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From an abhorance of pistol grip weapons to an unyielding bent for the classical French fencing style, the author of “The Art and Science of Fencing,” Nick Evangelista, comes across as a fencing master of strong likes and dislikes. But most of all, his love of fencing shines through the pages of this very appealing book. This translates into a volume that is at once a highly useful teaching tool and an entertaining read. A must for fencing students with brains. The only thing that could have made this book better would have been more illustrative photos

At last a great book for kids and their parents, that gives the reader clear information regarding the Olympic sport of Fencing. Orignally written for young German fencers, the information and approach is very approriate for kids in the States. The little figure “foily” guides us through the beginning steps of learning how to fence. A wonderful read as well.

If this book was written for beginners, then it comes close to being very good. As a beginner who has never fenced, my perspective is bound to be different from that of most reviewers who seem to have more experience. In all, this book is neither completely good nor is it bad. It has some positives and negatives.

On the positive side, the quality of the cover and binding are very high. Most books I have seen on this subject are published by independants who cut corners in the quality of the book. Not this book. The high quality of publishing makes it easier to read.

There’s also a lot of good historical content in the book. Whatver one thinks of Mr. Evangelista’s personal opinions about classical versus modern fencing, there’s enough info for the beginner to get a good feel for fencing’s background.

The book’s shortcomings are, however, significant. The technical sections might have been good, but they were weakened by poor pictures. Since most of the sections outline movements, directional arrows are essential for a beginner trying to learn the correct basic movement. Granted, using this book in conjunction with coaching probably answers those questions. But what’s the point of a picture if it’s not useful? In addition, many pictures were simply too dark and needed to be replaced with better ones.

As for the author’s claims of training many championship fencers, to me the validity of that matters less than the content itself.

All in all this is a fairly good book that is worth a read but is not enough to start out with.

Perhaps the best thing about Nick Evangelista’s “Art and Science” of Fencing” is that it DOES contain a strong personal touch. Most other fencing books I’ve read are like text books, hard to read, and thus hard to learn from. “The Art and Science” is full of Nick Evangelista’s own experience, which, when you get down to it, is pretty much every fencing student’s experience, to one degree or another. The maestro does not preach from the mountain top; he is right down on the ground with everyone else. This is great! A teacher who knows and relates to his students. There’s no ego problem here. I wish Nick Evangelista was my personal fencing master. I have heard rumors that “The Art and Science of Fencing” has sold over 10,000 copies, and is still going strong. I believe it. After reading the book, you’ll know why. I also love his “Inner Game of Fencing.”

Many trees could have been saved if Master Evangelista left out the ‘I’ in this book. The information is invaluable, and he is indisputably a gifted artist, but the first 100 pages of this book are not about fencing, they are about Master Evangelista. The information is helpful. The ego is not.

Many fencing manuals have a tendency to get bogged down in jargon which is very off putting even to experienced fencers. This book largely manages to avoid it and it is clearly written by someone who actually knows how to put their opinions across in an understandable fashion. Top marks.

I began fencing just a few months ago, and as
with anything I decide to throw myself into,
I buy and read as many books as possible on
the subject. My favorite book of all of them <BR is The Art and Sciene of Fencing by Nick
Evangelista. His love for fencing is
contagious. He was able to describe very
intricate physical movements, which I was
actually able to picture without the aid of a
diagram very five seconds.

Mr. Evangelista has a very conversational
sytle of writing that makes his book very easy
to read, and he also has a great sense of
humor, which makes the book fun to read as
well.

I have just purchased his Encyclopedia of the
Sword, which looks absolutely fascinating.
My only wish is that Mr. Evangelista would
write more!

This book is unapologetically intended for beginning fencers, but anyone who fences or instructs can benefit from it. The author’s emphasis on classical form and technique is, IMHO, entirely appropriate for recreational fencers and should provide basic instruction for those who wish to someday compete. This book doesn’t claim to prepare anyone for Olympic competition (that’s what coaches are for), only to provide a solid introduction to time-honored classical fencing, which it does in spades. I loved it! I especially like the author’s inclusion of women in fencing, although I found the exclusive use of masculine pronouns distracting. It’s really not that hard to write in a gender-neutral voice. Still, this book has far and away the best inclusion of women in fencing of any fencing book I’ve ever read, especially in the excellent “fencing history” sections, so the author can only be applauded for his work. I highly recommend this book to anyone who fenc! es or is interested in fencing. Mr. Evangelista clearly expresses his strong opinions about various aspects of fencing, and whether you agree with them all or not, they make for very interesting reading!

The Art and Science of Fencing contains a fairly basic into and description of sport fencing, focusing on the French approach to foil. A full third of the book is dedicated to trying to sell the reader on fencing. In my opinion, if you have bought the book, you’re already interested. The text was notably lacking in decent photos or illustrations. There are a couple of pages dedicated to praising the importance of drills and exercises, but there is very little actual description of suggested drills or exercises!
On a side note, the author has a very narrow view of fencing, attributing that there was no “real” swordplay until the 16th century. This is admittedly a common bias in the field. However, it blatantly ignores the fechtschules that have documented evidence from the 1400′s. The author is not working from experience or research, as describing non-rapier swords as “can openers” is highly inaccurate.
Lastly, the author asserts that strength training has no place in a fencing training regime. I suggest that strength training has a place in any athletic endevor and that it is simply a matter of tailoring your program to match your sport.
Overall an average introduction for beginning fencers.

The book is a good introduction to fencing covering all aspects of the sport which is good for beginners. The pictures are excellent and the book is easy to read. However the author writes on some subjects like some of the old timers talk in Australia. Some of his opinions on pistol grips, electric fencing and how one should progress from each weapon is very old fashion. Overall a good introductory book for a beginner/novice but if you want to progress in the sport you need to realise that sport evolves and if you want to succeed then you also need to evolve.

Obviously you can not learn fencing, or any sport for that matter, from a book. It is assumed that if you are reading this, you are either in lessons or considering them. With that in mind, this is an excellent companion text for a beginning fencer.

In many ways, this book fills in the missing gaps in lessons. It contains the background and the evolution of the sport. It describes the basic attacks and defense, the takes and ripostes. It shows the footwork and lays out the rules. There is a nice little piece about leverage and some interesting theories and tactics. I found that is was a good way to keep my brain wrapped around fencing while I waited for the next lesson.

It does address an older style of fencing, and may not jibe with your instructor. Ultimately, “The Art and Science of Fencing” is a one man’s opinion on the sport of fencing. It is, however, an informed opinion. There will be ideas in this book that you will disagree with. That’s OK. I am sure that you will find many ideas that you also agree with and can learn from.

I found this book to be informative but I found it to be very subjective. I have been a fencer for 10 years and read many books on fencing and found this book to contain biased opinions about modern fencing, especially regarding the pistol grips and flicks. One can deny all they want on how obsurd it is but then don’t devote a whole chapter on it. By the way, the last reviewer from NY, I believe there are differences between a chatroom and a message board even my 10 year old nephew knows that. I also belong to one where we have well known fencers come and discuss/post various topics including tournament, strategy, equipment, directors etc perhaps you should look into it instead of dimissing it as place for unintelligent people. I might not totally agree with the California reviewer but he/she has some valid points. Carradine of fencing, now that’s funny!

This book provides an excellent overview of classical fencing techniques.
The biggest flaw in this tome is the bias of the author to the “French” school of classical fencing…however, as this bias is clearly and repeatedly stated, there is no conflict.
As a beginner fencer myself, I found this book essential to developing practical skills as well as an understanding of the finer points of the sport.

This book is great. The author is a true fencer, not just some Yahoo who works part time at the ymca and teaches fencing once a week. The author gives a good description of the history and the technique of fencing, although the book could have had more diagrams of certain moves. but still, buy this book if you are interested in fencing, because its probally one of the best on the market now-adays.

Nick Evanglista’s The Art and Science of Fencing is thoughtful, informed view on the world of fencing. His book inspired me to try the French grip which I have used ever since. After reading it twice, I often randomly pick it up and just read through a few topics to keep my mind fresh. While I believe that some of Evanglista’s views are a little harsh, his core principles ring true and I have learned many things from reading his book. I would recommend this book to any fencer with over a year of experience.

This is an enthusiastic intro to fencing that maintains a beginner’s interest while covering all of the basics from social history and weapons through the equipment, language and technique to the “fire” necessary to stay on the road to fencing mastery. Also, one is introduced to some of the fencing masters, both male and female, and provided with miscellaneous resources in Appendix II related to the U.S. Fencing Association and its magazine (American Fencing), fencing equipment supply companies, sword movies, and lists of fiction and non-fiction books related to swords and fencing. Mr. Evangelista was an apprentice to fencing master Ralph Faulkner and, like his master, promotes the classical style of fencing and form – “fencing’s yardstick” – which emphasizes personal control over oneself first and then one’s opponents. Control begins within: “True fencing takes place between the brain and the sword hand rather than between the tip of your weapon and the opponents chest” (pg. 41). There is more to fencing than just competition, although that’s important too. “Mastery – real, certifiable mastery, not just a few overblown victories here and there – must flow from a set point of effective behavior patterns. Classical form, with its demands for balance, grace, efficiency and accuracy, sets up such a rarefied atmosphere. We are given a sound blueprint that has been tested and polished for centuries” (pg. 159).

Some who have been trained in the “modern” style of fencing will be put off by some of what the author says. For instance, he firmly believes that one should start with the foil before moving to the epee and then the sabre. Also, he doesn’t think one should bout until one has “gone through a progression of learning that includes a thorough blend of both physical and mental approaches to fencing” (pg. 68). Why? “This enables the student to fully understand his relationship to his opponent on the fencing strip.” Regarding competition, he would never allow “a student to enter a tournament until he had bouted for at least a year.” Building a solid foundation is important to classical style fencing. Regardless of whether one sticks with this classical approach, there is plenty to learn from this book for the new fencing student. Because of Mr. Evangelista’s book, I’ve chosen to start with the foil and although my early training is mixed with bouting, I have been complimented by fellow students who have asked whether I’ve fenced before. One actually said I “seem controlled”. Applying the principles in this book has contributed to that control. Highly recommended.

A good intro to fencing, good history and interesting bio’s of well known fencers. Overall an ok book. Not superb and there is some bias against advances in the sport that I found detracting.

As I read this book I felt as though I was part of something special. This book cleverly illustrates the art and history of fencing, while at the same time explaining the quantitative aspects of the sport. However, this book is by no means a literary work of art, so if you are looking for a book writen by an english major-this is not it. My advice is for you to read this book and develop your own opinion, and don’t forget, this book could make you part of something.

Anyone used to the dry and mechanistic U.S. fencing books published in the 1970s and 1980s will be pleasantly surprised. In the Art and Science, Evangelista is in his element. Here is a guy who pursues fencing with a degree of personal devotion that he managed to create and run a fencing academy in rural Missouri. (This in itself would qualify for applaudable success in any metropolitan area. It is a truly Herculean feat for Peace Valley, MO.)A former student of and later assistant to Ralph Faulkner, Evangelista breaks new ground as a writer. He succeeds in creating a well-centered book that is as complete as it is readable, full of personal and professional anecdotes and experiences, as well as historical perspective. He manages to establish himself as a competent, credible protagonist of modern fencing, without the sanctimonious overbearance that makes reading certain other fencing books such a chore to read.It becomes evident that for Evangelista, the student is first and foremost an individual, the master primarily a mentor who forms the student not just by drill but also by taking him into his confidence — explaining and referring rather than lecturing.This is one of the best sports fencing titles to hit the bookstores in a decade — and a good buy to boot!

Sometimes a book is noteworthy simply by virtue of lack of competition regarding the subject matter.

Such is the case here. Evangelista’s Art and Science of Fencing is one of the better books out there for those who want a servicable introduction to sport fencing. The graphic layout is pretty good as are the photos. The historical stuff is brief, readable and informative. Evangelista does a good job of explaining to the uninitiated why fencing has the rules it does and how the modern sport links to the actual dueling of the Renaissance period on.

The diagrams of different fencing parries and movements are crude and not necessarily helpful. But here, Evangelista shoots about par for the course. Most fencing manuals in existence have pretty awful illustrations.

That said, Evangelista is not exactly popular in the serious competative fencing circuit. Most of today’s top competitors routinely roll their eyes at Evangelista.

Part of this is due, no doubt to Evangelista’s rather high opinion of himself which seems to pervade the book. But mostly Evangelista is dismissed by the competitive fencing community as a “tradition-bound old fogey.” He routinely attacks the modern style of fencing and yearns for a return to the “good old days.”

Most of his criticism focuses on the “anatomical grip.” Evangelista advocates a traditional straight “French grip.” He is correct in his assessment that the French grip leads to much lighter and straightforward fencing than the more muscular and aggressive anatomical grip. He is also correct in pointing out that the newer grips create a fencing style that little resembles real duels fought in Renaissance Italy or England in the 1700s.

I have fenced with both. Personally, I prefer the anatomical grip for essentially two reasons: 1) it transfers strength and power more readily to the sword and 2) it’s just more fun!

This second reason illustrates the major problem with Evangelista: he’s essentially a killjoy. Modern fencing has wholeheartedly embraced the new style of fencing that Evengelista has attacked. Modern fencers have perfected some rather spectacular moves that would be simply impossible with a more traditional grip. The sport has evolved: today fencing matches are much more aggressive than an actual duel (with lethal swords) would have been.

But I do not see this as a problem really. Fencing is a sport, not a real duel. A certain amount of unrealism is permitted in sport that would not be prudent in true life or death struggles. In essence, it’s OK to be a bit “inauthentic.” My feeling is that if people are enjoying the anatomical style, let them enjoy it.

You should also note that Evangelista’s description of the rules of sabre fencing is a bit outdated. He describes essentially a running charge (or “fleche”). This move has been illegal since the mid 1980s. Sabre fencers are no longer allowed to cross their rear foot in front of their leading foot.

“Raging controversies” aside however, Evangelista’s book is probably the best introductory guide to sport fencing on the market. The sad truth is that very few good books have been written about sport fencing. Most of the books available are from the 1970s and 1980s (or earlier) and have not withstood the test of time. In fact, Evangelista’s book is likely to be the only book on sport fencing available at your local book store.

Evangelista wins by default. His book simply has no serious competition. If you are interested in learning more about sport fencing without actually setting foot in a fencing club, this book is really all you’ve got. But that doesn’t make this a great book.

If you are serious about learning sport fencing, visit a club, get a sword and start doing it. For everyone else, this book will suffice.

This book is allright but doesn’t enter into enough detailit is not a scientific book about fencing.

I always recommend this book to new fencers and none of them have been disappointed. The information contained is fundamental to choosing the style of fencing a person might want to pursue. Nick Evangelista uncovers the differences in technique, styles, and philosophies. One of the best reasons to buy this book is to read the author’s opinions of the two most deliberated styles of fencing, classical and modern. Become informed of your choices before you let others determine your destination for you. Nick explains his reasoning behind his opinions and lets you choose for yourself. He has fenced both styles and is talking from experience.
Your weekly lessons will be easier to retain when you come home to this instructive book. You will be taken from the basic en garde position and footwork all the way to the bout and beyond. He encourages you to analyze your own fencing actions and understand why they succeed or fail.
The practical information contained in this educational book is interwoven with his personal experiences. This makes for very interesting reading, quite contrary to the boring technical manuals of old. His respect for his past fencing master, the late Ralph Faulkner, plants the seeds for new fencers to develop reverence for their own club’s maestro. In a world that can sometimes seem chaotic, fencing brings about order, and Nick Evangelista’s book will ensure that you are informed, educated, and on fire for fencing!