Fighting with the German Longsword Paperback – Illustrated, 28 Feb. 2016

The new chapter

I gave this three stars not because I disagree with some of Mr Tobler's interpretations in this work (and I believe he now does) nor because I think it's not useful. I just find it lacking compared to his previous book on essentially the same topic,  Secrets of German Medieval Swordsmanship: Sigmund Ringeck's Commentaries on Liechtenauer's Verses  (hereafter "Secrets").What's extra or new in this version: some couching on basics like footwork and posture, but at a relatively basic level, and some guidance on kit and training. There are a rather useful set of flowcharts from different techniques, but I had already made my own while reading Ringeck!What's not in here: a source.That makes it hard to read his interpretations with a critical eye. That might just be important - in Secrets, for example, I have noticed places where Mr Tobler substituted left leg for right leg, with his own commentary next to the translation. That makes rather an impact on the technique! While Mr Tobler's interpretations have evolved since Secrets, they have also almost certainly evolved since this book as well. It's worth noting that unlike Secrets, there does not seem to be any errata or revisions available for this book. Mr Tobler is honest enough to admit that he's often wrong (like anyone else doing HEMA for more than a year should, he junks what he thought he knew and replaces it with what he know thinks he knows) but as important as presenting an interpretation is, I feel having a source to work from is essential.Mr Tobler's translation work elsewhere has been top notch, and I worry I have been harsh in marking this book down for not being such. However, the lack of a primary source is a severe limit on it's use to me.Those concerned with ethical issues (or even (shudder) "chivalric* ones) should go and search out the recent issues between publisher and author involved, and consider the source of their purchase.

Good item. It's a bit shallow, and you cant really learn anything but the basis