Advertisement
| best sword in history: The Book of the Sword Sir Richard Francis Burton, 1884 |
| best sword in history: The Medieval Crossbow ELLIS-GORMAN STUART, 2022-05-30 The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman's detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable. The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art. The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow's early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages. This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author's own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages. |
| best sword in history: Shadow of the Conqueror Shad M. Brooks, 2022-09-14 |
| best sword in history: Roman Military Equipment from the Punic Wars to the Fall of Rome, second edition M. C. Bishop, John Coulston, 2006-04-22 Rome's rise to empire is often said to have owed much to the efficiency and military skill of her armies and their technological superiority over barbarian enemies. But just how 'advanced' was Roman military equipment? What were its origins and how did it evolve? The authors of this book have gathered a wealth of evidence from all over the Roman Empire - excavated examples as well as pictorial and documentary sources - to present a picture of what range of equipment would be available at any given time, what it would look like and how it would function. They examine how certain pieces were adopted from Rome's enemies and adapted to particular conditions of warfare prevailing in different parts of the Empire. They also investigate in detail the technology of military equipment and the means by which it was produced, and discuss wider questions such as the status of the soldier in Roman society. Both the specially prepared illustrations and the text have been completely revised for the second edition of this detailed and authoritative handbook, bringing it up to date with the very latest research. It illustrates each element in the equipment of the Roman soldier, from his helmet to his boots, his insignia, his tools and his weapons. This book will appeal to archaeologists, ancient and military historians as well as the generally informed and inquisitive reader. |
| best sword in history: Sword of the Rightful King Jane Yolen, 2004 The newly crowned King Arthur has yet to win the support of the people. Merlin must do something before the king is betrayed, or murdered, or--worst of all--gets married. So Merlin creates a trick: a sword magically placed into a slab of rock that only Arthur can withdraw. Then he lets it be known that whosoever removes the blade will rule all of England, and invites any man who would dare, to try to pull out the sword. But then someone else pulls the sword out first. . . . |
| best sword in history: Battle of Britain The Movie Dilip Sarkar, Robert J Rudhall, 2023-06-30 Released in 1969, the film Battle of Britain went on to become one of the most iconic war movies ever produced. The film drew many respected British actors to accept roles as key figures of the battle, including Sir Laurence Olivier as Hugh Dowding and Trevor Howard as Keith Park. It also starred Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer and Robert Shaw as squadron leaders. As well as its large all-star international cast, the film was notable for its spectacular flying sequences which were on a far grander scale than anything that had been seen on film before. At the time of its release, Battle of Britain was singled out for its efforts to portray the events of the summer of 1940 in great accuracy. To achieve this, Battle of Britain veterans such as Group Captain Tom Gleave, Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, Wing Commander Douglas Bader, Squadron Leader BolesÅaw DrobiÅski and Luftwaffe General Adolf Galland were all involved as consultants. This detailed description of the making of the film is supported by a mouth-watering selection of pictures that were taken during the production stages. The images cover not only the many vintage aircraft used in the film, but also the airfields, the actors, and even the merchandise which accompanied the filmâs release in 1969 â plus a whole lot more. There are numerous air-to-air shots of the Spitfires, Messerschmitts, Hurricanes and Heinkels that were brought together for the film. There are also images that capture the moment that Battle of Britain veterans, some of whom were acting as consultants, visited the sets. Interviews with people who worked on the film, such as Hamish Mahaddie, John Blake and Ron Goodwin, among others, bring the story to life. |
| best sword in history: Silver, Sword, and Stone Marie Arana, 2020-08-18 Winner, American Library Association Booklist’s Top of the List, 2019 Adult Nonfiction Acclaimed writer Marie Arana delivers a cultural history of Latin America and the three driving forces that have shaped the character of the region: exploitation (silver), violence (sword), and religion (stone). “Meticulously researched, [this] book’s greatest strengths are the power of its epic narrative, the beauty of its prose, and its rich portrayals of character…Marvelous” (The Washington Post). Leonor Gonzales lives in a tiny community perched 18,000 feet above sea level in the Andean cordillera of Peru, the highest human habitation on earth. Like her late husband, she works the gold mines much as the Indians were forced to do at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Illiteracy, malnutrition, and disease reign as they did five hundred years ago. And now, just as then, a miner’s survival depends on a vast global market whose fluctuations are controlled in faraway places. Carlos Buergos is a Cuban who fought in the civil war in Angola and now lives in a quiet community outside New Orleans. He was among hundreds of criminals Cuba expelled to the US in 1980. His story echoes the violence that has coursed through the Americas since before Columbus to the crushing savagery of the Spanish Conquest, and from 19th- and 20th-century wars and revolutions to the military crackdowns that convulse Latin America to this day. Xavier Albó is a Jesuit priest from Barcelona who emigrated to Bolivia, where he works among the indigenous people. He considers himself an Indian in head and heart and, for this, is well known in his adopted country. Although his aim is to learn rather than proselytize, he is an inheritor of a checkered past, where priests marched alongside conquistadors, converting the natives to Christianity, often forcibly, in the effort to win the New World. Ever since, the Catholic Church has played a central role in the political life of Latin America—sometimes for good, sometimes not. In this “timely and excellent volume” (NPR) Marie Arana seamlessly weaves these stories with the history of the past millennium to explain three enduring themes that have defined Latin America since pre-Columbian times: the foreign greed for its mineral riches, an ingrained propensity to violence, and the abiding power of religion. Silver, Sword, and Stone combines “learned historical analysis with in-depth reporting and political commentary...[and] an informed and authoritative voice, one that deserves a wide audience” (The New York Times Book Review). |
| best sword in history: Emperor's Sword Alex Gough, 2022-07-26 This edition originally published in the United Kingdom in 2020 by Canelo.--Title page verso. |
| best sword in history: The Romance of Duelling in All Times and Countries Andrew Steinmetz, 1868 |
| best sword in history: The Dread Wyrm Miles Cameron, 2015-10-20 Some are born to power. Some seize it. And some have the wisdom never to wield it. The Red Knight has stood against soldiers, armies and the might of an empire without flinching. He's fought on real and magical battlefields alike, and now he's facing one of the greatest challenges yet. A tournament. A joyous spring event, the flower of the nobility will ride against each other for royal favor and acclaim. It's a political contest -- one which the Red Knight has the skill to win. But the stakes may be higher than he thinks. The court of Alba has been infiltrated by a dangerous faction of warlike knights, led by the greatest knight in the world: Jean de Vrailly -- and the prize he's fighting for isn't royal favor, but the throne of Alba itself... This is the third book in the Traitor Son Cycle, following on The Red Knight and The Fell Sword. |
| best sword in history: Sharps K. J. Parker, 2012-07-17 K.J. Parker's new stand-alone novel is a perfectly executed tale of intrigue and deception. For the first time in nearly forty years, an uneasy truce has been called between two neighbouring kingdoms. The war has been long and brutal, fought over the usual things: resources, land, money. . . Now, there is a chance for peace. Diplomatic talks have begun and with them, the games. Two teams of fencers represent their nations at this pivotal moment. When the future of the world lies balanced on the point of a rapier, one misstep could mean ruin for all. Human nature being what it is, does peace really have a chance? |
| best sword in history: The Swords of George Washington Erik Goldstein, Stuart C. Mowbray, Brian Hendelson, 2016-02-01 |
| best sword in history: The Sword and the Crucible Alan Williams, 2012-05-03 The sword was the most important of weapons, the symbol of the warrior, not to mention the badge of a officer and a gentleman. Much has been written about the artistic and historical significance of the sword, but outside specialised publications, relatively little about its metallurgy, and that often confined to a particular group. This book aims to tell the story of the making of iron and steel swords from the first Celtic examples through the Middle Ages to the Early Modern period. The results of the microscopic examination of over a hundred swords by the author and other archaeometallurgists are given and explained in terms of the materials available in Europe. |
| best sword in history: Constantine's Sword James Carroll, 2002 A rare book that combines searing passion with a subject that has affected all of our lives. Chicago Tribune Novelist, cultural critic, and former priest James Carroll marries history with memoir as he maps the two-thousand-year course of the Church s battle against Judaism and faces the crisis of faith it has sparked in his own life. Fascinating, brave, and sometimes infuriating (Time), this dark history is more than a chronicle of religion. It is the central tragedy of Western civilization, its fault lines reaching deep into our culture to create a deeply felt work (San Francisco Chronicle) as Carroll wrangles with centuries of strife and tragedy to reach a courageous and affecting reckoning with difficult truths. |
| best sword in history: The Years of Rice and Salt Kim Stanley Robinson, 2003-06-03 With the same unique vision that brought his now classic Mars trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author Kim Stanley Robinson boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know. . . . “A thoughtful, magisterial alternate history from one of science fiction’s most important writers.”—The New York Times Book Review It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur—the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe’s population was destroyed. But what if the plague had killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been—one that stretches across centuries, sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, and spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation. Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson navigates a world where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions, while Christianity is merely a historical footnote. Probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power—and even love—in this bold New World. “Exceptional and engrossing.”—New York Post “Ambitious . . . ingenious.”—Newsday |
| best sword in history: The Last Duel Eric Jager, 2005-09-13 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • “A taut page-turner with all the hallmarks of a good historical thriller.”—Orlando Sentinel The gripping true story of the duel to end all duels in medieval France as a resolute knight defends his wife’s honor against the man she accuses of a heinous crime In the midst of the devastating Hundred Years’ War between France and England, Jean de Carrouges, a Norman knight fresh from combat in Scotland, returns home to yet another deadly threat. His wife, Marguerite, has accused squire Jacques Le Gris of rape. A deadlocked court decrees a trial by combat between the two men that will also leave Marguerite’s fate in the balance. For if her husband loses the duel, she will be put to death as a false accuser. While enemy troops pillage the land, and rebellion and plague threaten the lives of all, Carrouges and Le Gris meet in full armor on a walled field in Paris. What follows is the final duel ever authorized by the Parlement of Paris, a fierce fight with lance, sword, and dagger before a massive crowd that includes the teenage King Charles VI, during which both combatants are wounded—but only one fatally. Based on extensive research in Normandy and Paris, The Last Duel brings to life a colorful, turbulent age and three unforgettable characters caught in a fatal triangle of crime, scandal, and revenge. The Last Duel is at once a moving human drama, a captivating true crime story, and an engrossing work of historical intrigue with themes that echo powerfully centuries later. |
| best sword in history: Records of the Medieval Sword Ewart Oakeshott, 1991 An extensive and thorough study of the origins, development and usage of the glamorous two-edged knightly sword of the European middle ages, with a complete typology. Spanning the period from the great migrations to the Renaissance, this book presents a selection from a very large body of photographs and research and gives a full and detailed record of the swords of that turbulent time. |
| best sword in history: The Sword Lisa Deutscher, Mirjam Kaiser, Sixt Wetzler, 2019 A multidisciplinary overview of current research into the enduringly fascinating martial artefact which is the sword. |
| best sword in history: Polish Saber Richard Marsden, 2020-12 Polish Saber - The use of the Polish Saber on foot in the 17th century covers the history, anecdotes and use of Poland's iconic weapon. In matters of honor and personal safety the saber was the Polish nobleman's choice of arms. The concept of the duel, the form and function of the weapon, as well as source material from Poland, Italy and Germany are blended together in an interpretation presented in full-color. The work is suitable for history enthusiasts, Historical European Martial Artists and re-creationists who wish to explore Poland's Commonwealth and the weapon that symbolized its nobility. |
| best sword in history: Ancient Chinese Warfare Ralph D. Sawyer, 2011-03-01 The history of China is a history of warfare. Rarely in its 3,000-year existence has the country not been beset by war, rebellion, or raids. Warfare was a primary source of innovation, social evolution, and material progress in the Legendary Era, Hsia dynasty, and Shang dynasty -- indeed, war was the force that formed the first cohesive Chinese empire, setting China on a trajectory of state building and aggressive activity that continues to this day. In Ancient Chinese Warfare, a preeminent expert on Chinese military history uses recently recovered documents and archaeological findings to construct a comprehensive guide to the developing technologies, strategies, and logistics of ancient Chinese militarism. The result is a definitive look at the tools and methods that won wars and shaped culture in ancient China. |
| best sword in history: The Sword in the Age of Chivalry Ewart Oakeshott, 1998 The Resplendent image of the medieval knight is concentrated in the symbolism of his sword. The straight, two-edged, cross-hilted knightly sword of the European middle ages was an object of vital importance, a lethal weapon on the battlefield and a badge of chivalry in that complex social code. Ewart Oakeshott draws on his extensive research and expert eye (and hand, for he has a special sense for the feel of a sword) to develop a typology for and recount the history of the sword, from the knightly successors of the Viking weapon to the emergence of the Renaissance sword - that is, roughly from 1050 to 1550. Within this time-span, two distinct groups of swords successively evolved. Problems of dating are acute, and evidence is adduced from literature and art as well as from archaeology, for a sword (or some parts of a sword) could have been in use several generations after it first saw battle. To deal with such overlap, Ewart Oakeshott develops, refines and illustrates a detailed typology of swords which takes in entire swords, pommel-forms, cross-guards, and the grip and scabbard. |
| best sword in history: The Art of Sword Combat Joachim Meyer, 2016-08-31 This sixteenth-century German guide to sword fighting and combat training is a crucial source for understanding medieval swordplay techniques. Following his translation of Joachim Meyer’s The Art of Combat, Jeffrey L. Forgeng was alerted to an earlier version of Meyer’s text, discovered in Lund University Library in Sweden. The manuscript, produced in Strasbourg around 1568, is illustrated with thirty watercolor images and seven ink diagrams. The text covers combat with the longsword (hand-and-a-half sword), dusack (a one-handed practice weapon comparable to a sabre), and rapier. The manuscript’s theoretical discussion of guards sheds significant light on this key feature of the historical practice, not just in relation to Meyer but in relation to medieval combat systems in general. The Art of Sword Combat also offers an extensive repertoire of training drills for both the dusack and the rapier, a feature largely lacking in treatises of the period and critical to modern reconstructions of the practice. Forgeng’s translation also includes a biography of Meyer, much of which has only recently come to light, as well as technical terminology and other essential information for understanding and contextualizing the work. |
| best sword in history: The Medieval Longsword Dr. Guy Windsor, 2020-08-20 Ever wonder how good you’d be with a sword? This book is for you. Do love movie sword fights? Learn how real sword fights work. Are you into stage combat? Add depth with historically accurate technique. You’re a bad uncle looking for a present for your niece? Get her this book, though her parents might hate you. Or do you just like swords? If you’ve ever wanted to turn your sword dreams into reality, then this book is for you. Anyone can learn the medieval Art of the longsword. This book will give you a thorough grounding in the techniques and tactics from the 600-year-old manuscript Il Fior di Battaglia, and includes free access to additional resources such as videos and full-sized images, to help you translate the movements from page to real life. Sure, it’s a 600-year old manuscript, but you know what? People who studied this manuscript lived. Why not stick with something that works? The Medieval Longsword covers everything you need to know from tools of the trade, to footwork, strikes and defences, to how to exploit your adversary’s mistakes, and how to disarm your opponent. This complete and approachable guide to the Art of Arms provides a gateway to a world-wide community of likeminded people also practicing this historical martial art. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a competent fencer, this book by author and internationally renowned swordsman Guy Windsor will guide you towards mastery of this ancient Art. |
| best sword in history: The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story M. L. Wang, 2019-02-13 Better to die sharp in war than rust through a time of peace. A mother struggling to repress her violent past, A son struggling to grasp his violent future, A father blind to the danger that threatens them all. When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores?High on a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire's enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name 'The Sword of Kaigen.'Born into Kusanagi's legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family's fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen's alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be. Worse, the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies.Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her growing son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of an impending invasion looming across the sea, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface. |
| best sword in history: The Flower of Battle , 2018-07-12 The Flower of Battle is Colin Hatcher's translation of Fiore dei Liberi's art of combat from the early 15th century. The work included high-resolution images and English text laid out in the manner of the original. |
| best sword in history: The Medieval Art of Swordsmanship Jeffrey L. Forgeng, 2018 Jointly Published with the British Royal Armouries Medieval fighting has long been thought to be rough and untutored. Visions of men madly slashing to and fro and hoping for the best still dominate not only popular culture but modern histories of fencing as well. In recent years, the survival of more than 175 fighting treatises from the Middle Ages and Renaissance has provided a whole generation of enthusiasts, scholars, reenactors and stage choreographers with a wealth of new information. This text represents the earliest known text on swordsmanship anywhere in the world. Royal Armouries MS I.33 presents a system of combat that is sophisticated and demonstrates the diffusion of fighting arts beyond the military classes. Within the manuscripts richly illustrated full-color illustrations lie still-potent demonstrates of sword techniques, surprisingly shown by a Priest and Scholar. Most surprisingly, however, is the presence of a woman practcing in the text, the only one illustrated in any European fighting treatise. This full color facsimile & translation has been long-awaited and promises to become an important resource for years to come |
| best sword in history: Better a Shield Than a Sword Edward Teller, 1987 Includes material on the history of the atomic bomb and the hydrogen bomb; the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; secrecy in physics; Ernest Orlando Lawrence; radiation hazards; Chernobyl; China syndrome; and the role of the scientist. |
| best sword in history: The Way of Kings Brandon Sanderson, 2014-03-04 A new epic fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author chosen to complete Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time® Series |
| best sword in history: Renaissance Swordsmanship John Clements, 1997-03-01 This is the most thorough work ever about historical swordsmanship. It is both a general reference and an instructional guide for advanced and beginning sword enthusiasts, students of military history and martial artists. Includes rare historical info and 100 original drawings. |
| best sword in history: The Great Mental Models, Volume 1 Shane Parrish, Rhiannon Beaubien, 2024-10-15 Discover the essential thinking tools you’ve been missing with The Great Mental Models series by Shane Parrish, New York Times bestselling author and the mind behind the acclaimed Farnam Street blog and “The Knowledge Project” podcast. This first book in the series is your guide to learning the crucial thinking tools nobody ever taught you. Time and time again, great thinkers such as Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett have credited their success to mental models–representations of how something works that can scale onto other fields. Mastering a small number of mental models enables you to rapidly grasp new information, identify patterns others miss, and avoid the common mistakes that hold people back. The Great Mental Models: Volume 1, General Thinking Concepts shows you how making a few tiny changes in the way you think can deliver big results. Drawing on examples from history, business, art, and science, this book details nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making and productivity. This book will teach you how to: Avoid blind spots when looking at problems. Find non-obvious solutions. Anticipate and achieve desired outcomes. Play to your strengths, avoid your weaknesses, … and more. The Great Mental Models series demystifies once elusive concepts and illuminates rich knowledge that traditional education overlooks. This series is the most comprehensive and accessible guide on using mental models to better understand our world, solve problems, and gain an advantage. |
| best sword in history: The Blue Sword Robin McKinley, 2016-04-26 A Newbery Honor Book and a modern classic of young adult fantasy, The Blue Sword introduces the desert kingdom of Damar, where magic weaves through the blood and weaves together destinies. New York Times–bestselling and award-winning author Robin McKinley sets the standard for epic fantasy and compelling, complex heroines. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Rae Carson will delight in discovering the rich world of Damar. Harry Crewe is a Homelander orphan girl, come to live in Damar from over the seas. She is drawn to the bleak landscape, so unlike the green hills of her Homeland. She wishes she might cross the sands and climb the dark mountains where no Homelander has ever set foot, where the last of the old Damarians, the Free Hillfolk, live. Corlath is the golden-eyed king of the Free Hillfolk, son of the sons of the legendary Lady Aerin. When he arrives in Harry’s town to ally with the Homelanders against a common enemy, he never expects to set Harry’s destiny in motion: She will ride into battle as a King’s Rider, bearing the Blue Sword, the great mythical treasure, which no one has wielded since Lady Aerin herself. Legends and myths, no matter how epic, no matter how magical, all begin somewhere. |
| best sword in history: Book Lovers Emily Henry, 2022-05-03 “One of my favorite authors.”—Colleen Hoover An insightful, delightful, instant #1 New York Times bestseller from the author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation. Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Oprah Daily ∙ Today ∙ Parade ∙ Marie Claire ∙ Bustle ∙ PopSugar ∙ Katie Couric Media ∙ Book Bub ∙ SheReads ∙ Medium ∙ The Washington Post ∙ and more! One summer. Two rivals. A plot twist they didn't see coming... Nora Stephens' life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby. Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves. |
| best sword in history: Son of the Black Sword Larry Correia, 2016-08-30 #1 IN A NEW EPIC FANTASY SERIES from Monster Hunter series creator and New York Times best-selling author, Larry Correia! After the War of the Gods, the demons were cast out and fell to the world. Mankind was nearly eradicated by the seemingly unstoppable beasts, until the gods sent the great hero, Ramrowan, to save them. He united the tribes, gave them magic, and drove the demons into the sea. Ever since the land has belonged to man and the oceans have remained an uncrossable hell, leaving the continent of Lok isolated. It was prophesized that someday the demons would return, and only the descendants of Ramrowan would be able to defeat them. They became the first kings, and all men served those who were their only hope for survival. As centuries passed, the descendants of the great hero grew in number and power. They became tyrannical and cruel, and their religion nothing but an excuse for greed. Gods and demons became myth and legend, and the people no longer believed. The castes created to serve the Sons of Ramrowan rose up and destroyed their rulers. All religion was banned and replaced by a code of unflinching law. The surviving royalty and their priests were made casteless, condemned to live as untouchables, and the Age of Law began. Ashok Vadal has been chosen by a powerful ancient weapon to be its bearer. He is a Protector, member of an elite militant order of roving law enforcers. No one is more merciless in rooting out those who secretly practice the old ways. Everything is black or white, good or evil, until he discovers his entire life is a fraud. Ashok isn’t who he thinks he is, and when he finds himself on the wrong side of the law, the consequences lead to rebellion, war—and destruction. About Son of the Black Sword: This book has everything I like in fantasy: intense action scenes, evil in horrifying array, good struggling against the darkness, and most of all people—gorgeously flawed human beings faced with horrible moral choices that force them to question and change and grow.—Jim Butcher, creator of the New York Times best-selling Dresden Files Best-selling fantasy author Correia casts a compelling spell with this India-influenced series opener. . . . Correia skillfully sets in motion this story of plots within plots, revealing complex, sympathetic characters and black-hearted villains with equal detail and insight. Full of action, intrigue, and wry humor, this exciting series launch promises many more thrills to come.—Publishers Weekly (starred review) Fans who like Correia’s fast-moving style will be pleased with the plethora of action scenes, and epic fantasy readers interested in delving into a new universe should be equally satisfied. A solid choice for admirers of Brent Weeks and Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series.—Library Journal Correia is, above all, a storyteller, and he weaves a unique and entertaining tale.Without question, his action sequences pop on the page, his magic system has a nice wrinkle, and he has the foundations laid out for some excellent character growth as the series continues. . . . [A] definite hit.—Bookreporter The lore here is fascinating and well told. I enjoyed learning the history of the world and the legend of Ramrowan. The politics are just complicated enough to feel real without being too difficult to follow. Where the book truly shines, however, is in the characters. All are well drawn and distinctively voiced.—SFCrowsnest “I loved the book, it was great, fast paced, with wonderful characters, and also a lot of wonderful scenes that screamed to be painted.”—Larry Elmore, legendary, award-winning artist, and cover artist for Son of the Black Sword. Son of the Black Sword: Saga of the Forgotten Warrior tells of what happens after the war with the gods, when demons were cast out and fell to the world to nearly destroy these unstoppable beasts until the gods sent a hero to save them. Centuries have passed since this event and the people have regulated these events to legend. One Ashok has been chosen to be a protector with a powerful weapon in hand, uncovering those who still practice old ways and are potential dangers to the order - but when he discovers all his efforts have been based on a lie, everything's about to change. A powerful epic fantasy evolves into a solid, compelling read.—Midwest Book Reivew About the Urban Fantasy of Larry Correia: “[A] no-holds-barred all-out page turner that is part science fiction, part horror, and an absolute blast to read.”—Bookreporter.com “If you love monsters and action, you’ll love this book. If you love guns, you’ll love this book. If you love fantasy, and especially horror fantasy, you’ll love this book.”—Knotclan.com “A gun person who likes science fiction—or, heck, anyone who likes science fiction—will enjoy [these books]. . . The plotting is excellent, and Correia makes you care about the characters…I read both books without putting them down except for work . . . so whaddaya waitin’ for? Go and buy some . . . for yourself and for stocking stuffers.”—Massad Ayoob “This lighthearted, testosterone-soaked sequel to 2009's Monster Hunter International will delight fans of action horror with elaborate weaponry, hand-to-hand combat, disgusting monsters, and an endless stream of blood and body parts.”—Publishers Weekly on Monster Hunter Vendetta |
| best sword in history: Warbreaker Brandon Sanderson, 2011-12-29 THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON BEHIND THE COSMERE A STANDALONE COSMERE ADVENTURE WITH MAGIC AS YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT **** A story of two sisters, who just so happen to be princesses. A story about two gods, one a God King and one lesser. A story about an immortal trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Meet WARBREAKER. This is a story of two sisters - who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, a lesser god, and an immortal trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Theirs is a world in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city. A world transformed by BioChromatic magic, a power based on an essence known as breath. Using magic is arduous: breath can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people. But the rewards are great: by using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects, all manner of miracles and mischief can be performed. **** SANDERSON THE EPIC FANTASY TITAN: 'Exceptional tale of magic, mystery and the politics of divinity' MICHAEL MOORCOCK 'A powerful stand-alone tale of unpredictable loyalties, dark intrigue and dangerous magic' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 'Sanderson is astonishingly wise' ORSON SCOTT CARD 'Epic in every sense' GUARDIAN |
| best sword in history: Swords of the Viking Age , 2002 This title surveys some 60 examples of swords made and used in northern Europe during the Viking Age, from the mid 8th to the mid-11th century. It contains an illustrated overview of blade types and construction, pattern-welding, inscriptions and handle forms and Jan Petersen's classification. |
| best sword in history: The Complete Taiji Dao Zhang Yun, 2009-06-23 The dao, a single-edged sword with a curved blade, is one of the most popular weapons in traditional Chinese martial arts. The art of Taiji Dao is a set of skills for using the dao, derived from the popular martial art Taijiquan. One of the most important aspects of Taijiquan practice is weapons training, eagerly pursued by students who have become adept in the basic skills of the art. The Complete Taiji Dao introduces the principles and practice of Taiji Dao and provides illustrated discussions of the history of Chinese swords. The book covers the history and features of the dao; the Taiji principles from which Taiji Dao practice derives; the basic skills and techniques of the art; detailed descriptions and photographs of the traditional Taiji Dao form; and Taiji Dao fighting principles and training methods. Broad in scope and detailed in its presentation of the principles and practice of Taiji Dao, The Complete Taiji Dao represents a significant contribution to the field of traditional Chinese weapons practice. |
| best sword in history: Rethinking Chivalry and Courtly Love Jennifer G. Wollock, 2011-04-07 Considers non-Christian and non-European roots and descendants of these two ideas. |
| best sword in history: Sword Fighting Herbert Schmidt, 2014 A comprehensive introduction to the subject of sword fighting: Herbert Schmidt explains the fundamentals of fighting with the long sword, the guards, cuts and Master Cuts, as well as advanced techniques and tactics for practical fighting. These also include wrestling at the sword. Typical combat sequences, equipment tips, cutting tests, training and free fighting, plus an extensive glossary round out this new standard work. Its modern approach and numerous photos make this book a valuable textbook and reference work. Herbert Schmidt is the leader of Ars Gladii, the Austrian swordfighting club, and is part of an international research community that is reconstructing historical European swordfighting and awakening it to new life. He is acknowledged as an expert far beyond the borders of Austria. |
| best sword in history: Medieval Art of Sword and Shield Paul Wagner, Stephen Hand, 2003-11-15 Royal Armouries MS I.33 Companion Deciphering the martial techniques in RA MS I.33 can be difficult. Paul Wagner & Stephen Hand of the Stoccata School of Defence, Sydney, have studied the manuscript for five years, working to unlock its intriguing secrets. What emerges is a complex system of civilian sword and buckler combat (including wrestling).All of the I.33 techniques are presented here with clear text are presented with more than 400 photographic illustrations, a complet martial arts system useful for historical martial artists, reenactors, SCA combatants, or any student of medieval military history. Alone or as a companion to Dr. Jeffrey Forgeng's Medieval Art of Swordsmanship, this book is sure to become a swordsmanship and martial arts classic. |
| best sword in history: Weapon , 2008 The ultimate record of arms and armour through the ages - in a new compact edition. An epic 4,000-year illustrated story of weaponry. From stone axes to heavy machine-guns, swords to sniper rifles, discover the innovative design, range, lethal function and brutal history of arms and armour, and meet the warriors who wielded them. Includes all the important arms through the ages, covering edged weapons, clubs, projectiles and firearms. From ancient Egyptian axes, through traditional bows and spears of Africa, Oceania and the Americas, to the machine-guns and missiles of modern infantry. Key weapons from every era are presented in sharp detail and the mechanisms that operate them are displayed and explained. Top fighting forces, from the Greek hoplite to the Navy Seal are profiled, revealing the weapons they have wielded and the tactics and fighting methods they've used. |
adverbs - About "best" , "the best" , and "most" - English Language ...
Oct 20, 2016 · I like you best. I like chocolate best, better than anything else. can be used when what one is choosing from is not specified. I like you the best. Between chocolate, vanilla, and …
articles - "it is best" vs. "it is the best" - English Language ...
Jan 2, 2016 · This is the best car in the garage. We use articles like the and a before nouns, like car. The word "best" is an adjective, and adjectives do not take articles by themselves. Because the …
"Which one is the best" vs. "which one the best is"
May 25, 2022 · "Which one is the best" is obviously a question format, so it makes sense that "which one the best is" should be the correct form. This is very good instinct, and you could even …
expressions - "it's best" - how should it be used? - English …
Dec 8, 2020 · 3 "It's best (if) he (not) buy it tomorrow." is not a subjunctive form, and some options do not work well. 3A It's best he buy it tomorrow. the verb tense is wrong with 3A. Better would …
grammar - It was the best ever vs it is the best ever? - English ...
May 29, 2023 · "It was the best ever" means either it was the best up to that point in time, and a better one may have happened since then, or it includes up to the present. So, " Michael Jordan …
Word choice - Way of / to / for - Way of / to / for - English Language ...
Jun 16, 2020 · The best way to use "the best way" is to follow it with an infinitive. However, this is not the only way to use the phrase; "the best way" can also be followed by of with a gerund: The …
grammar - Like best/the best like most/the most - English …
Everybody in that house knows how to fix cars ,but the oldest brother knows the best. Everybody in that house knows how to fix cars, but the oldest brother knows the most. All my sisters play …
plural forms - It's/I'm acting in your best interest/interests ...
Dec 17, 2014 · have someone's (best) interests at heart (=want to help them): He claims he has only my best interests at heart. be in someone's/something's (best) interest(s) (=bring an advantage …
definite article - I think a/the best friend is a/the person - English ...
Jan 8, 2025 · The response is defining "a" (unknown, unspecified) best friend, not a specific one (contrast with "the best friend I had in high school", for example). If the second article was "the", …
meaning - Known As, Better known as, Best known as - English …
Oct 29, 2019 · She is known as the author of The New York Times best-selling series The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games trilogy. These are sentences that have the phrase "known …
American Patriotic Swords and Dirks: Arms Celebrating the …
sword blades, dating around 1790 or slightly before. In the eyes of many, it remains un-equaled as an expression of American patriotic pride. 92/2 Figure 4. Federal shield from Figure 2. Figure …
THE HISTORY OF THE RAPIER - Worcester Polytechnic …
2. History of the Rapier 2.1. Defining the Rapier A rapier is a long, one-handed, thrusting sword commonly used throughout Western Europe during the 16th century. There are many styles of …
U.S. Army Artifact Spotlight - JSTOR
French Heavy Cavalry Sword 24 Army History Winter 2014 -hilt, with a wire-wrapped leather grip. he Model 1840 cavalry saber was the last of ... studies to resolve their own debate regarding …
MESSER WORKBOOK - swordfight.uk
sword; the rest forward on out on the messer to the tip is the weak. 6 | P a g e. 7 | P a g e Principles of Messer combat Hans Lecküchner followed the traditional system of fencing as …
Figures of Justice - Supreme Court of the United States
May 22, 2003 · sword. The sword remains sheathed, but her hand rests atop the hilt, ready to act should the need arise. Above: Blindfolded Justice on the base of the lamppost of the front …
Order of the Sword - Air University
a sword by his command. The old ‘Royal Order of the Sword” ceremony was revised, updated, and adopted by the noncommissioned officers of the United States Air Force in 1967. The …
AIRMAN’S - AF
Aug 28, 2015 · Honor, And a Legacy of Valor: History makes you smarter, and heritage makes you prouder. Heritage is a reflection of our past and shapes us today. Guardian of Freedom …
The Sword at the Wedding - JSTOR
The man had a sword in his hand, and he went to the barnstokkr; he drew the sword and plunged it into the trunk, so that the sword went in up to the hilt. No one there ventured to offer this man …
UNITED STATES ARMY COMBATIVES COURSE History of …
sword. Very few of them believe they may need to defend themselves against sword wielding ninjas on the way to their car at the mall. They train because they enjoy it. For the same …
Transgender History - Trans Reads
Mar 17, 2019 · transgender history susan stryker Transgender History covers American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today. From the transsexual and …
Introduction to Weapons of the American Revolution
A sword was often a fashion accessory and a marker of status and prestige. A sword was a vital component of a military commander’s uniform. Swords were also used for ceremonial …
THE HISTORY AND SYMBOLISM OF - md-mrs.com
THE HISTORY AND SYMBOLISM OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR SWORD from the 11th to 20fh Centuries. by Norman Williams Crabbe . The sword was the prime weapon of the Medieval …
THE SWORD IN THE STONE - Mrs. Swann's English Class
were bent over the body of the dead beast and smacked with the flat side of a sword. This was called being bladed. It was horseplay, a sort of joke like being shaved when crossing the line. …
The Weapons of Kings: A New Perspective on Southern …
the importance of sword ownership for the royal houses of Wu and Yue, and describe a 1. The Yuejue shu is a compilation of essays on a wide variety of subjects, but which all concern the …
The United States Naval Academy, 1845–2020 - NHHC
With a long and rich history, the United States Naval Academy both reflects back to draw on decades of experience and projects forward to meet the new challenges of the 21st century. …
Damascus Steels - JSTOR
The best blades are be ... sword began with the casting of an ultrahigh-carbon steel, called wootz, in Indian foundries. Iron ore and charcoal were mixed and heated to about 1,200 degrees …
The Development of Arthurian Legends - Lycoming College
the sword in the stone and easily draws it. With Merlin as his advisor, Arthur reigns as king. He valiantly meets Britain's enemies in battle, and his conquests are made easier because of his …
Biography of a famous sword: Yoshimoto Samonji - Radu Leca
The sword is personified in the 2015 online game Touken Ranbu as a pink-haired youth in monk’s garb. The game imagines the thoughts and feelings of the sword as it is transformed from a …
A Tale of Wootz Steel - Indian Academy of Sciences
carbon content of 1.5-2.0% and the best of these were believed to have been made from Indian steel in Persia and Damascus according to Smith. In India till the 19th century swords and …
Aconcise history ofthe SouthAfricanDefence Force (1912 …
Aconcise history ofthe SouthAfricanDefence Force (1912-1987) MajorW.A.Dorning* INTRODUCTION ... equal to the occasion in the best tradition of its forerunners.-1-Scientia …
UNRIVALED TURKISH SWORD WITH A UNIQUE DESIGN: …
Abstract: “Yataghan”, a unique and unparalleled sword design with its inverse curved or concave shape blade could be traced through the history back to the kurgan culture of the Central …
BRITISH NAVAL CUTLASSES - Arms Register
The Board of Ordnance used the term “Sword for Sea Service” while later the Admiralty described them as “Sword Naval” The oldest manuscript reference in the British National Museum occurs …
Publius: The Federalist 78 New York, 28 May 1788 - Center …
csac.history.wisc.edu > Document Collections > Constitutional Debates: Federalist and ... And it is the best expedient which can be devised in any government, to secure a steady, upright and …
A HISTORY - Los Angeles Mission College
In short, I entered the study of American history through the back door. But I also got to know about it directly during the research for a number of books I wrote in these years: A History of …
The Historiography of European Linked Sword Dancing
The history of writing about sword dancing is a fascinating one, which reflects many different "fashions" in European intellectual history and in folklore research in particular (1). The …
PLOUGH, SWORD AND BOOK. The Structure of Human …
calls "philosophical history." It may be a genuinely great book, even though from my trans-Atlantic point-of-view serious flaws in its conceptual scheme make it appear outmoded at birth. As best …
A HISTORY OF STRUGGLE FOR PEACE OF THE …
• An excessive focus on the history of war in the Bangsamoro to the detriment of the peace process. • An absence of historical sites addressing the history of the struggle • No …
History of the U - cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org
The tactics were created when the best long arm was the flintlock smoothbore musket, with its 50-100 yard range, and the artillery was short-ranged and inaccurate at best. ... their first contract …
The Jacobite Rebellions
Press, Wharncliffe Local History, Wharncliffe Transport, Wharncliffe True Crime and White Owl. For a complete list of Pen & Sword titles please contact PEN & SWORD BOOKS LIMITED 47 …
CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA - Cristo Raul
As a student of history I have always been fascinated by the career of Chandragupta Maurya, one of the greatest of kings, conquerors and administrators the world has produced. ... have the …
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER CUTLASS - Navy Exchange
50 CHIEF PETTY OFFICER CUTLASS The word “cutlass” is derived from the term “curtal axe,” an ancient, heavy but short weapon. Years ago, the cutlass was used in ship-to-shop melees, …
Rick Joyner The Torch And The Sword Full PDF
Sword . This ebook, presented in a PDF format ( *), is a masterpiece that goes beyond conventional storytelling. Indulge your senses in prose, poetry, and knowledge. Download now …
Tampa Bay History - University of South Florida
Florida from Indian Trail to Space Age: A History (Delray Beach, Fla.: Southern, 1965), 2:290. Gregory Jason Bell is a Ph.D. candidate in U.S. history at the University of Cincinnati. A …
Bibliography of Baltimore County History
BIBLIOGRAPHY of LOCAL HISTORY For Baltimore County Studies This list of articles, maps, and books, etc., was originally prepared for an architectural history of this county, and we have …
7 Foot Sword And Mirror Found In Japan - wp1.dvp.context.org
This isn't just about a sword and a mirror; it's about the societal values, religious beliefs, and artistic evolution reflected in these ancient pieces. Let's delve into the mysteries they hold. …
The History of Cartography, Volume 3: Cartography in the …
et al., The History of the King’s Works,6 vols. (London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1963–82); LMP for R. A. Skelton and P. D. A. Har-vey, eds., Local Maps and Plans from …
The Sword of Laban as a Symbol of Divine Authority and …
the sword of Laban, first mentioned in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 4:9. In Jerusalem around 600 B.C., the powerful Laban was slain by the young Nephi with Laban's sword. Nephi then …
Plough, Sword, and Book: The Structure of Human History
Plough, sword, and book : the structure of human history / Ernest Gellner. p. cm. Originally published : London : Collins Harvill, 1988. Includes index. ISBN 0-226-28701-7 1. …
THE REPORTER - AF
HISTORY Sharpening the Sword of Justice By Major Keith R. Alich A Deadly Footnote to the UCMJ By Colonel Everett G. Hopson You Are Known By The Company You Keep By Colonel …
A HISTORY OF THE NCO - NCO Historical Society
A Short History of the NCO went through many printings and received wide dissemination throughout the NCO Corps. It can be found on the NCO Museum’s ... The NCO Sword …
U.S Air Force Fact Sheet 2023 GLOBAL STRIKE …
Ellis Giant Sword Trophy. This GIANT SWORD bomb loading legacy . trophy will be awarded for the best bomber maintenance. General . Ellis, former CINCSAC, donated his personal Order …
The ethics of technology innovation: a double-edged sword?
sword where both slowing down the advancement of intel-ligent technologies versus not slowing down will make that the benets of tech innovation are shared the least by those who need it …
Irish Medieval Swords c. 1170-1600 - JSTOR
is mistaken as this hilt form occurs well within the Viking period; a sword with a similar hilt, for instance, occurred in a grave at Sandeherred, Norway, dated to c. 950 a.d. (Oakeshott 1964, …
CVs and Cover Letters - Harvard University
Refer to samples for ideas, but craft your CV to best reflect you and your unique accomplishments. Unlike a resume, there is no page limit, but most graduate students’ CVs …
Chelmsford Historical Society Home Page
CHELMSFORD SWORD by John D. Hamilton Photographs by the author, courtesy of The Museum of Our National Heritage Christopher Roby (1814—1897), sword manufacturer and …
The Secret History of American Constitutional Skepticism: A …
then, and throughout our history, many of our most revered political figures have expressed doubts about the Constitution. Constitutional skepticism has been at the heart of some of our …
The Toltecs Brief History - Saylor Academy
Brief History The Toltec civilization emerged in northern Mesoamerica, in the present-day state of Hidalgo, between 800 CE and 1100 CE. They were the forbearers of the Aztecs. The Toltecs …
State of Wyoming Legislature
Cun Con of Fame . Created Date: 10/31/2019 1:01:45 PM
Reincarnated As A Sword Light Novel Vol 4 English …
additionally pay for variant types and furthermore type of the books to browse. The conventional book, fiction, history, novel, scientific research, as well as various other sorts of books are …
