The contents of "The Big Book of Fencing"?

[firebrand]

What all is in "The Big Book of Fencing"? Are there techniques and rules...? Is it for all types of fencing? Is there equipment information and is it worth the money?

firebrand

[Craig]

If you do a forum search for the big book of fencing, you'll find a couple of threads discussing it.

Here's one:
http://www.fencing101.com/vb/showthr...?threadid=9123

Searches for "fencing books" and "volkmann" turn up threads discussing the Big Book of Fencing.

Cheers,
Craig

[Tireur]

I keep syaing, unless he made major revisions to the first edition, avoid it. Not worth the money unless you buy it for the entertainment value.

[wflaschka]

While I have my own problems with The Big Book, it's actually one of the best, most comprehensive introductory tomes available for fencing. A fencer can read it and get a great executive overview of the sport (if they don't go blind from the mimeographed photos).

I've shown my copy to many fencers, and they devour it. A few have bought/will buy their own copies. Even if you disagree with some or all of the sections, the book creates a broad understanding of what's going on. The book is the "first viewpoint" on fencing, from which people depart as they improve.

So... thumbs up.

[firebrand]

Thanks, and how has your view changed?

firebrand

[wflaschka]

Views change as understanding grows more sophisticated. The early explanations satisfy the newcomer, but as they learn more, they need more detailed and compelling information. The more you know, the less you know you know.

In the Big Book, a newcomer will read about "Parry 4." They'll think, "Oh! I see! A parry 4 is one of the parries! And it protects the chest! Okay let's get back on strip." But three years later, they might wonder, "Why is my parry 4 so slow, and why can I never hit with a riposte?" And they go back to the Big Book, and notice that the Book's description of the parry 4 is not applicable to modern fencing. With their understanding of parries improved, they begin to have opinions about parries that differ from the Big Book's.

The Big Book gives newcomers a foundation. But unless these newcomers are in stasis, they'll eventually start disagreeing with or departing from the book. It's not a flaw in the book but rather a natural process of learning.

What we don't have is the "Next level" fencing book... this next-level book would answer the follow-up questions. There are lots of people who already know that "a lunge is something you do with your legs", and now need to know the best practice methods for lunging. Those sorts of books are harder to write; easter Europeans have cornered the market on them, and boy are they dull.

[WoodsideDr]

After a year of fencing regularly, I went back and re-read most of the Big Book this week. While no one book can be the definitive resource, it does do a good job of covering fundamentals (at least from one instructor's perspective). And going back to it from time to time can serve as a reference point for how one is progressing.

Would love to see someone write a book on more advanced tactics and strategies though.

[swordsen]

I consider the Big book of Fencing to be about the best book out there. It is comprehensive, easy to read, and practical. I reccomend it to everyone.

[Tireur]

It's not a flaw in the book but rather a natural process of learning.

Like I said, unless he made major revisions. I read a pre-publication copy and found a lot of bad information. Perhaps it deserves a second look, but I would never pay for a copy due to my first experience with it.

[morael]

I love that book! It gives an overview of just about everything, and is tremendously helpful for filling in on stuff you don't have time to learn in class. I wouldn't get dogmatic or wrapped around the details of it (like wflaschka's obsessive "newcomer" fencer with the parry four paralysis). Save that to drive your "live" coach up the wall.

[morael]

I forgot to mention... be careful not to get this book on Amazon, which lists it at $188!! It's actually around $25 dollars.

[Tireur]

It's actually around $25 dollars

I might pay 4.95.