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The Inner Game of Fencing: Excellence in Form, Technique, Strategy and Spirit.

The Inner Game of Fencing: Excellence in Form, Technique, Strategy and Spirit.

List Price: $16.95
Your Price: $11.53
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Reach deeper and come out on top with this book
Review: I read The Inner Game of Fencing before I read my other favorite, the Art and Science of Fencing, and I'm glad I did. This book was instrumental in instilling the confidence I needed to act on my curiosity of the sport of fencing. Nick Evangelista believes that fencing belongs to everyone, not only the athletes pursuing Olympic notoriety. He makes it clear that you have just as much a right to be at the salle learning to be a recreational fencer, as does the dedicated sport fencer.
This book unmasks the mysteries of the fencing world by using wisdom and reasoning. You'll find more than just a "how to" list." Strategies are shown to be a mindset rather than any complex technique. Even a beginner has a fighting chance of winning when the mind and hand and feet work together. Most fencing books only address the latter two. The Inner Game will give you the edge you need to make your fencing goals materialize.
The format of the book is such that the busy person can open up to any page and read as little or as much as time allows and walk away with encouragement and prowess. Not only is Nick's wisdom imparted in this book, he includes quotes from past fencing masters that would have been lost had this book not brought their truth and substance forth to the new generations of fencers.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Too much of a polemic at times
Review: I'm a sport fencer, and I admire Mr. Evangelista's devotion to classical fencing. I enjoyed The Art and Science of Fencing and was amused and intrigued by Fighting with Sticks.

However, I find that his expression of contempt for the modern sport smacks of sour grapes and distracts the reader from some of the other very useful content.

To me, it seems that the only purpose of Mr. Evangelista's sweeping dismissal of modern fencing is to advance his theory that they are no longer related in any way (a thory to which many do not subscribe).

He should have saved his vitriol for another book and just focussed on the fine insights he gives into the art and psychology of fencing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Spirit of Fencing
Review: If you want to find out what the spirit of fencing is, if you want to find out the diffence between the art and science of fencing and the modern sport, if you want to read something that is uplifting and inspiring, read "The Inner Game of Fencing." If you don't already fence, it'll make you want to. The story of Maestro Evangelista's "duel" with the professional world champion fencer at the very end of the book is worth the price of the book by itself. This is a classic volume. Hopefully, it will be around for centuries.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The
Review: It's always a pleasure to speak well of a colleague's work, so I am pleased to be able to recommend Maitre Evangelista's new book. It has many valuable insights drawn from his long experience. But it isn't for everyone. Those mesmerized by the bells and whistles of hyper-stylized competitive fencing gamesmanship, who have no connection to or interest in fencing's history, tradition's or core concepts, may not find it interesting or enjoyable. But if you have even a tinge of the romantic in your soul, or even if you just believe that fencing should, on at least some level, resemble a fight with swords, then I believe you will be happy to have this one in your library.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The art vs. the sport of fencing
Review: Mr. Evangelista makes a persuasive argument that with the new electric style of fencing something has been lost in the translation.

He doesn't argue for turning back the clock, but he does argue for rethinking some of the new conventions that have been embraced with the new technology.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fencing is LIFE...Rember that!
Review: Mr.Evangelista never lets you forget it. In much the same way his earlier book re-guided me back to fencing. This book guided me back to what I was looking for from this sport...mental control.

This is the most unique sport in the world in which two people are squared of with some of the most potentially fatal weapons ever. The mental focus that Mr.Evangelist reiterates throughout the book is not only mandatory, its necessary.

Loved both books and would recommend them for every beginning fencer out there, like myself, and some of the more experienced fencers that lost their way.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Review---This book needs work
Review: Ok, I am a new fencer, and a novice being critical of someone as famous as Nick Evangelista may seem a bit out of line at this stage of my career. However, I did buy the book and did read the book, and I suppose in this great American republic, that qualifies me to review his work.

I found Mr. Evangelista's book to be a series of essays regarding his philosophy of fencing. The essays, are for the most part ungrouped by theme or topic, and tend to take on a tone that could only be described as a bitter rant.

I don't know what school of fencing offended Mr. Evangelista, but he is sure sore at someone, and it does not help the book at all. He constantly rails against those who are 'brutal, fast, etc. etc,' with little fencing grace or skill.

Other comments: Mr. Evangelista writes well in a tactical sense, he is however prone to repeating himself, and his stories. These vignettes offer little to the beginner, and the title of the book never delivers the promise.

Advice: If you are a beginner, pass on this one, perhaps, as I gain experience it will take on more meaning, but as I read it, the book was a rant against some unknown group of bad guys.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The High Road to Fencing Excellence
Review: Pearls of wisdom from one of America's greatest fencing minds. Drawn from Maestro Evangelista's many years of experience, both as a competitive fencer and as a Fencing Master. Each insightful thought the Maestro presents leads the reader further and further along the mental pathway toward fencing excellence. Highly recommended for every fencer, both sport and classical, who has what it takes to walk the high road in pursuit of fencing excellence.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I'm a reader, not a fencer.
Review: Since I have never set foot in a salle, have never even seen the divisive pistol-grip, I cannot express an informed opinion on that topic, nor on the flick, nor on sport fencing versus classical fencing. But I can say that I found this book to be highly motivational (made a couch potato like me want to jump up and grab a foil right now -- fortunately for some poor maitre since I lack all depth perception, I restrained myself), and a strong proponent of some notions I'm pretty fond of: Self-discipline; initiative; perserverance; doing things the right way, not the easy way; facing your fears; standing up for what you believe in, even when -- ESPECIALLY when what you believe in is unpopular or 'old-fashioned' or 'unrealistic.' It's about substance and style, means and ends, and at its most basic, it's about the moral choices we face every day. I'm a financial analyst, not a fencer, and I got a lot more out of this book than a whole week in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People seminar.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Another of Evangelista's super works!
Review: The Art and Science of Fencing should be the first step for people interested in the topic, beginner, fencers and writers wanting a good feel for the subject. However, Evangelista builds on that solid foundation of the first book, by moving into the practical mentality needed to do well in the sport. This book is dedicated to excellence in form, technique, mindset and the fencer's élan. Evangelista gives such a rich in-depth look at the sport, how to succeed, how to adjusting your mind to winning.

This a must for fencers looking to win and improve in all aspects of the sport.


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