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.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: A classic Comment: I'm very please not to have to keep running to the library every time I need this book. It is quite the most complete study of the sword that I have ever read in spite of its early date. I am very pleased that the press chose to put it into print and make it available to those of us who use and read such texts. This is not easy reading! It's probably well beyond what will hold the attention of most children who are fanatics about weaponry. But it is quite useful for adults who need to know the specifics of how such items came to be and were used. Customer Rating: Summary: THE book not about medieval and renaissance swords Comment: This book is not about medieval swords. It starts at the dawn of time and proceeds until the Roman times. In fact, it's the first book of a trilogy that never materialized. Medieval and Renaissance swords figure only in passing notes. Oh, and prominently on the cover. Front and back, in text and picture. Without any hint whatsoever that they are not in there.
That said, I have not read the book. I hope I will find the time and I'm sure there's a lot to learn from it.
Two stars because this book has a solid potential to disappoint - and squarely goes for it. Customer Rating: Summary: Difficult read Comment: Burton's style is rather rampling and often digresses into discussions of anchient gods and the like. If you want to put up with the poetic prose, there is still good information to be gleaned from this book. However, if you are looking for an easy to read book concerning the history of the sword, stick with Oakeshott. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent Work By a Master Comment: This is a wonderful work. Even if you do not care for weapons, etc. it is still a very good bit of Victorian writing..very typical, ver well done. I not that one reviewer here did not like the scatter style, etc. Perhaps if the review read more that comics, me might jut get it. How sad. Customer Rating: Summary: much written...little said Comment: This is one of the worst books I have ever read. The reasons are listed below.
1. Swords? This book claims by title to be about swords, but it seems to be a book about almost anything but swords. Burton goes on and on with tangential ramblings on every subject under the sun. The writings which actually pertain to swords are incredibly sparse. When actually describing swords (or even just weapons for that matter) the book is interesting from a mostly quaint point of view. However, these instances are rare because of all the other rabbit chasing. Perhaps if he had stuck to the subject at hand he would have been able to complete his writings; instead they are left forever undone. I wonder how in all his travels and exploits Sir Burton could have never encountered an editor!
2. Facts? His scattershot take on history, science and religion are now laughable. For someone who was so often called "genius" it makes me almost embarrassed for him when he makes such resolute stands on premises which are now totally disproved or rejected.
3. Overkill? This book jumps through lines of thought about as fast as it jumps through languages (often with no translation). It gives this reader the opinion that Sir Burton was setting out to display just how "smart" he was. The text comes across as someone who desperately wants to impress the reader with how vast his intelligence and experience are. In other words, it tries too hard...way too hard. If he was actually trying to convey information, why use all the extraneous hoopla? It makes reading the book unnecessarily difficult and painful.
4. Genius? It never ceases to amaze me when I observe the works over which the mantle of "genius" or "classic" is laid. People, books, films, art...so many of these revered icons seem to draw their power from the fact that everyone is afraid to go against the established conclusions that certain selected ones are to be elevated beyond reproach.
