"Swords and Swordsmen" Author Mike Loades on Bay Sunday with Sydnie Kohara

Mike Loades discusses his book Swords and Swordsmen.

Swords and Swordsmen
Mike Loades

6.75 x 9.75, 494 pages, 220 photos, approx 100 line drawings 4 back 1, 9781848841338, $70.00, hardback, Pen and Sword
March 4, 2011

This magnificent book tells the story of the evolution of swords, how they were made, how they were used, and the people that used them. It doesn't claim to give comprehensive coverage but instead takes certain surviving examples as landmarks on a fascinating journey through the history of swords. Each is selected because it can be linked to a specific individual, thus telling their story too and giving a human interest. So the journey starts with the sword of Tutankhamun and ends with the swords of J E B Stuart and George Custer. Along the way we take in Henry V, Cromwell and Uesugi Kenshin, and there is the most detailed discussion you'll find anywhere of all of George Washington's swords. The chapters on these specific swords and swordsmen are alternated with more general chapters on the changing technical developments and fashions in swords and their use.

The reader's guide on this historical tour is Mike Loades. Mike has been handling swords most of his life, as a fight arranger, stuntman and historical weapons expert for TV and stage. He considers the sword as a functional weapon, work of art, fashion statement and cultural icon. As much as his profound knowledge of the subject, it is his lifelong passion for swords that comes through on every page. His fascinating text is supported by a lavish wealth of images, many previously unpublished and taken specifically for this book.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Mike Loades
• author Swords and Swordsmen

[RabidSpatulaPaul]

Mike Loades is truly an amazing representative for those of us who appreciate and train with historical blades. Would love to shake his hand, or better yet train with him!

[engliscwarrior]

Mike Loades is brilliant. he should do more documentaries

[AdmiralLolTrain]

Thats more like it mike loades!

[6arcsn1sky]

I have an utmost respect for Mike Loades great knowledge on European and Western martial arts.

[deathbyazure]

I'm a sword hobbyist and I think Mike Loades is possibly the best spokesman for the study of the European sword because he is just this enthusiastic about it all the time, and this book of his is a labor of love. I cannot say enough good things about how well and vividly it brings every weapon, era, and person to life. Go out and buy "Swords and Swordsmen", it's a great book!

[waywardsage]

Mike Loades is the man!  It's awesome to see someone promoting the physicality of historical weaponology.