A very enjoyable book for anyone interested in historical swordfighting. It will be of use to the historical European martial arts crowd, those involved in swordfighting for the theatre, writers who want to understand how swordfighting works to make their own descriptions more believable, and people who just love the idea of swordfighting as an actual, practical art.
NetGalley, Bakka Phoenix

A great reference full of interesting facts that made me want to read more. I found it hard to put down and finished in a weekend.
NetGalley, Shelly Myers

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars A very interesting book looking into a history group that I honestly had no idea had even been around, but this book was engaging and well written . History and Japanese buffs will love this book!
NetGalley, Heather Bennett

The surprising thing about Ian Friel's book is how far back into the annals of our history it travels. The Viking invaders pre-1297 also had sailing boats, of course, and the British eventually copied their design and build, but this is a comprehensive and brilliantly conceived memoir of a seafaring nation from its earliest times to when it was time to use steam power for our naval craft. Absolutely fascinating!
Books Monthly

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Incredibly well-written and researched. A very in-depth look at Mary Queen of Scots' Secretary William Maitland. I found it fascinating and very interesting. I highly recommend it to any history buffs.
NetGalley, Steph Elias