Knives, swords, and bayonets are the world’s longest serving arms and some of
the most important in history. Originally a simple stone tool, once metals such
as iron and bronze became regularly worked, edged weapons appear in the
archaeological record. In "A History of Edged Weapon Warfare", Martina Sprague
discusses in detail the long history of these arms, from primitively produced
knives and machetes to the exquisite metalwork of Japanese swords.
Throughout the author discusses how these weapons were wielded and their
strengths and weaknesses. The book covers all regions of the world and all time
periods, from the swords of ancient Egypt and medieval Islamic states to
the knives of Africa and today’s special forces. The author demonstrates that
the ability to instill fear in an opponent is one of the more important features
of edged weapons in all cultures and historical eras. The physical design
and production of the weapon and the training in its use are important as well
and vary from country and period. In the hands of skilled warriors, whether
twentieth-century Ghurkas or second-century B.C. Roman legionnaires, knives and
swords have often proved decisive in close combat.
