GERMAN FENCING: THE PROBLEM OF MEANING

A Review by Nick Evangelista

German Fencing: The Problem of Meaning, by William H. Leckie, Jr., translated by Marc Mause, is a book that challenges the nature of modern thinking, and certainly the nature of modern fencing thought. In this, it is a volume of soaring possibilities that both weaves fencing into the social structure and history of civilization, and the social structure and history of civilization into the development of fencing. Encompassing 460 pages of text, no mean feat for Leckie. But not an isolated notion. The great 17th century Japanese swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, in his classic, The Book of Five Rings, suggests that to understand the true Way of the Sword, one must study the workings of the world in all its varied aspects.

German Fencing, then, as one might expect, is a challenging read; but, then, all things of value, by their very existence, possess an intrinsic defiance of conventional sensibilities. At the same time, Leckie’s volume is in no way a dry text book, or a collection of elite, intellectual lectures. The book’s tone is, in fact, quite conversational, its words very accessible.

In the end, in approaching a review of this book, one can only hint at its content. It is certainly about the nature of thinking, but there are far too many dots to connect to explain its complexities in a mere book review.  Truly, it is a book that must be read to be fully understood.

THE ADVENTURES OF SIR EDWIN DUNFREES BY SIR EDWIN DUNFREES BY THOMAS CRAGG

A Review by Nick Evangelista

 An epic adventure.

The Adventures of Sir Edwin Dunfrees, by Thomas Cragg, is an adventure story that rivals the writings of Alexandre Dumas, Rafael Sabatini, and in more modern times, the historical adventure tales penned by Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, in England and the European theatre, the novel details the life and times of Edwin Dunfrees, a man who is trained in the sword at an early age, and follows his muse, one way or another, to the end his long and eventful life.

Those who enjoy stories of swordsmen and sword fighting will find this book amazingly satisfying, because there are fights galore to bask in, every one of them a literary treat. It should be noted, in his well-chosen words, the author displays a strong knowledge of fencing and fencing history. Moreover, as the story progresses, readers will find themselves drawn into bygone world of detailed historical authenticity that only enhances the action. Thomas Cragg characterizes his book simply: “It is about people, it is about relationships, and it is about life.” I would agree with this description.

Sorry, no spoilers. Just take the word of an old fencing master who has read everything from The Three Musketeers to A Princess of Mars to Scaramouche to Captain Alatriste, buy this book and travel the life of Sir Edwin Dunfrees from cover to cover. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Note:

Both books reviewed here are available on Amazon.com.

The Three Musketeers

A Review By Nick Evangelista

Arguably the greatest novel ever written, The Three Musketeers, penned one hundred and seventy-nine years ago, By Alexandre Dumas, is still one of the most published and read and reread books today. On Amazon.com, a quick search will turn up dozens upon dozens of editions of the book, unabridged and abridged, illustrated and unillustrated, hardbound and paperback, expensive and cheap, even comic book versions, not to mention the venerable tome being translated into at least 100 languages. We won’t even touch all the movie and TV versions The Three Musketeers.

Compare Three Musketeers to modern best sellers like Gone with the Wind, Atlas Shrugged, Jaws, Love Story, The Godfather, and Jurassic Park, and these latter volumes become mere hiccups in the literary pantheon. People have always clamored for Dumas’s writing. He produced over 300 books, which included many more historical romances, travelogues, biographies, cookbooks, and autobiographical works. Dumas had a gift, and still does, for touching his audience!

So, with the above being said, which edition should one purchase in today’s market? Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice.  But if I were to make a recommendation—which I am now going to do—I would suggest the reprint of the 1894 special anniversary edition of The Three Musketeers, with 250 illustrations by the noted 19th century illustrator, Maurice Leloir. The text opens with a letter from Dumas’s son, Alexandre Dumas fils. As for Leloir’s drawings, produced over a period of two years, what a lavish treasure they are in their execution! Meticulously engraved on wood  they cover all aspects of Dumas’s story, from the many swordfights, to musketeer daily life, to the lavish pomp of Louis XIII’s court, to the intrigues of Cardinal Richelieu, Milady de Winter, and the Cardinal’s henchman Rochefort. Nothing is overlooked by the artist. Simply as a book unread, it is a work of art. But read it, too!!!!!

This reprint edition can be had in either hardbound or paperback editions from the publisher.