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Over 766 colour photographs
Over 73 illustrations
Over 396

• A comprehensive illustrated guide to more than 500 edged weapons from around the world, focusing on eras of historical and military significance such as the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War



• Detailed history of the development of swords, sabres, spears and lances from their origins in the stone age through to World War II



• Includes a comprehensive directory of weapons arranged by time period and geographical area, along with specifications of date, origin and length



• Descriptions of the fighting techniques of some of the most skillful warriors of history, including the Hoplite spearmen of Ancient Greece, Roman Gladiators and the Japanese Samurai warrior class



• Written by a leading antique sword expert and lavishly illustrated with over 600 colour photographs and illustrations



• Perfect for the professional collector and keen enthusiast alike, and a superb sourcebook and reference work for military historians, curators, academics and experts on edged weaponry of all periods

Since the first flint spearheads emerged at the dawn of humanity around 600,000 years ago, edged weapons have played an incredible role in the shaping of human history. As well as being deadly weapons of war, swords, sabres, spears and lances have been used the world over to hunt for survival and to battle for honour. Elaborately decorated and imbued with countless myths, it is little wonder that these weapons, often works of art as much as tools of war, have been some of history's most powerful status symbols.

This beautifully presented book traces the fascinating history of swords, sabres, spears and lances through to the 20th century. From Paleolithic origins and the appearance of the first swords in Bronze Age Mesopotamia, it describes how the development of edged weapons and military tactics brutally shaped the great civilizations of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, as well as looking at the significance of the sword in the artistic and mystical traditions of the Celts. It moves on to the medieval period, the apogee of the sword as a battle weapon, and delves into the world of the medieval knights and Crusaders, as well as the Middle Eastern armies they fought. From there this broad-ranging book examines the variety of edged weapons from around the world, from the Samurai sword to the Sudanese Kaskara. It looks at the technical and military accomplishments leading up to the twentieth century and the demise of the sword as a military weapon.

At the heart of the book is a comprehensive and fully illustrated weapons directory, featuring more than 500 examples of edged weapons from around the world. From the swords and spears of Ancient Egypt to the pike and thrusting polearms of Medieval Europe and from the cavalry sabres of the 17th century to the swords of the Russian empire each entry is accompanied with a fabulous photograph of the weapon plus key information on date, origin and length.

This book will be an indispensable resource for the for the keen enthusiast and professional collector alike, while the 600 beautiful photographs and illustrations of these extraordinary pieces of craftsmanship will fascinate anyone with an interest in the conflicts, weapons and warriors that have created our historical landscape.

About the Authors

Harvey Withers - Author

Harvey J S Withers has held a lifelong passion for sharp-edged weapons and for many years has been a successful dealer in antique military swords. He is the author of British Military swords 1786 to 1912: The Regulation Patters (Studio Jupiter Military Publishing) and World Swords 1400 to 1945 (Studio Jupiter Military Publishing).