Started: Sept. 8
Finished: Oct. 2
Notes: In recent years I have tried to read at least one swording book per year, whether it be a book on dueling, metallurgy, history, etc. This particular book was published in 1884, and I'm sure there's been plenty of historical research since then, but I sometimes like to look back and see what earlier generations thought concerning history. This one apparently covers a period from the earliest of times up to slightly past the Roman era. Originally this was to be the first of three books on the history of swords, but the author did not live long enough to finish the other two books.
Mini review: There is much here that today we know to be incorrect, but this was still an interested read. For one thing, this book showed just how much 19th Century intellectuals actually did know, which is more than many today would give them credit. Also, I found it funny the British author's prejudices, though I don't necessarily mean racism (there were a few hints of this, but not much); mainly, this author was stuck on all things Egyptian, believing these ancient peoples were practically responsible for everything civilized during the last several thousand years, that the ancient Egyptians had or created everything first from civilization itself to philosophy to weapons and more.
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