Duelling Through The Ages
Duelling through the Ages is a book that explores the long and varied history of duelling. From ancient Roman gladiators to modern-day politicians, the practice of duelling has taken many forms throughout the ages. Despite numerous attempts to ban the practice, duelling has persisted, often driven by a sense of honour or a desire to defend one’s social standing.
The last known duel with swords in France took place at a private residence just outside of Paris in 1967 between two politicians, Gaston Deferre and Rene Ribiere. It was ended after Ribiere, who was due to be married the following day, was twice cut on the arm by Gaston.
The book also delves into some of the more unusual and unexpected ways in which duels have been conducted, including using billiard balls and elephants as weapons and resolving disputes in hot air balloons. As efforts to put an end to duelling continue, the upper classes of British society in particular have turned to pugilism as a means of settling their disputes.
Overall, Duelling through the Ages offers a captivating look at the history and cultural significance of duelling and raises important questions about the motivations behind this controversial practice.
You can buy the book here from Pen and Sword books.
Please note I was not paid to write this review but was sent a review copy of the book. All comments are my own, and the publishers have not amended the review in any way.
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