Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely great
Review: A glimpse into a forgotten world where men fenced to prove thier worth and women fenced to lose weight. Quite apart from that, this is an incredibly useful book. The complete beginner (at whom "On Fencing" appears to have been aimed) will probably find it a bit overwhelming on account of the minute detail that Nadi goes into, but for the rest of us this is a brilliant guide to polishing our technique as well as a goldmine of practical ideas. The underlying phylosophy is as pragmatic as any competitive fencer could wish for. To be fair, I would say that Aldo Nadi had one serious shortcoming and that was his failure to recognise that not everyone is Aldo Nadi. What worked for Aldo Nadi in 1928 may not work for Mr Smith in 2001, but, all the same, Mr Smith would do well to see if it does.
Rating:
Summary: I love this book.
Review: Aldo Nadi is a fencing god. He should and will be remembered as one of the greatest fencers to have lived. This book is his testament and his autobiography, his passion and his skill.
I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: A valuable addition to any fencing library!
Review: Aldo Nadi is one of the acknowledged greats of fencing. His theories on the art of fencing were tested against the most renowned fencers of his day. His exploits were celebrated throughout Europe during the 1920s and 30s, when professional fencing contests were as popular as tennis is today. To not read "On Fencing" is to miss learning from a true master
Rating:
Summary: An Essential Fencing Student Primer!
Review: Aldo Nadi was an undefeated World Professional Fencing Champion. Know that many fencing instructors consider Nadi to be the consumate Master of sport.
Aldo Nadi places his many decades of fencing instruction into text form for all of us to use and enjoy. He provides the reader with his "secrets" gleaned through his fencing education, techniques, and learned and natural talents.
In this book, Nadi states that "teaching fencing is much more difficult than might be generally supposed." He then launches into a treatise of the history of the sword, the importance of footwork, the lunge, proper attack techniques, parry-ripostes, counterattacks, and much more.
I feel that this book is a model of fencing instruction, that is devoted to the sport, nay art, of fencing. Nadi's insights into the "psychology of combat" are revealing of the authority to which he speaks through his instructions.
The reader will find this text very easy to understand and incorporate into their personal fencing regimen. For novice or advanced fencers, this book is a must read! What else needs to be said. This is a great instructional/tutorial text. Superb! Five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Fencing Book
Review: Aldo Nadi was one of the greatest fencers, and his logic is still the greatest, even today. This is book is about great fencing, not the poke and hack technique (could you even call it that?) that is adopted today. If more people were to read this book, the fencing world as we know it would improve greatly. This book is about what makes the sport great-- Finesse over firepower, courtesy over barbarism, and honor over winning at all costs. Definite recommended reading for those who are already fencing, although non-fencers might find it perplexing. He does outline exactly how to come into the guard postion, how to grip the sword (assuming no pistol grip is implemented), however. Recommended reading for all people who aspire to be truly great at fencing.
Rating: 
Summary: Secrets of the World's Greatest Fencer
Review: Aldo Nadi was undefeated World Professional Fencing Champion and winner of 3 Olympic gold medals. Let Aldo Nadi Show You the True Art of Fencing. *** "On Fencing is brilliant, profound, and above all very helpful." --Leo Nunes, 16-time U.S. National Fencing Champion. *** "A model of fencing instruction, his book is also an entertaining swordsman's-eye-view of mankind. 'The fencing strip,' observes Mr. Nadi sternly, 'is the mirror of the soul.'" --Time Magazin
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book. Absolutely revives the tradition of our sport.
Review: Also Nadi is almost as great a narrator as he is a fencer. The instruction will prove to be a bit wordy for the novice, but this book is an amazing tribute to the sport he lived. The chilling account of his first duel is worth the price of this book tenfold. Additionally, there are only a few pictures, but to see them is to see the absolute purest form the human body can attain. Aldo Nadi was the greatest.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Excellent book. My experience in the martial arts is not in fencing. Nonetheless, Nadi's book offers enough insight and analysis on the proper training approach and mindset for the weaponless self-defense practitioner, non-fencers, to appreciate.
The chapters 'Intro', 'Pre-Combat Exercises' 'Combat Exercises' and 'Competition' are among the best I've read offering advice on each of the topics.This book is a valuable addition to my library. Antonio Bustillo
Rating:
Summary: One word . . . . AWESOME!
Review: I am a fairly new fencer, and I found this book both stimulating and full of great ideas. Learning the history before getting involved in fencing is invaluable, and the chapter that deals with the actual "duel" that Nardi was involved in makes the book worth it. The only thing that bothered me somewhat is that Nadi was a bit of a chauvinist. He seems to put women into another category (probably due to the time period). One passage reads "no girl could effectively use this weapon", as he explains the french foil which is the weapon of choice for most fencers. My instructor is a woman with numerous medals, and has beaten her share of men! Otherwise an excellent book full of valuable information.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable
Review: I fenced for 8 years before I read this book and ONLY THEN did I truly understand how to lunge. Aldo Nadi's technique and approach to fencing is incredible and timelessly effective. No fencer can afford not to read this book.
Aldo teaches the italian system, emphasizing the italian foil for bladework. However, his techniques are easily adapted to the modern orthopedic grips and will catapult you far beyond those who haven't read this book.
There are rarer and more lenghty texts, but Nadi's book is the standard by whch all others are measured against. again, no fencer should be without this book.
|
