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Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare

Knives, Swords, and Bayonets: A World History of Edged Weapon Warfare comprises ten shorter books on specialized edged weapons. Each book can be purchased separately in print or electronic format.

 

 

Kukris and Gurkhas: Nepalese Kukri Combat Knives and the Men Who Wield Them
This book examines the kukri knife as a combat weapon and relates it to the history of the Gurkha soldier. It starts with a historical background of the Gurkhas, including an account of the campaigns in which they fought. It then explores the origin and handling characteristics of the kukri and its combat applications. Next it discusses Gurkha recruitment into the British and Indian armies, followed by an examination of the status of Gurkhas as mercenary soldiers. The book summarizes with a discussion of the Gurkha reputation as the “bravest of the brave.” The concluding remarks focus on the Gurkhas’ so-called “inherent” fighting characteristics and the kukri knife as a symbol of status and skill.

 

Machete, Kris, and Throwing Iron: Edged Weapons of Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa
This book focuses on three geographical regions associated with jungle, desert, and guerrilla warfare from around the fifteenth century to modern day: Latin America, Indonesia, and Africa. The book starts by discussing the machete and other big-bladed weapons used extensively in Central America, Cuba, Mexico, and Chile. Next it explores the unique knives of Indonesia, with particular focus on the kris. It then examines the bladed weapons of the different regions of the African continent, including the tactics used in pre- and post-colonial warfare. The history of metallurgic science and the migration of weapons to different regions are also explored. The concluding remarks summarize the main points of each section.

 

Cold Steel: The Knife in Army, Navy, and Special Forces Operations
Although soldiers carry knives for a variety of purposes—not all knives are designed strictly for fighting but also double as tools such as trench digger, ration opener, parachute line cutter, etc.—this book concerns itself primarily with the role the knife has played as a combat weapon in near modern and modern warfare in the western world. Combat can further be broken down into the use of the knife to kill an enemy including sentry killings and trench raids, and the psychological use of the knife as a weapon of coercion or to send the enemy to flight. The book begins with a discussion of knife design and carry, which purpose it is to familiarize the reader with the many factors the knife smith must consider when crafting the weapon. Next it demonstrates the important function the knife has served as a battlefield sidearm in the different military branches. It then examines the effectiveness of the knife and how soldiers have trained to prepare for the possibility of using cold steel against an enemy combatant. The concluding remarks focus on the knife as a weapon of inspiration.

 

Japanese Swords: The Katana and Gunto in Medieval and Modern Japanese Warfare
This book focuses on the era that one normally associates with the medieval period. It starts by exploring the history of Japanese sword making, the development of metallurgic science, and the skill required of the swordsmith to forge a strong and battle-worthy blade that adhered to the standards followed by the samurai warrior class. It then covers samurai mentality and philosophy of sword fighting, with respect to the battlefield use of the katana and the dynamics of Japanese swordsmanship. It summarizes with a history of the gunto new-army sword and the practical and philosophical value this sword had to the twentieth-century soldier. The concluding remarks focus on the sword as a symbol of Japanese culture.

 

Chinese Swords: The Evolution and Use of the Jian and Dao
China, a country of vast resources, developed its metal and iron industry earlier than its western counterparts and achieved great advances in metallurgic science. There were two classes of Chinese swords: the straight double edged jian and the slightly curved single edged dao. The jian proved effective mainly for chivalry combat in the Zhou Dynasty (1045-256 BCE), and was later carried by the nobility as a symbol of status. Military officers, perhaps because of their association with the nobility, seem to have preferred the double edged jian over the dao. The dao proved useful mainly in cavalry combat, which started to gain popularity in the Western Han Dynasty (202 BCE-9 CE). The dao was a true soldier’s weapon that required more attention to fighting skill than finesse. This book follows a chronological path through China’s dynasties, exploring sword design and swordsmanship. The concluding remarks recap the long history of the sword with focus on the philosophical value one assigned the weapon.

 

Yatagan, Khanda, and Jamdhar: Swords and Sabers of Persia and India
This book starts with an overview of metallurgic science and the development of edged weapons in pre-historic Persia and India. Its main focus is the Common Era, however. Islamic culture and conflict in the pre-medieval period and through the Crusades is discussed first, including warfare against the Byzantine Empire. An examination of the use of the sword in the wars of the Ottoman Empire from the fifteenth century CE follows. Next the book explores warfare and the development of edged weapons in India from medieval times into near modern day. It touches on the Sikh Wars and India’s conflicts with the British Empire. The concluding remarks emphasize the sword as a lethal and reliable weapon into near modern day, and makes particular note of the philosophical value of the sword.

 

Sickle Sword and Battle Axe: Edged Weapons of Ancient Egypt
This book begins with an examination of metal and weapon manufacturing in ancient Egypt, and discusses the different sword shapes used. It then explores Egypt’s military organization, including the tactics and weapons of chariot, infantry, and naval warfare. Next it discusses the structure of the army, the procedures used for recruiting and training the troops, and the general sentiment of the population toward warfare. The concluding remarks recap cultural traits and important developments in Egyptian history, and also discuss the cultural and spiritual value of the sword.

 

Gladius and Spatha: Swords and Warfare in the Classical World
This book begins with an introduction to bronze, iron, and steel used in weapons and armor in Classical Greece, Britain, Gaul, Rome, and Spain. Next it examines the type of training the soldiers encountered to prepare them for battle. This section focuses mainly on the training of the Roman warriors. The book then analyzes the military organization and battlefield tactics of the Greeks, Romans, and Celts. It ends with a discussion of war wounds and the protection that various types of armor afforded the soldier. The concluding remarks focus on the pragmatic way in which one viewed war in the Classical world.

 

Longsword and Saber: Swords and Swordsmen of Medieval and Modern Europe
This book starts by discussing the role of the swordsmith and his understanding of sword dynamics for battlefield use. It analyzes the physical training of the swordsman and the techniques he committed himself to studying in order to defeat an enemy in battle, and the debate surrounding the “best” types of swords and training techniques. Next the book examines the use of the sword in mass armies, primarily the Crusades. It examines the saber and its use in nineteenth century infantry, cavalry, and naval warfare, followed by a discussion of the social mores of the times and the reasons why the sword evolved into a dueling and sport fencing weapon. The concluding remarks summarize the development of the sword from early medieval times to modern day.

 

Pike, Halberd, and Bayonet: Sharp Weapons in Near Modern and Modern Warfare
This book begins with a discussion of the edged weapons that were the forerunners to the bayonet: the pike and the halberd. It then examines the physical drill and mental preparation required of the soldier to successfully engage an enemy combatant with the bayonet. Next it covers military operations in which the bayonet has served a primary function from the eighteenth century to modern day, followed by a study of the utility of the bayonet in the age of firearms, particularly in World War I. The concluding remarks focus on the popularity of the bayonet since its inception and the reasons why it survived as a weapon of the modern battlefield.