Swords: a visual history

by Chris McNab

This is the ultimate record of swords through the ages. From knives and daggers to bayonets and axes, it is a cutting-edge guide to over 300 of the most important edged weapons from the last 5,000 years. Discover revealing features on twenty 'iconic' swords from the short gladius of the Roman Legionary to the North American Bowie knife. You'll learn all about legendary warriors and witness the cut-and-thrust of deadly sword duels. Find out about how weapons were made and where, plus admire ceremonial weapons, made for display, not war. Meet famous warriors through history and the weapons they used, from the finely crafted swords of the Japanese samurai to the brutal bayonet of the World War I infantryman. It's the essential visual history of swords.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

360 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Dr Chris McNab has written over a hundred books in a career spanning over two decades. He is a historian with a specialisation in military history.

Reviews

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as comprehensive as advertised, and way too focusing on Britain and US, with an obvious neglect of France and the military developments there. And personally, I cannot forgive the absence of important weapons of the ancient world like the falcata and especially the spatha, the latter of those two was very important in sword development.

[Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful guide to the important melee weapons from the earlier stone tools to the modern combat knifes. Each weapon was explained with a photograph of the exact weapon, summary of the weapon's usage, origin and specifications.

[Anirudh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing!