- Publisher: The School of European Swordsmanship
A transcription, translation and commentary of Philippo Vadi's De Arte Gladiatoria Dimicandi manuscript, by Guy Windsor.
The result of a successful Indiegogo campaign, this book brings a long-disregarded swordfighting manual to life. The original handwritten text has been painstakingly transcribed, translated from the original Italian into English, and explained in detail. Part scholarship, part guide to the modern student of swordsmanship, this is an indispensable work for anyone interested in history or martial arts.
This book has been completely revised and corrected, and released as The Art of Sword Fighting in Earnest. The original edition (this one) is no longer available.
Reviews
Guy Windsor with his books, videos, essays and personal work is doing more than his share to accomplish a rebirth of our past. The pun on Caesar's often quoted VENI VIDI VICI (I came I saw I conquered) is quite nice. If you are interested in the old weapons of the West and on the fact that combat used to include all the weapons available (dagger, sword, wrestling, etc.) perusing this book is like travelling in time. An almost complete system that even includes different animals and symbols that gives a flavor very similar to what we have today in the martial arts of the orient and it is also a useful aid-memory.
Guy's translation of Vadi has absolutely opened my eyes to new way of looking at this work. The straightforward and easy to understand format makes it an enjoyable book just to read but Guy also provides a technical doorway to Vadi that isnt available elsewhere. This is a book I will go back to time and again.
Guy WIndsor's greatest gift to WMA/HEMA is his marvellous ability to translate period language into a meaningful experience for modern WMA/HEMA practitioners and he has once more shown his ability to do exactly that. Veni Vadi Vici is a great resource for people who want to have a deeper understanding of the Italian fighting arts as defined by Fiore and Vadi. For those who love German, or other nationalities, it will help you gain keen insight into the strategy used by Italian fighters.