The Academy of the Sword

There are lots of ways to look at this book, so I'll take them one at a time.As a fencing instructional text - obscure... "Academy of the Sword" is so detailed, complete, and complex that it is very difficult to follow as a fencing instructional text. Thibault's system includes considering the blade of the sword as being divided into 12 parts rather than the more common 2 or 3 (forte, foible, and sometimes medium). Descriptions of each movement are incredibly detailed, and well illustrated, but the overall effect is overwhelming. The system itself is Spanish fencing, radically different from French and Italian styles that have evolved into modern sport fencing, but the obscurity of the system only adds to the obscurity of Thibault's text. The one of the elements differentiating Spanish fencing from others is the use of a complex geometric pattern based on a circle and its diameter and chords as a training tool, and the circle shows up dozens of times in every illustration. Another difference is the upright posture and manner of holding the sword arm straight out from the torso; very different from modern sport fencing, but there had to be something to it as Spanish fencers were well respected in the period (n.b. George Silver's observations on Spanish style fencing in "Paradoxes of Defence" circa 1599). Typical of the period, the discussion of the circle integrates mathematics, geometry, anatomy, and a hint of mysticism. There is much to be learned here, but it is not for someone with only a passing or casual interest in Spanish fencing. This is a reflection of the author and target audience, scholars and educated men of the 1600s pursuing the art of the sword, rather than ruffians or the soldiers of the period.As a scholarly translation of a renaissance text - Brilliant! This was clearly someone's passion for a long time, and the translation in to contemporary English flows well, and from the bits of the original shown in the illustrations that I could piece together, seems faithful to the letter and spirit.As a book of reproductions of renaissance illustrations - Brilliant! The illustrations are beautifully reproduced, and they are incredible in themselves. Line etchings, but so detailed and packed with ornementation in the corners and between the illustrations of the fencers that they engage the reader as much as the text. As technical illustrations, they are busy and crowded, but well drawn, and absolutely consistent with the text.As an inspiration for a conspiracy theorist - Brilliant! This book could inspire conspiracy theorists for years to come ("What does the cherub looking at the mystic circle on the side of the pillar -REALLY- mean?"). It's a thing of beauty, but it would be easy to perceive hints of a complex secret in the rich subtleties of the illustrations and the fencing text.I enjoyed it tremendously, and my hat's off to the translator whose diligence has yielded such magnificent results, as well as to the original author and illustrators.

If you have the first edition of the translation without images do not bother buying the new version. I use the original text in an archive for PhD research. The reproduced images I. This new edition are very very very few compared to the actual text and of very poor quality. If you do not have access at all to the original text maybe it provides some benefit or if you do not have the first translation. However if you already have the translation do not bother especially for the price. The originally illustrations are not given any form of justice in this book.

Amazing. Best if you’re a advanced student of the western mysteries & Fencing.

I am really enjoying this. I have never seen a martial out so completely and scientifically thought out as this.Truly Incredbile.A classis well worth studying.David

Wonderful and thorough !!!

This is a good addition to the WMA practitioner's bookshelf. I like Thibault's attitude. He's aggressive. Unfortunately, he's also convinced of the martial superiority of the long rapier, which is admittedly pretty deadly in his system, but I have strong reservations about whether any rapier system can function, as he implies, against other types of weapons.

This is both well written and fascinating.A lot of quality information in this book

this is a rare book, I been searching for a copy at a reasonable rate, and this is it. While the pictures are good, I prefer the colored original, but the b/w are excellent. This is one of the few text dealing with the Spanish sword fighting style which uses circles, in fact, many of the sword movements are similar to the Chinese bagua system (which also utilizes circles) it is magical. While many of the terms are obscure, you can figure it out from the pictures if the translationdidn't make sense. The last section on sword versus a matchlock is very funny.

First and foremost, as a manuscript about Thibault's instruction on the rapier, this is a 5 star book. Easily a HEMA masterpiece. My main two criticisms with this particular print is the overall size, and the illustrations appear of lower quality compared to previous prints.The previous prints of this book were quite large, which were very helpful for his illustrations and circles. The illustrations were particularly crisp as well. This particular print is noticeably smaller, and honestly, quite a disappointment in comparison (especially since the illustrations feel blurrier). The Amazon rating system writes 2 stars as "I don't like it", and honestly that's kind of how I feel about this particular version of the print. I'm super grateful for Greer's translations and AEON's books as a publisher to be able to get this wonderful piece in our hands. Having this is better than nothing. But, again, compared to previous prints this one is a disappointment. I'd be happier to pay more for a larger size if that was the issue.For the translation and this piece as a rapier manuscript I give it 100%, 5/5 stars, but this particular print in comparison to previous ones, 2 stars for the considerably smaller size and mildly blurry illustrations. If this was the only time you would be buying this book, I'd recommend it 100%. Get it. But if you're looking at a backup or replacement to your previous versions, this simply won't do.

Parla del nulla in maniera oscura !Ma di cosa parla ? A che si riferisce ??Che posizione descrive ?Non essendo per nulla chiaro , ne' essendovi immagini ...... IL LIBRO e' oscuro e INCOMPRENSIBILE a chiunque !!!I cerchi non si capisce dove li fa, in che direzione , a che scopo ...... che si ottiene !Un NULLA di LIBRO !E' uno scherzo o cosa ????Non perdete tempo !P.S. Sicuramente mancano le immagini o un ausilio alla comprensione ! [ andati persi]

Es un libro muy completo en la cuestion de la espada "ropera" como le llaman unos o rapier. La cuestión es que uno debe ir muy despacio con las lecciones ya que son algo complicadas de entender las instrucciones. Lo recomiendo más para gente con un poco de practica en la esgrima.

It is a detailed book on Spanish fencing, excellent translation! I am getting a little lost in recreating the circles and the scared geometry. It would be helpful if there was a diagram progression so we could clearly see what the 16 century author was referring to. Smile

Buena traducción del tratado original, aunque las copias de los grabados son algo pobres, y las opiniones y comentarios de corte esotérico del traductor sobran, las notas biográficas sobre Gerard Thibault son muy pobres y en algún punto incorrectas