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Published in England in 1890, this fascinating book may be one of the earliest ever to discuss the use of everyday items as weapons of self-defense for, in the words of the authors, athose atight placesa where men care nothing for rules, but only want to make the most out of that weapon which the chance of the moment has put into their hands.a It contains many useful insights into effective training in armed combat and how such training relates to real-world self-defense. A must-read for anyone interested in the arts of stick work, swordplay or the no-holds-barred use of any convenient weapon, awhether he has in his hand a single stick, a cutlass, or the leg of an old chair.a
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this many years ago now and it had a big impact on me. It describes in detail how, in times we now think of as more mannered, the middle to upper classes would not only excercise but guarantee their self defence. "Singlestick" is quite topical, as it was one of Sherlock Holmes' specialities -I hope the next film makes as much of it as it did the bare knuckle boxing. It is an immensly practical book. Swordsticks are illegal in the UK, but I imagine that a cane "more oval than round" walking stick, correctly applied, could be immensly useful in a crisis. For any "Holmsian", this is a great buy at the price. A true insight into the "keep fit" activities of the Gentleman's clubs of the time, as well as a good source of useful information. A true bargain at the price - I would recommend it to anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of Britain of the period.Broad-Sword and Single-Stick (Illustrated Edition)
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
written when Victoria was Queen Empress of most of the world and the sun never set on the Empire. This book addresses the need for a gentleman to be able to defend himself against rougher elements of society and outlines the methods the authors feel will best suit the reader most of them are based on the idea that the reader will have some knowledge of fencing with a sabre and/or the oppertunity and leisure to join a fencing salon. fighting with a rifle and bayonet while useful to soldiers is not really a good technique for the streets of nottingham the use of the walking stick as a weapon of self defence is relevant if you are mature enough to get away with carrying one.
Purely for it insight into the minds of the victorians this is a great little book.
Purely for it insight into the minds of the victorians this is a great little book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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6 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Some nuggets, but confusing overall
23 Jan 2009
Amazon Verified Purchase
There were some good bits and pieces in here, and may be historically interesting, but was too confusing to be an improvement over other texts from the last half of the nineteenth century.
To their credit, the authors understood that awareness of one's surroundings is more important to personal security than weapons, and said as much explicitly. With regards to fencing, I absolutely agree with a couple of their points, like the need to learn foil before sabre, and the significance of the draw cut (essential for practical fencing with edged arms, but generally forgotten by sport fencers). And I firmly agree with their opinion that the displacement of swords by firearms is tragic (inevitable after the development of a reliable, repeating handgun, but another example of replacing individual training and development with a capital investment).
I have mixed feelings about a couple of points. The overlap, consistency, and repetition between broadsword and singlestick sections makes sense, but is defeated by variety of approaches to cuts, guards, and parries. The emphasis on the hanging guard (a modern fencer's prime or one) makes sense with the heavy cutting blade of a broadsword, or with a singlestick, but is of limited (if any) relevance with a lighter blade or a point weapon.
Things I didn't like, in no particular order;
-The bit of sword history completely missed the essential relationship between changes in armor and metallurgy and changes in sword.
-In 1890, they discuss cavalrymen cutting shields...
-They use several systems for numbering the guards, cuts, and parries, when they could have used one. This may be the single biggest choking point for me. It wouldn't have taken much effort to make this consistent, and would have made the book much more usable.
-They recommend that only fencers be bayonet coaches. This is like saying only pistol marksmen instruct rifle marksmenship; this does not make sense, and seems very parochial and protectionist.
-They fail to offer a structured discussion of footwork. This is in competition for the greatest failing of the entire work. Footwork is as critical to fencing (or any combative art) as point work.
If you've got a historical interest, read and enjoy. If you're a fencer, pass on this one.
E.M. Van Court
To their credit, the authors understood that awareness of one's surroundings is more important to personal security than weapons, and said as much explicitly. With regards to fencing, I absolutely agree with a couple of their points, like the need to learn foil before sabre, and the significance of the draw cut (essential for practical fencing with edged arms, but generally forgotten by sport fencers). And I firmly agree with their opinion that the displacement of swords by firearms is tragic (inevitable after the development of a reliable, repeating handgun, but another example of replacing individual training and development with a capital investment).
I have mixed feelings about a couple of points. The overlap, consistency, and repetition between broadsword and singlestick sections makes sense, but is defeated by variety of approaches to cuts, guards, and parries. The emphasis on the hanging guard (a modern fencer's prime or one) makes sense with the heavy cutting blade of a broadsword, or with a singlestick, but is of limited (if any) relevance with a lighter blade or a point weapon.
Things I didn't like, in no particular order;
-The bit of sword history completely missed the essential relationship between changes in armor and metallurgy and changes in sword.
-In 1890, they discuss cavalrymen cutting shields...
-They use several systems for numbering the guards, cuts, and parries, when they could have used one. This may be the single biggest choking point for me. It wouldn't have taken much effort to make this consistent, and would have made the book much more usable.
-They recommend that only fencers be bayonet coaches. This is like saying only pistol marksmen instruct rifle marksmenship; this does not make sense, and seems very parochial and protectionist.
-They fail to offer a structured discussion of footwork. This is in competition for the greatest failing of the entire work. Footwork is as critical to fencing (or any combative art) as point work.
If you've got a historical interest, read and enjoy. If you're a fencer, pass on this one.
E.M. Van Court
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Western Martial Arts from 1890 - Great Book !
22 Nov 2007
Format:Paperback
Broadsword and Singlestick was originally published in 1890, and then was brought back into print in 2006 as part of the Paladin Press section of books on western martial arts.
The book consists of an introduction, followed by short chapters on the use of the (1) quarterstaff, (2) broad-sword, (3) single-stick, (4) bayonet, and (5) the cudgel, shillelagh, walking-stick, umbrella, and various accessories. 116-pages in total.
Broadsword and Singlestick offers excellent historical perspective (it was written in 1890 after all), and some practical insight into the use of the weapons listed above. It should be noted that while there are certainly some possibilities for self-defense with the techniques discussed herein, the focus of the book is on the sporting aspects of these martial traditions (i.e. quarterstaff or bayonet competition).
The books is easy to read, and contains several drawing that serve to illustrate what is being discussed in the text.
For anyone interested in `western martial arts' Broadsword and Singlestick is a must-have addition to your library. Overall a very enjoyable book.
The book consists of an introduction, followed by short chapters on the use of the (1) quarterstaff, (2) broad-sword, (3) single-stick, (4) bayonet, and (5) the cudgel, shillelagh, walking-stick, umbrella, and various accessories. 116-pages in total.
Broadsword and Singlestick offers excellent historical perspective (it was written in 1890 after all), and some practical insight into the use of the weapons listed above. It should be noted that while there are certainly some possibilities for self-defense with the techniques discussed herein, the focus of the book is on the sporting aspects of these martial traditions (i.e. quarterstaff or bayonet competition).
The books is easy to read, and contains several drawing that serve to illustrate what is being discussed in the text.
For anyone interested in `western martial arts' Broadsword and Singlestick is a must-have addition to your library. Overall a very enjoyable book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Intro of british broadsword
5 Jan 2008
This reprint of an 1890 pamphlet is a welcome addition to the library of historical fencing.
Its style is livley, the authors showing the english love of fighting sport on every page. Its only fault is a partial lack of illustrations for some of the hand positions in thrusting, and the foot-shifting suggested for squad-exersise...thus, four stars.
Gear for this training I recommend:
-Hutton sabers by Hanwei or by Popinjay
-Singlesticks by Purpleheart
-"Fighting saber" DVD by A. DeLongis
Its style is livley, the authors showing the english love of fighting sport on every page. Its only fault is a partial lack of illustrations for some of the hand positions in thrusting, and the foot-shifting suggested for squad-exersise...thus, four stars.
Gear for this training I recommend:
-Hutton sabers by Hanwei or by Popinjay
-Singlesticks by Purpleheart
-"Fighting saber" DVD by A. DeLongis
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