The Sentiment of the Sword

"The Sentiment of the Sword" is a historical book on the art of sword fighting by the British explorer, writer and soldier Sir Francis Burton. He describes the history of the blade from its use by ancient civilizations to more recent times, of which he states that, "Our great-grandfathers wore swords by their sides, and all gentlemen learned to use them." Burton draws on his experiences as a soldier and his travels to many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Americas.