- A mustThis book is essential for anyone interested in doing medieval swordsmanship. Tobler has done all the hard work for you, he has interpreted the moves perfectly. There is very little guesswork left up to you, each move has many pictures showing every subtle change in position. Easy to follow and the pictures are very clear. A great book, none better.
Rating:
- An Absolutely Indispensable Reference for the Student of Medieval Swordsmanship and Western Martial Arts. `Western martial arts are every bit as sophisticated as their Asian counterparts. The German martial systems incorporate both armed and unarmed combat, with and without armor, on foot and on horseback, using daggers, long and short swords, bucklers, shields, falchions, and spears and poleaxes.'
In Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship, Christian Henry Tobler has done an outstanding job of introducing the reader to the skills and methods of the Germanic man-at-arms.
The book is broken down into five major sections:
>> Longsword Techniques
>> Sword & Buckler
>> Wrestling Techniques
>> Armored Combat
>> Mounted Combat
Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship is an interpretation of the teachings of Master Johannes Liechtenauer and of the later work in the 15th Century of Sigmund Ringeck, a descendant of the Liechtenauer school and master-at-arms to Albrecht, Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria.
While there were, of course, no photographs in the 15th Century ~ Christian Henry Tobler has filled Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship with hundreds of photographs demonstrating the techniques of the masters. He has made an accurate interpretation of the techniques described in the writings of the masters and displays that described in photographs.
Each photograph is clear and in sequence allows the reader to learn the techniques of the masters. These techniques are highly effective and the more one practices, the greater insight one gains into the secrets of the masters of arms of the 15th Century.
The book concludes with a glossary of terms well-worth learning to improve understanding of this text and others related to it.
I found Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship to be an absolutely indispensable reference for the student of Medieval Swordsmanship and Western Martial Arts.
Rating:
- Excellant WorkI first bought Mark Rector's _Medieval Combat_, but I didn't feel I truly grok'd many of the illustrations in that book until after I read this book.
For the most part I think that Mr. Tobler's interpretations of Ringeck's verse are dead on target. But in many cases, it seemed pretty nebulous what Ringeck meant - not that surprising considering we are trying to take a very abstract description of a full-sensory 4d event - verbal, and put back all those lost details.
In those cases were I couldn't figure out for myself what Ringeck meant, Mr. Tobler's work seemed at least internally consistant, and well thought out.
Again, excellant.
Rating:
- ExcellentThis book is very clear, well written, and wonderfully photographed.
It provides an excellent view of 15th century european martial arts as being every bit as advanced as those of the orient.
The instructions are clear, and the methods practical.
If you fence, practice kendo, or any other sword art, and are interested in learning how fights were really fought (as opposed to how Hollywood wants us to think they were) I fully recommend this book.
Rating:
- Great Book!!!Ever dreamt of being that Knight breaking lance and thrashing sword upon enemy? Your dream can easily come true! This book, Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship is by far one of the best books I have whitnesed. The book shows people combat techniques for a wide diversity of styles. It shows armed combat, sword fighting, unarmed combat and much more that deals with the sword and even a section on fighting on a horse. Even after training with the sword, this book will expand one's knowledge of swordsmanship. The book is worth every penny of the price. It also serves as a great reference book if one is to fight at a show. This is a book that you definently want to pick up!