The Duellist's Companion: A training manual for 17th century Italian rapier Paperback – October 15, 2013

This book is an invaluable resource for the beginning fencer or the intermediate looking to improve their game. It focuses heavily on building basic muscles, techniques, and mindsets, with useful pictures both of period plates and modern photographs.I fence with rapier in the Italian style in my local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and have found this book an excellent supplement to our weekly fencing lesson. If you learn better by reading than by doing, I recommend this book highly. Windsor does seem to assume that his reader has 12 hours a day to do exercises and a full-size, fully-equipped fencing salle to practice in, but taken with a grain of salt, his fanaticism is helpful, rather than hurtful. ;)

As someone who enjoys historical weaponry, I found Windsor's book to be of particular use, and his update and translation into a modern day training guide of Ferro's work is wonderful. The descriptions of techniques are easy to follow, and the illustrations are both plentiful and helpful. All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to any enthusiast out there.

Excellent book, very good in its presentation and the logical order in which the study of the rapier is introduced. The exercises to develop skills specific to the rapier are also excellent and of use to anyone who teaches medieval swordsmanship.

This book is modern WMA teacher Guy Windsor's interpretation of Italian 17th century rapier combat. I highly reccomend it because the book is directed at creating a complete system in the modern context. There are guards, thrusts, several footwork plays all with a good explanation and step by step visual instruction. On top of that there are plenty of drills for solo or group work and plenty of advice on core concepts. For a beginner, or instructor the book is very useful as both something to learn from, but also teach from.For those who like historical manuals, Windsor's 'catch all' Italian makes a great complimentary resource.Where the book falls a little flat is in the concept of gaining the blade, or stringere. Windsor does his best to explain the concept and show many pictures to elaborate, but the photography is not up to the challenge of clearly depicting what rapier blades are up to, creating a sense of many images that appear (but are not) the same.A minor issue, for the rest of the book is clearly photographed and easy to understand.

A great intermediate follow up read to The Swordsman's Companion that deals with slightly more advanced techniques and partner drills.

Very welll explained, thoroughly enjoying the simple instructions

Great book when used with Guy's videos on YouTube.

shipped quickly, product as described

Siempre he sentido curiosidad por el arte de la esgrima, en especial el practicarlo. Pero al ser de ciudad chica y que no tenga acceso a una escuela de esgrima olímpica, este libro me ha ayudado mucho a introducirme en la técnica con espada. Esta muy completo y lo recomiendo mucho.

Great book easy to read and follow instructions a must for any aspiring swords man/woman if they want to learn almost everything they need to know.

Guy Windsors Buch ist eine Offenbarung. In klaren verständlichen und oft humorvollen Sätzen wird hier zu dem Thema alles gesagt was gesagt werden muss. Meiner Meinung nach ein Standardwerk.Für Anfänger bis Fortgeschrittene bietet diese Schrift alles relevante und in klaren Bild für Bild Folgen kann jeder die wichtigen Abläufe ablesen. Danke Guy Windsor für dieses überragende Rapierfechtbuch.Hugo FauchezSchweiz

Really fine introduktion to Italian rapier.... with some really good exercises that will get you started on the right path...

Guy Windsor ist ein toller Lehrer. Gerade für Rapieranfänger sind sehr viele seiner Übungen sinnvoll, um den Körper auf die Waffe vorzubereiten. Die Partnerlektionen sind gut erklärt und leicht nachvollziehbar. Ich mag seine Art zu fechten.Ich würde jedoch meinen, dass nicht alles auf dem neuesten Stand der Capoferro-Schule ist, deshalb ein Punkt Abzug.Dennoch, auch jetzt, noch immer ein gutes Buch für Leute, die mit dem Rapier anfangen wollen oder sich alleine mit Capoferro beschäftigen und ein bisschen Hilfe brauchen.