The sport has evolved: today fencing matches are much more aggressive than an actual duel (with lethal swords) would have been.īut I do not see this as a problem really. Modern fencers have perfected some rather spectacular moves that would be simply impossible with a more traditional grip. Modern fencing has wholeheartedly embraced the new style of fencing that Evengelista has attacked. This second reason illustrates the major problem with Evangelista: he's essentially a killjoy. Personally, I prefer the anatomical grip for essentially two reasons: 1) it transfers strength and power more readily to the sword and 2) it's just more fun! He is also correct in pointing out that the newer grips create a fencing style that little resembles real duels fought in Renaissance Italy or England in the 1700s. Most of his criticism focuses on the "anatomical grip." Evangelista advocates a traditional straight "French grip." He is correct in his assessment that the French grip leads to much lighter and straightforward fencing than the more muscular and aggressive anatomical grip. But mostly Evangelista is dismissed by the competitive fencing community as a "tradition-bound old fogey." He routinely attacks the modern style of fencing and yearns for a return to the "good old days."
Part of this is due, no doubt to Evangelista's rather high opinion of himself which seems to pervade the book. Most of today's top competitors routinely roll their eyes at Evangelista. That said, Evangelista is not exactly popular in the serious competative fencing circuit. Most fencing manuals in existence have pretty awful illustrations. But here, Evangelista shoots about par for the course. The diagrams of different fencing parries and movements are crude and not necessarily helpful. Evangelista does a good job of explaining to the uninitiated why fencing has the rules it does and how the modern sport links to the actual dueling of the Renaissance period on. The historical stuff is brief, readable and informative. The graphic layout is pretty good as are the photos. Evangelista's Art and Science of Fencing is one of the better books out there for those who want a servicable introduction to sport fencing. Sometimes a book is noteworthy simply by virtue of lack of competition regarding the subject matter.
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