Rating: 
Summary: An excellent introduction to a lost martial-art
Review: Renaissance Swordsmanship by John Clements presents, possibly for the first time in modern English, the study of Western swordsmanship as a martial-art. This distinction is critical. The book attempts to provide a base to the reader on how cut-and-thrust swordsmanship, along with rapiers, can be used in a systematic approach to fighting. Through the use of detailed historical research and superb illustrations on the part of the author, the book succeeds in this attempt. The reader is provided with the history, techniques, and stances necessary to begin serious study of Renaissance cut-and-thrust swords and rapiers as martial weapons. No book can provide a complete explanation of or entirely teach a martial-art. Renaissance Swordsmanship provides, however, what many related books in this field have failed to do. It authentically and realistically describes how historical swords were used in the past and how they may still be used in a martial-arts system. Readers! who are serious in their attempts to study Western swordsmanship, or anyone who simply would like to know how Central and West Europeans defended themselves from 1500 to 1700, both in the battlefield and on the city streets, will find this book an invaluable resource. Mr. Clements shows those who will take the time to read this book a fascinating glimpse into a true lost world, the world of real Western martial-arts. Thanks to the efforts of the author and others like him, this world is slowly being rediscovered.
Rating:
Summary: A welcome study of our Western martial arts heritage
Review: Renaissance swordsmanship is a welcome study of the effective fighting arts of Western Europe. For too long the world has laboured under the view that all good fighting arts originated in Asia. Clements dispels the image created by the film and television industry of yesteryear that Erupeans went into battle devoid of skills and technique. He takes an informed look at various weapons used by our European ancestors and goes on, with the aid of superb illustrations, to explain and demonstrate their usage. This book will be of great interest to those with an interest in authentic Western martial arts, be they historical fencer or re-enactor. Well written, well worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: nebulous text with little research
Review: Since I first posted this review, a translation of Capo Ferro's early 17th century manual of the rapier has become available. If you're interested in authentic techniques, instead of just a crude facsimile (at best), skip Clement's work and buy the Capo Ferro translation.
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I feel a certain nostalgia for this book, as it did get me interested in Western Martial Arts, that being the case, I simply cannot recommend this book as any sort of serious study guide for Rapiers or Cut-and-Thrust swords. The chapter on the rapier, in particular, shows a complete lack of knowledge of the fundamentals of the Italian rapier as a weapon taught by the Italian masters of the likes of Salvator Fabris, Ridolfo Capo Ferro, etc. While the drawings and some of the general information is interesting for a beginner, it won't help the reader learn much of the true theory or techniques that were actually used by a competent rapier fencer. I do not remember, for example, seeing any discussing of the theory or technique of "stringering" or "finding the sword" (an important, fundamental concept for Italian rapier), much less the Italian concept of tempo as pertaining to fencing. Unfortunately, the selection of books available on this topic are few an far-between, especially in English--but for the serious English-speaking Practitioner, I would suggest that you skip this book and get copies of either George Silver's "Paradoxes of Defence" (for Cut & Thrust) or Joseph Swetnam's manual (for rapier), as both of these are original texts in English that are available in electronic format for free online (do a Google search). For those of you who can read Italian, do a search for the masters I listed above (their texts are available for free in .pdf format online). This book really only sits on my shelf taking up space and collecting dust.
Rating:
Summary: Sword fencing for martial artsist not game players
Review: The martial content of this book is so tremendous and its information so broad. Martial artist will find it refreshing and valuable. The only ones not going to like what they read are epee and foil fencers who like to imagine they're Errol Flynn and people who think historical swordplay is about dressing up in a costume and drinking ale.
Rating: 
Summary: Only for those who want to fight, not fence, with a rapier
Review: The only problems with this book is the sad lack of a good editor and it's relative lack of text. It is an excellent introduction to realistic rapier combat, fettered only by the rules of anatomy, physiology, and physics rather than the artificial constructs of sports-based fencing. Taking his cue primarily from period fencing manuals written by people who studied the sword for self-defence and combat rather than medals and trophies he takes you through the basic techniques of combative rapier combat. It is worthy of note that most of his detractors are experienced sports fencers whose techniques are long since stripped of their martial value for the ability to score points, often using techniques that would have gotten one killed 300 years ago. Sadly, both sides are often convinced that they are on the true path and that no accomodation is possible. In this instance Mr. Clements is far more on the side of the truth than his detractors.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the serious student of fencing.
Review: The reality challenged will love this book. But, in truth, John Clement's self-important volume is not for anyone serious about reality. It is primarily for self-taught "swordsmen," those individuals who like to dress up in historical costumes and pretend they really know something about fighting with swords. Mr. Clements comes across with a certain arrogance, as someone who believes he has a monopoly on genuine sword fighting skills and knowledge. Be wary of those who pat themselves on the back. As a fencing master of some years, I do not recommend Mr. Clement's book except as a novelty.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Insightful
Review: The useful book is not about a sport, it is not about performing stage combat, it is about historical Western martial arts. It approaches its subject as a legitimate martial art and not a mere sport or game. It challenges many of the cherished myths and misconceptions so often promoted by leading sport fencing and classical fencing instructors. It focuses on real weapons as they were historically used by real sources. It lays out for once the considerable difference between a sporting-mindset and a martial spirit. As a result of this it marginalizes disgruntled, resentful "professional sport fencing instructors " who believe they hold some monopoly over western martial culture and represent its authority. Western swordsmanship has for more than a century, regardless of nationality, been approached as one monolithic, authoritative clique presumably seeming to represent all there is on the subject. It is no surprise then that some sport fencing readers may fe! el defensive when confronted with different approaches and alternative styles based on the much more martial methods of the past. Too many believe the long unchallenged myths about renaissance swordplay perpetuate in movies and television. This book will change that. It has received positive reviews from the historical-recreation community, martial arts community, leading scholars of sword history, several knife and history magazines, and from readers in Belgium, England, Germany, Brazil, Czech Republic, and Australia.
Rating: 
Summary: A Resource for Today's Swordsmen
Review: This book dispels the many myths and misconceptions about swords and swordsmanship that swashbuckler films like The Three Musketeers have generated. This scholarly, entertaining guide is the most thorough work on historical European swordsmanship ever undertaken. It serves as both a general reference and an instructional guide for advanced and beginning sword enthusiasts, students of military history and martial artists. But this is a user's guide as well. To write this book the author combined exhaustive research with hands on practice in fencing, contact weapon sparring and training with historically accurate replicas. He then illustrated the text with more than 100 pages of drawings depicting authentic Renaissance sword fighting techniques and how you can use them today.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction
Review: This book is a must for anyone just starting to investigate the Renaissance Europe history of the sword. While it isn't a training manual it provides a solid foundation for future research and experimentation.
Rating:
Summary: A book that defies common thought!
Review: This book is for anyone who is not afraid to question his or her own beliefs in the often hotly debated arena of swordsmanship. From hours and hours of practice and research Clements is able to separate historical fact from fiction. This book though small in size is able to demonstrate the basics of a simple killing cut to advanced tactics with sword and dagger. Attacks to the leg, face and, body are shown that would make anyone cringe in pain. Few other people can offer this insight with such absolute credibility. Historical drawings and an incredible list of references round out his writings to show that his work is based exclusively in fact. This book introduces the work of Masters who have dedicated their lives to the study of fence and killed with this knowledge.
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