On Fencing

New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1943. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Hardcover. Good. xv, [1], 300, [2] pages. Illustrations. Appendix. Decorative front cover and spine. Foreword by Paul Gallico. Some endpaper discoloration. Some cover wear and soiling. "A model of fencing instruction."—Time Magazine. "A detailed and well-illustrated exposition of the art."—The New York Times Aldo Nadi (29 April 1899 - 10 November 1965) was one of the greatest Italian fencers of all time. Aldo was born into a fencing family in Livorno, Italy, and both Aldo and his brother Nedo Nadi were fencers from a very young age. They were both taught foil and sabre in the classical Italian school of swordsmanship by their father, Beppe Nadi, who believed the épée to be an "undisciplined" weapon and refused to teach it. The brothers therefore practiced épée by themselves. In 1920, at the age of 21, Nadi won gold medals at the Olympics in team foil, team épée, and team sabre. He also won a silver medal in individual sabre, second only to his brother Nedo Nadi. Nadi emigrated to the United States in 1935. He taught fencing in New York City from 1935 to 1943, and in 1943 published a book On Fencing. Also in 1943, he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he continued to teach fencing in his own school, in addition to occasionally coaching actors for fencing scenes in films. He even made a film appearance himself, as a bodyguard in To Have and Have Not (1944), starring Humphrey Bogart. In 1955, Nadi wrote his autobiography (The Living Sword: A Fencer's Autobiography), which was published 30 years after his death. Paul William Gallico (July 26, 1897 - July 15, 1976) was an American novelist, short story and sports writer. Many of his works were adapted for motion pictures. He is perhaps best remembered for The Snow Goose, his most critically successful book, and for the novel The Poseidon Adventure, primarily through the 1972 film adaptation. Gallico graduated from Columbia University in 1919 and first achieved notice in the 1920s as a sportswriter, sports columnist, and sports editor of the New York Daily News. Gallico's career was launched by an interview with boxer Jack Dempsey in which he asked Dempsey to spar with him. Gallico described how it felt to be knocked out by the heavyweight champion. He followed up with accounts of catching Dizzy Dean's fastball and golfing with Bobby Jones. He became one of the highest-paid sportswriters in America. He founded the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. Amateur champion and Olympic gold medalist, professional competitor and fencing master, duelist and teacher, Aldo Nadi ranks among the greatest fencers of all time. Born at the turn of the twentieth century into an Italian fencing family, Nadi grew up in a milieu that fostered a passion for fencing. In this outstanding guide, he offers an unsurpassed wealth of technical and tactical advice and evokes the sport's glamour, romance, and excitement. Suitable for both beginners and advanced fencers, this comprehensive guide to foil technique progresses from fundamentals to sophisticated maneuvers. Nadi presents philosophical and practical evaluations of every facet of the game, from attack, defense, and deceit, to the impulse to win, the tournament temperament, and the ability to analyze opponents. Only a fencer of Nadi's caliber could write with such complete authority, sharing the secrets discovered with many years of experience. Written in the 1940s, this book became the most-sought-after volume of its kind. Nadi's advice remains as valid today as it was decades ago, and his guide is essential reading for every serious fencer and aspiring champion.