And this pattern becomes visible throughout fencing history, no matter if you look at the attitudes of the old English masters of defence toward the Mediterranean rapier schools, the salon fencer's opinions about the 18th century pugilists and gladiators, down to the general notions of thrust fencing's superiority over cut fencing. Small surprize that there are few systems that escape without being sliced, diced, analyzed, and put into proper place in Amberger's Secret History . But while he does not avoid strong opinion as long as it is his own, his scholarly tactics are proving his case by turning his subject's own weapons against it. The scope of research is impressive. But despite the evident erudition, Amberger's style remains highly readable, entertaining even.
Academia does to writing what formaldehyde does to living tissue.
Which may answer the question why his approach to re-writing history not only appeals to fencers, historians, sword buffs, and martial artists of all persuasions, but also to people with little or no idea of the marvellous world of fencing who are looking for a good read. And a damn good read it is.