The Best Books for Learning Fencing

Fencing was founded in the 18th century and has roots in Italian and French culture. Since then, it has remained as one of the most significant martial arts that involves swords. Unlike other sword martial arts, Fencing is unique due to using a lighter sword that is not a dagger.

One of the biggest negatives around Fencing is that there aren’t many schools to learn from, because of this – some students turn to books to learn Fencing from. In other words, books can really enhance your game when it comes to Fencing.

Here, we’ve picked Fencing books on the following criteria:

• Price (affordability)
• Detail
• Educational illustrations
• Explainations

The Art and Science of Fencing by Nick Evangelista

Released in the late 90s, this book has stood the test of time and is incredibly detailed. At nearly 300 pages in length, it shows the art of fencing from a scientific perspective. This is well written and is especially useful for beginners.

Put another way, this is mostly focused on the basics. There’s nothing wrong with this though as many Fencing practitioners often get carried away and try to run before they can walk. Read this book and you will learn the foundations of Fencing.

The Art of Foil Fencing by Roy Stocks

This book is based on Olympic Fencing so if you’d like to know the rules for the Olympics then this book is a solid starting point. Here, the author Roy Stocks writes from his own experiences as both a Fencing competitor and a coach.

The point is to teach readers the finer technical details of Fencing. Overall, technical mastery is the role of martial arts and this book delivers in that regard.

Fencing: Steps to Success by Elaine Cheris

Perhaps where this book is at its strongest is when it talks about the footwork required for Fencing. If you’ve trained Fencing then you’ll be well aware that it relies heavily on footwork. Without technical feet, your Fencing will fall apart.

This is where author Elaine Cheris gets it right. Of course, the book also focuses on other areas and is a great technical read if you’re looking to improve your game.

By the Sword by Richard Cohen

Unlike most of the other books on this list, By the Sword isn’t about learning or improving technique. Instead, it’s based on the history of swords and their relationship with history. Here, it examines how the likes of William Shakespeare, Karl Marx, and many others practiced Fencing.

For those interested in the cultural side of swords, this is a fascinating read and you can tell it’s been really well researched. So, you may not exactly learn the art of Fencing from this book, but you’ll certainly learn a thing or two.

A Basic Fencing Companion by Paul Sise

This book is perfect for those looking to improve their Fencing. Here, Sise writes as a competitor and coach and doesn’t just mention techniques and moves. Instead, he delves deeper – also looking at the psychological aspects of winning matches and performing to the best of your ability.

Therefore, you could claim that this book is ideal for advanced practitioners. Generally, most books on this list are aimed at beginners, whilst this book goes beyond that and really gets into the head of what it’s like to compete.

Learning Fencing by Berndt Barth

The first thing to note about this book is that it’s designed for kids. With this in mind, it’s written in a very easy way to understand – even if you’re a child. It also includes pictures and other bits and bobs to help kids familiarize themselves with Fencing.

Due to its basic nature, it could also be read by adults who are new to Fencing as well. Overall, it’s not the most comprehensive book ever and should be avoided by veterans. However, if you want your kid to learn Fencing or if you’re a parent trying to get a better understanding of it, then this book is ideal.

Fencing by Brian Pitman

This is yet another older Fencing book that still holds up to this day. Here, Pitman focuses on the fundamentals and sticks to the basics. So, you won’t find anything too flashy or flamboyant here. This focuses on the sabre, foil, and epee.

It’s also accompanied by various pictures that show the techniques which is great if you’re a visual learner. Furthermore, these will help people pick up learning quickly and it makes moves easier to understand.

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Fencing by Rob Price

If you’re looking at becoming a better athlete when it comes to Fencing, then this is probably the best book on the market. Here, readers will find exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and their core. This includes over 100 exercises on these areas, so there’s something for everyone.

If ever you’ve trained Fencing then you’ll know that it can be physically tiresome at times. Whilst it will always be a technical sport and martial art, it’s also no secret that increasing your stamina, dexterity, and flexibility will all aid you in becoming a better competitor. This is where Rob Price’s book works its magic.

Modern Fencing by Clovis Deladrier

Originally, this book was released in 1948 and has since been remade. What’s unique about this book is that it’s based on three separate swords; the sabre, foil, and epee. So, if you’d like to learn about other swords then this is a great book to learn about all sorts of variations in general.

It also comes with 80 digitally restored photos from the original 40s copy. As the saying goes, the oldies are the best. Ironically, this book is called modern Fencing, but in fairness, it’s still as relevant today as it has ever been.

How To Fence by Christine Tanner

For those wondering, this is a very beginner friendly book. In fact, it’s probably not suited for more experienced practitioners. However, if you’re new then it’s a great book. One unique part of this book is that it even teaches you how to make your own sword.

So, if you’re not convinced about buying a sword or committing to Fencing then this book is a good starting point. It also breaks down commonly used terminology and techniques which is ideal if you’re trying to get your head around Fencing.