The Book of the Sword

The Book of the Sword by Richard F. Burton. Soft back, 300 pages, illustrated B&W, 15.5cm x 23.5cm.

Eloquent, exceptionally erudite history of the "Queen of Weapons." Traces sword's origin — from prehistory to its full growth during early Roman Empire. Discusses earliest weapons of stone, bone, horn and wood as well as variations: sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar and more. Enhanced by nearly 300 excellent line drawings.

Contents:

• Preamble: on the origin of weapons,
• Man's first weapons - the stone and the stick. The earliest ages of weapons. The ages of wood, of bone and of horn,
• The weapons of the age of wood: the boomerang and the sword of wood; of stone, and of wood and stone combined,
• The proto-chalcitic or copper age of weapons,
• The second chalcitic age of alloys-bronze, brass, etc, the axe and the sword,
• The proto-sideric or early Iron-Age of weapons,
• The sword - what is it?
• The sword in ancient Egypt and in modern Africa,
• The sword in ancient Rome: the legion and the gladiator,
• The sword amongst the Barbarians (early Roman empire).

On the back cover:

Enhanced by nearly 300 excellent line drawings, the text provides an incredible wealth of detailed data about the sword and its variations: sabre, broadsword, cutlass, scimitar, rapier, foil, and a host of other arms, including dirks, daggers , throwing knives, flails and much more