This beautifully presented book traces the history of swords, sabres, spears and lances from Paleolithic origins to the twentieth-century demise of the sword as a military weapon. Focusing on eras of historical and military significance, such as the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War, the author describes how the development of edged weapons brutally shaped some of our greatest civilizations. At the heart of the book is a wide-ranging and fully illustrated directory, featuring more than 500 examples from around the world. From the spears of Ancient Egypt to the swords of the Russian empire, and from the swords of the Japanese Samurai to the blades used in World Wars I and II, each entry is accompanied by a photograph of the weapon and key details including date, origin and length. The 800 photographs and illustrations of these extraordinary pieces of craftmanship will fascinate anyone interested in the conflicts and weapons that have shaped our history.