The Book of the Sword: A Comprehensive Guide with 293 Illustrations

Victor Bertazzo: The kindle version of this shouldn't even be sold, I took one look at it and immediately wanted my money back. It's just a poor digitalization of the actual book that looks like it was made in a library copier.

Brazil on May 13, 2021

Amazon Customer: I purchased this book for a very gifted 6th Grader; who devours good resources for all he is interested in. The more clear the details, the better. Now, he is meticulously drawing and making different types of swords.

United States on Oct 24, 2019

Christian Saulnier: Nice product

Canada on Jan 16, 2019

Brian Wilson: I am really enjoying reading this book very informative.

United Kingdom on Sep 06, 2018

kt: I purchased this book quite awhile ago...it was hard to find then, but a friend was interested in it so I was happy to find it was available again. If you are interested in or collect swords and are also interested in the history of swords, this is the best book you will find. Excellent. Originally written in 1853 it is very readable and an amazing reference to all sword types. You'll only need this one book if you want the real history about swords and not some new age guesses.

I collect swords and it has been invaluable.

United States on Jan 17, 2018

Frank E. Perry: This is an odd book to review. It is an excellent window into the mind of Richard Burton because it is his thoughts on one of his favorite subjects. The book is a history of swords from the dawn of time to the late 19th century. That's a tall order and in his usual way, Burton tackles it head on with digressions and footnotes. Anyone familiar with his translation of 10001 Night's will understand.
The material itself is an odd lot, covering everything from the swords of Ancient Egypt to Central Africa to the Middle East to India to China to Rome to ...
One thing that must be born in mind is that it is a book of its time. At that time, Diffusionism was the height of Sociology and the Burton viewed all cultures as being derived from Egypt. The civilization of the Indus had not been found and Mesopotamian archeology was in its infancy. But it is surprising to read what was known at the time.
One final comment: If you are put off by the Politically Incorrect, this is not the book for you. Burton is from his time and not ours. For the 19th century, he is liberal. By today's standards, he is racist. Read this as a window to that time and not to ours.

United States on May 16, 2015

Jash: A friend lent me this book years ago, and i absolutely loved it. I think it's a must read for anyone interested in the history of swords. I see most negative comments are in regards to the book being too detailed...but, that's exactly what i love about it. Not only am i interested in swords, but also have a background in science and history - and i think Burton does a great job bringing all these aspects together as a whole. It is very unfortunate the series was never completed... Sure there are many books on swords out there, but from what i've seen - this book has the greatest amount of actual historical information for the price. It proudly sits on my bookshelf next to my other sword books.

Canada on Feb 22, 2015

Miroku Nemeth: I did my thesis for my second MA in English Lit. on Burton (over a decade ago), so, in many ways, I appreciate his writing--which is, well, very erudite, opinionated, and often pedantic in the extreme. This is not a straightforward narrative, a comprehensive text on swords or swordsmanship, or quite like anything you ever have read before if you are not used to Burton’s truly “unique” style. It is claimed that Burton knew 29 languages, and this is probably true. He was an amazing linguist and real scholar, among his many other talents and adventures. It is hard to say you have fully “read” this book unless you have a working knowledge of Latin, Greek, French, Chinese, Sanskrit, Urdu, Arabic (I can claim this with Arabic at least), Farsi, and sundry other languages that he leaves in the original script and untranslated. I have read many of Burton’s books, and had put off reading this for years because it looked very ponderous and convoluted as a text. And it is. I had a bit of hope that it would be interesting nonetheless once you unlock all of that a bit, as he was one of the greatest swordsmen of Europe and this is a topic close to his heart. As Rice writes in his...

United States on Feb 08, 2015

El viejo lobo: Diese Arbeit bietet einen guten Überblick über die Entwicklung der einzelnen Schwerttypen für einen wirklich guten Preis. Sowohl von den Zeichnungen als auch von den Texten her. Mehr muss man nicht dazu sagen. Wäre die Arbeit etwas umfangreicher, hätte sie auch den fünften Stern erhalten.

Germany on Feb 15, 2011

ScrawnyPunk: This is a book I picked up after hearing its glowing praises in the documentary "Reclaiming the Blade." After reading it, my opinion is that this book should hold more interest for the sword enthusiast than the common observer. The first six chapters are a trial for the casual reader, being devoted to the development of metals and the evolving concept of armaments from pointed sticks to proto-swords. However, the seventh chapter is a fascinating discussion of the geometry, physics, and classical design of the sword. From that point on, the book hits its stride and turns into an enlightening combination of martial, diplomatic, cultural, and metallurgical history. These are not topics I had given much thought to beforehand, but Burton's unique gifts as a polymath paint a clear and entertaining picture of the how, why, where, who and when of sword craft.
The book has two prominent drawbacks. First, it is part one of a three-part history which did not progress beyond this volume. Second, Burton's subtle racism and belief in British superiority can be annoying to a modern reader. (It is interesting to note that Burton was considered to have "gone native" in the 1850s, so his views...

United States on Nov 27, 2010