The Book of the Sword
Richard Francis Burton, explorer, Orientalist and a trained swordsman since his Oxford days, published The Book of the Sword in 1884 as the first of a projected three volumes; the others were never written. It is a history of the weapon from the beginnings of mankind to the early Roman Empire: the stone and the stick, the boomerang and the wooden sword, the copper, bronze and iron ages, the question of what a sword is, and then the sword in Egypt and modern Africa, among the Hittites, Phoenicians, Jews and Etruscans, in Babylonia, Assyria, Persia and India, in Homeric and classical Greece, in Rome's legions and gladiatorial schools, and among the barbarians. The learning is vast and the opinions are Burton's own. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Book of the Sword
The Book of the Sword by Sir Richard Francis Burton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Book of the Sword online?
Yes. The Book of the Sword opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Book of the Sword free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Book of the Sword is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Book of the Sword in the public domain?
Yes. The Book of the Sword by Sir Richard Francis Burton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Book of the Sword?
About 10 h 50 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Book of the Sword?
The Book of the Sword by Sir Richard Francis Burton is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
