As a fencer and coach, I've read plenty of books which focus on the technical aspects on swordplay. This was the first book really looking into the history of a sport I've been involved with for over a decade. There was quite a bit of fanfare when this book was released, due to the prominence of the author - an established veteran of the UK fencing circuit. I've fenced Richard Cohen a few times at opens, and he still has a damningly fast hand.

The first two-thirds of the book deal with classical fencing and duelling, presented as a series of anecdotes and stories, revolving around themes. They are interesting and provide insight into the rich history of the sport. The final third is concerned with modern Olympic fencing, from its inception at the first games, through the introduction of wireless equipment, the dominance of the original powers and moving through the Soviet era into the modern generation. It answers questions many fencers have about why things work in such a way - strict FIE rules due to numerous attempts at cheating, why Hungarian coaches are such hard work and why Russians hit quite so hard. For those focused purely on the technical aspects of the sport, there is very little for you here. If you wish to add some context and texture to your understanding, this book is invaluable.