The Art of Dueling: Salvator Fabris' rapier fencing treatise of 1606 Hardcover – January 1, 2005

Having read and done group analysis of Fabris' entire book, from cover to cover, I think his instructional manual is amazing! Fabris was meticulously careful to explain the principles of his system, showing the similarities and differences between various scenarios, including across the most likely weapons someone might have (specifically, the slight variations that occur between single sword, dagger, & cape to reach similar results). Even though unforeseen circumstances prevented him from having illustrations that he was completely happy with before printing, the illustrator(s) did a good job and provided plenty of visual references. Fabris' explanations are extremely wordy but also very practical and down-to-earth. Plus, the inclusion of his advanced content (Book 2) was a generous decision. Fabris left us quite the treasure!All that being said, this hardcover copy of Leoni's translation is being sold at incredibly unreasonable over-inflated prices only due to a modern day publishing tragedy that occurred. The paperback version of Leoni's translation that can be purchased brand new is of the exact same quality, down to the same smudges and resolution within the images. In regards to content, there is nothing gained by paying 10 to 20 times (or more) the price for a hardcover version of this translation.

If you're reading this, then you're probably already familiar with Mr. Leoni and his work.If you can find this title and if you can afford it, grab it immediately.

Well done. I improved my rapier and historical knowledge with this. Read it, practice it and draw from it. Best to do this barefoot.

The elegant, deadly rapier is weapon whose memory has survived the centuries through romantic notions of musketeers and duels at dawn. Yet in the days of its use (the late 16th and 17th centuries), it was an efficient tool of self-defence, whose study married the Renaissance love of geometry, proportion and grace to pragmatic, martial efficiency.Salvator Fabris was one of the seminal masters of this period, the master of a king, and his fencing manual is a perfect mirror of these sensibilities, as well as an open door to those who wish to take up the sword for themselves. In plain, no-nonsense language, he meticulously details the theory of fencing - its immutable laws - and then step-by-step proceeds to teach footwork, guards, attacks and defenses in a series of sample scenarios married to carefuly rendered, detailed illustrations. All of this constantly references back to the theoretical framework, and where event the slightest contradiction is explained by Fabris and the reasons for the seeming "exception", made clear.Just this section on the sword, sword and dagger and sword and cloak is longer and more detailed than the works of Capo Ferro or Giganti, Fabris' contemporaries, but he presents an entire second half that is essentially a "black-belt" course of advanced techniques unlike any other surviving rapier text. There is a lifetime of material to master in here.This work was Fabris' opus, and rendering it into modern English has been Tom Leoni's. The raw passion for this master and his book is evident in the way Mr. Leoni has carefully translated Fabris' plain-spoken, yet elegant words into equally plain-spoken and elegant English. This does not read like a Babblefish translation, it reads like well-crafted prose. Married to this is a pair of excellent essays, describing Fabris, his world and the place of his art within that world, and a detailed, illustrated, thematic gloosary. The inclusion of the forword to a German edition of Fabris, published two generations after his death, adds more historical detail, and shows the long arm of his tradition.Finally, the book itself is stunning, with high-quality scans of illustrations from an original manuscript, a leatherite binding and an evocative dustjacket of the author's own devising. Taken as whole, Salvator Fabris has left us a complete curriculum of rapier fencing - literally the only text you may ever need - and Tom Leoni's modern edition has set a new standard for researchers and translators in the realm of historical European swordsmanship.

Some years ago I obtained a translation of Salvator Fabris' rapier fencing treatise made by a professional translator in the 19th century. Reading Tom Leoni's translation really makes me appreciate the art involved in this process and the importance of having a translator who is not only fluent in both languages, but is fluent in the subject of the book being translated. In fact The Art of Dueling includes the preface to the 1677 German edition of Fabris, in which similar problems, earlier editions had been translated by a non-fencer, are discussed.Not only has Tom captured the meaning of Salvator Fabris, but he has done so while maintaining the flow and music of Fabris' language. He has suceeded in giving the 21st century English reader what Fabris gave the 17th century Italian one, clear instruction on how to use a rapier in text that is a pleasure to read.Nobody knows more about Salvator Fabris than Tom Leoni. Watching him fence is like looking at plates from Fabris. Therefore I was very surprised to hear that Tom was including no interpretation in his book. Having read it, I think he made the right decision. Fabris' treatise lays out the art of rapier fencing so systematically and comprehensively that any additional layer of interpretation would be a veil between the reader and the Master. Instead, Tom tells you how he thinks you should use Fabris' work. Also included are interesting discussions of Fabris and his work, and the place of rapier fencing in Renaissance culture. The preface by Classical Fencing Master Sean Hayes is also very informative, looking at the links and the changes between the art of Fabris and the 19th century Italian duelling art.All-in-all I cannot speak highly enough of this book. Anyone looking to understand and learn Italian rapier fencing needs a copy of The Art of Dueling. What are you waiting for!Stephen HandAuthor, English Swordsmanship, Medieval Sword and ShieldEditor, Spada, Spada II