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The Inner Game of Fencing: Excellence in Form, Technique, Strategy and Spirit. By Nick Evangelista ( McGraw-Hill )
Release Date: 2000-01-11
Average Customer Rating:
List Price: $16.95
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A controversial book it seems
An all round excellent book I found. I don't think it's old fashioned to belive martial arts are about personal growth and improvment more than beating the other guy, but some of the criticisms are valid. I enjoyed being trained, for a long time quite unknowingly, as a classical fencer. Therefore I thoroughly enjoyed this book and agree with the author ideas. But his constant attacks on sport fencing are tiring after a while and they are the only reason I didn't rate this book five stars. I always thought of fencing as a martial art more than a sport, but I accept that this is not the case for everyone. It's personal choice. Arguing in favour of classical fencing is one thing, but to simply repeatedly dismiss sport fencers as shallow idiots is unfair and boring. Not everyone wants to dedicate their life to fencing, some just want to swing a sword around and others just want to win competitions. Leave them alone to have their fun and count their medals Nicky, we'll get on with the real fencing quite fine without them!
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This is Fencing
First of all, I find it important that the person writting
this book really knows fencing, because all his advises and
tips are from someone who has done fencing to a high level
(better for us)and is also a coach. What more do you want.
Excellent tips, excellent book
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 Not What the Title Says It Is ( morgantanner )
I've been sport fencing for over 25 years and picked up this book as a refresher on strategy. The title and introduction led me to believe that was the type of book that I would read. I was disappointed to find that nearly the entire book is a diatribe against sport fencing in favor of the classical fencing movement. Chapter after chapter stated in one way or another the basic idea of the book: "Modern sport fencing is garbage. Classical fencing is 'real' fencing."
I might have overlooked the author's diatribe, except that he really didn't have much else to say on the subject unless it was couched in his absolute refusal to acknowledge the validity of modern sport fencing.
I gave this book two stars because, within the incessant voice of the author's main point, he managed to slip in some words of advice that have slightly improved my performance on the fencing strip. This advice, however, was only useful since I could connect years of fencing experience with some of the hidden gems within the book.
If you are a die hard classical fencer, read the book as vindication of your choice of fencing. Sport fencers need not bother.
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 "REAL fencers"??! Oh dear. ( peter_russell )
Nick Evangelista has produced a book that is quite removed from most aspects of modern fencing. He has very strong views concerning how fencing 'should' be and seems rather irritated that they're not. As a result his work seems to at every opportunity take the form of a personal rant against modern styles of fencing. In fact 'The Inner Game' seems so full of personal vendettas and anecdotes to support them, that it's a wonder actual fencing tactics get a mention at all!
I suggest this book is unsuitable for those practicing the modern sport of fencing and would suggest works by authors such as Prof. John 'Jes' Smith as a preferable source.
It does concern me that those new to the sport could become extremely disillusioned by this work.
That being said he does make some useful comments concerning general approaches to training, placing a lot of emphasis on self discipline and correct practice.
In addition, all this talk of 'Real fencers' is at best a demonstration of the writer's ignorance. Nick may be a good teacher of classical fencing, however i believe 'The Inner Game' is poorly written and would not even recommend it to those who do wish to practice the classical style.
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 A Guide to REAL fencing
Another AWESOME book by famous fencing artist Nick Evangelista. This is a book made for REAL fencers and not the olympic woosy type. The book also explains grips, moves, etc. A MUST READ for any begginer or REAL fencer.
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Addiction
