The Polish Saber

Richard Marsden's organization in this book is exceptionally well suited to facilitating the evaluation and refinement of his interpretation of the primary sources on the use of the Polish saber in the 17th century. Included are significant selections from English translations of utilized primary texts and breakdowns of techniques, each technique referencing the relevant primary source with an excerpt; the total effect of Mr. Marsden's work here is a thorough and rational foundation, assembled in light of practical experience and academic insight, which may serve as a valuable platform from which to launch into the next explorations of how the eastern wielders of the saber employed this weapon to build such fearsome reputations. Though I generally find Richard Marsden's work to be useful, I am especially impressed by his pragmatic and exacting approach to this discipline and his contributions to its rediscovery. If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of historical saber techniques, this is one of the texts I would strongly recommend.

Amazon only shows the front and back cover of this rather impressive piece of both weapon history and use. The Bibliography on pages 232 and 233 demonstrates both the extent of the research, and the challenge. There are not many sources for any kind of saber, much less the rather distinctive Polish saber. This partly reflects the current, still early state of rediscover y of the ”fechtbuch ” - historic sources on the use of hand weapons, particularly for the duel. The oldest sources seem to capture the most attention – the result being the intense interest in I33 and the longsword of Fiore. Despite the long lineage of the saber, to Western audiences it tends to invoke the image of Napoleonic cavalry. This brings up the other challenge faced by the author – a relative scarcity of sources on the weapons of Central Europe, and a lack of knowledge of the theater. I was aware Poland was a major European power off and on for nearly two centuries, but until reading this work, I did not know the Thirty Years War largely missed the country. Fortunately, Mr. Marsden was quite willing to provide the necessary context. The extensive large format color photographs and illustrations make this work somewhat unique so far, in a book of instruction on the use of a historical fencing weapon. There have been many “coffee table” books, perhaps of similar size but not as long, depicting swords and other hand weapons, and some references on their use. However, this is an example, and probably a new example, of a “coffee table book” which can be used to learn a martial art. This book was a project, and a quick review of the five page illustrated “Acknowledgements” section shows that while the author was key, this was a team project, necessitated by the somewhat exotic subject matter, and the relative lack of English sources. Instead of relying on long quotes, there are a total of three chapters devoted to original sources: Polish, Italian and German. Reading a translation of an original essay or memoir from 17th Century Poland was more directly informative than reading an elaborate explanation. (Including the Messer from the German sources might be a “stretch”, since the relatively short, thick blade handles much differently, from personal experience.) The book excels in developing the context of the form of the Polish saber in both form and use. The irony here is profound, given the author currently being the President of the HEMA Alliance, and so many of its readers likely to be members of that organization, or similar groups. These practitioners go out of their way to differentiate themselves from those who attempt to create an immersive sub-culture – going so far as to ensure their club logo is featured prominently on kit, for reasons I suspect go beyond advertising. It was as if they were concerned re-creating court intrigue might somehow distract from “the art” they are so devoted to bring back to life. Slightly more than half of the work is under “Interpretation”, and this is where the format is probably ground breaking. In the vast majority of instructional books on swordsmanship, the readers must squint at a small grainy black and white image housed in a soon-to-crumble “perfect” binding. My version is hefty, hardcover and full color, which helps many, myself included, more quickly assimilate the image. If I want to look at the grip being used, I don’t need to wonder what a close up might have looked like, I can see it in the full figure photograph. The importance of the work transcends the specific subject matter – more books like this are needed for more weapons forms.

A very enjoyable and great read! For Fencers, Re-enactors and just plain Historical enthusiasts that have always been fascinated in the subject, this piece of literature is for you. Mr. Marsden is a pioneer in this popularly growing area of study and this text sets a strong and positive foundation of this subject of historical inquiry quite well. Straightforward yet more than detailed enough to vividly immerse the reader into the fascinating world of the traditional Saber Duel in the VIth-VIIth cent. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in so far as Mr. Marsden's painstaking research has revealed. Personally look forward to more texts on the subject from Mr. Marsden but in the mean time, his other works (also highly recommended) will have to fill in that space of anticipation :)

This book strikes a great balance between anecdotes, explanation of sources and related material, and detailed depictions and explanations of techniques. Being new to historical European martial arts but having done sport fencing in the past, I found the book engaging and very useful. It didn't hurt that I'm fascinated by the history of this period and region as well. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, swords, or HEMA, whether they are just getting started or a long time enthusiast. It's very well organized and even with the wealth of information and background, is a very quick and enjoyable read.

A very well put together book on polish saber, in fact it is the book if you have any interest in the subject. The book itself is very well made hardback and the photos are very clear. They layout is also well put together and easy to read and understand. One thing I will point out about, Amazon keeps saying the book is low or out of stock which seems like BS as it is a print to order book. The good news is that even if it says it is out of stock you can order it and get it in a few days.

A thoroughly excellent read, with excellent images and a incredibly clear view into the academic process involved in recreating the art of the Polish Saber. Clearly documented segments on the affiliated history, discussing the actual details of what makes up a Polish saber and how the weapon evolved, then detailing the different sources used to reconstruct the art itself. Moving from that into the actual discussion of the use of the saber itself, then detailing how this development can be brought into the modern HEMA setting. Read it once just for the pleasure of seeing how it was brought together, I'm expecting to be reading through this a number of times and gleaning more from it on each reading.

Very clear and concise drills, techniques and exercises coupled with historical examples and comparisons. As he reconstructs the Polish sabre methodology, you get comparable examples from other cultures as well.

Beautifully illustrated with full color photos and clear diagrams. As a fencing enthusiast I believe this is an excellent work on the Polish saber. Olympic saber fencing is boring by comparison. This is a very dynamic, exhilarating form of fencing.

What a splendid book this is. It comprises a potted history of the Polish/Lithuanian Commonwealth and the place of the hussars in that milieu as background to the main thrust (pun intended) of the book, which is to derive a feasible method for the use of the Polish sabre from the extremely limited source material. Mr Marsden achieves this through examining texts dealing with similar coaeval weapons from other countries and the, as previously mentioned. limited Polish sources. In my opinion he succeeds admirably in this intention providing a highly usable set of techniques that are applicable to sabre and even mediaeval arming sword fencing. The book is also lavishly illustrated throughout. Highly recommended.

This is essentially speculative HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). Whereas most HEMA styles were developed (and are still being developed) from extant manuals, this one pieces together seventeenth-century Polish fencing from brief contemporary references and foreign styles (all quoted in translation), later descriptions, and empirical trials. Marsden is well aware of the epistemological problems with this reconstruction, and never proceeds as if he had access to The Absolute Truth of Polish sabre fencing. His system is phrased explicitly as interpretation, and he acknowledges where there are gaps and guesses. The result is a hugely informative, extremely well illustrated (see photo), and seemingly quite useful sword manual. Many of the techniques will be familiar to anyone who’s studied single sword (e.g. Silver’s broadsword in my case), but the additional sabre attacks and defences are very interesting. My only complaint about POLISH SABER is the layout/printing. Its design is garish and frequently the text is poorly laid-out. And my binding was broken by the time it arrived: the title page fell out immediately, and more pages are loose. None of this alters Marsden’s excellent content, but it does undermine the reading a little. Overall, a unique and high quality HEMA publication.

Awesome book , History and technique of Polish Szabla.

Ein wirklich sehr lehrreiches und übersichtliches Buch über Säbel Kampf in Polen des 16 Jahrhunderts es wird nicht nur auf den Polnischen Säbel sondern auch über Polen an sich im 16-17 Jahrhundert Politisch sowie auch geografisch eine bedingungslose kaufempfelung für jeden der Hema oder Säbel interessiert ist.

I love sabre, it's such a graceful weapon and this book seems to do it justice. There's a history of the weapon, it's use in duelling and the time and place in which it was used - it's very interesting and well written. As a guide to its use, the instructions and illustrations are clear and I should be able to easily translate into the physical practice of the weapon. I don't readily spend £50 on any book but as it's selling at up to $160 on US HEMA websites, I figured it would be an investment.