit of chivalry, symbolized justice and martyrdom and represented courage and freedom. In battle, it served universally as a deadly offensive weapon.
Drawing on a wealth of literary, archaeological, anthropological, linguistic and other sources, the author traces the sword's origins, from its birth as a charred and sharpened stick, through its diverse stages of development, to its full growth in the early Roman Empire. Recounting man's long associations with this weapon, the author describes in brilliant detail:
The ages of wood, bone and horn. The appearance of stone swords and exotic weapons such as the boomerang. The ages of copper and alloys such as bronze and brass--used in producing the long, narrow blades of rapiers. The Iron Age during which the Viking sword of carbonized iron took shape--a weapon whose form would set the standard for the next thousand years.
Enhanced by nearly 300 excellent line drawings, the text provides an incredible wealth of detailed data about the sword and its variations: sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar, rapier, foil, and a host of other arms, including dirks, daggers, throwing knives, flails and much more.
Military and social historians, scholars and students of weaponry will find this volume a fascinating, abunantly illustrated and highly readable account of this potent symbol of power. Five stars.
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Summary of The Book of the Sword: With 293 Illustrations (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor)
Eloquent, exceptionally erudite history of the "Queen of Weapons." Traces sword's origin ? from prehistory to its full growth during early Roman Empire. Discusses earliest weapons of stone, bone, horn and wood as well as variations: sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar and more. Enhanced by nearly 300 excellent line drawings.
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