Swords: An Artist's Devotion Book

Be smitten by the sword! An extraordinary young artist brings the history of this noble weapon — and its skillful masters — into stunningly sharp relief.

Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old, and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place — from ancient warriors such as Beowulf to medieval knights; from stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war. Illustrated with breathtaking intricacy, SWORDS reflects the passion of a true devotee, offering lavish background details on design and use as well as exquisite spreads showcasing specimens in all their shining glory.

Children's Literature

It might be difficult to think of swords as beautiful but, as presented in this gorgeous picture book, they are. Offered in 14 chapters that focus on the kind of warrior who would use the different types of swords, each chapter provides a short definition of who each type of warrior was and where each would have lived. For example, in chapter 3, we learn about the "War Maidens," specifically Queen Boudicca of Britain who faced down the Roman legions. The pages that follow in each chapter talk about specifics of the swords and blades pictured as well as other weapons that might have been used by that warrior; amazingly detailed illustrations of the various instruments of war help to show what they would have looked like or how they might have been used. Other chapters in the book include: "Samarai," "Korean Silla Knights," "Warriors (with a special emphasis on Vikings and Berserkers)" and "Landsknechts." The author tells us that the book results from his lifelong interest in swords; as the author and illustrator notes, the "book covers a broad expanse of both history and geography, serving as a repository of memory, inspiration, and imagination." This amazing picture book will be a great addition to any library. Reviewer: Jean Boreen, Ph.D.