What do you think?
Rate this book
From Cool Runnings to World Superpower: The Rise of American Fencing
Breathtaking. Unexpected. Deserved.
Where has American fencing been and where is it going?
This book will take you on a journey along with American fencing from the beginnings in the times of the Founding Fathers, all the way through the lackluster first decades of American competition in the Olympic Games, and on to today where American fencing stands poised to build on its success and become a major player on the world stage. It’s been a complicated road for the United States, one that’s intertwined with world politics and changing social structures. The American story is one of immigration and tenacity.
For the better part of a hundred years, American fencing was the undisputed underdog. Over the last twenty years, that’s changed. The United States stands at the ready to take on the most prominent fencing superpowers and to win. The wins have begun already, with American fencers rising to podiums in World Championships and Olympic Games, across weapons and across genders.
Noticing the change is one thing, understanding why it happened is another. How have American fencers gone from being at the bottom of the fencing barrel to rising to the top? What is unique about the American fencing story in comparison to established European fencing powers? Where is American fencing going and how will the past inform the future?
Going from a nobody to a somebody is a classic American story. Here we chronicle the influences that have pushed the United States through a breathtaking and unexpected rise to the top of world fencing. From Cold War politics to competitive structures, generational learning to innovative techniques, here you’ll find the wandering and thrilling tale of how we got here. There’s undoubtedly a long way yet to go, but learning the path here is key to taking American fencing forward towards that well-deserved success.
Where has American fencing been and where is it going?
This book will take you on a journey along with American fencing from the beginnings in the times of the Founding Fathers, all the way through the lackluster first decades of American competition in the Olympic Games, and on to today where American fencing stands poised to build on its success and become a major player on the world stage. It’s been a complicated road for the United States, one that’s intertwined with world politics and changing social structures. The American story is one of immigration and tenacity.
For the better part of a hundred years, American fencing was the undisputed underdog. Over the last twenty years, that’s changed. The United States stands at the ready to take on the most prominent fencing superpowers and to win. The wins have begun already, with American fencers rising to podiums in World Championships and Olympic Games, across weapons and across genders.
Noticing the change is one thing, understanding why it happened is another. How have American fencers gone from being at the bottom of the fencing barrel to rising to the top? What is unique about the American fencing story in comparison to established European fencing powers? Where is American fencing going and how will the past inform the future?
Going from a nobody to a somebody is a classic American story. Here we chronicle the influences that have pushed the United States through a breathtaking and unexpected rise to the top of world fencing. From Cold War politics to competitive structures, generational learning to innovative techniques, here you’ll find the wandering and thrilling tale of how we got here. There’s undoubtedly a long way yet to go, but learning the path here is key to taking American fencing forward towards that well-deserved success.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2019
7 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 1, 2019
I am so behind... I finished this weeks ago and have been reticent to post this because... You'll see…
Igor Chirashnya who wrote this book, also writes a newsletter fencing parents and fencers swear by for the Academy of Fencing Masters. This is, no joke, the best resource on fencing I've found It's really well done.
I expected a book by the same guy to be as informative. But was I wrong. The promise of history and perspective was enticing to me. I looked forward to reading about a classic American rise-from-not-much to success story. I was interested particularly about women and people of color gaining traction in this sport. And so on. And none of this promise was fulfilled. At All.
And then there were the sloppy errors -- spelling, grammar and structure. I know it is a self-published tome, but there are a ton of apps that can fix these errors. Someone is clearly editing the newsletter -- where was this person?
I feel like there's a place/medium for everyone. The forté of Igor is clearly a newsletter. *****
Book 45
Igor Chirashnya who wrote this book, also writes a newsletter fencing parents and fencers swear by for the Academy of Fencing Masters. This is, no joke, the best resource on fencing I've found It's really well done.
I expected a book by the same guy to be as informative. But was I wrong. The promise of history and perspective was enticing to me. I looked forward to reading about a classic American rise-from-not-much to success story. I was interested particularly about women and people of color gaining traction in this sport. And so on. And none of this promise was fulfilled. At All.
And then there were the sloppy errors -- spelling, grammar and structure. I know it is a self-published tome, but there are a ton of apps that can fix these errors. Someone is clearly editing the newsletter -- where was this person?
I feel like there's a place/medium for everyone. The forté of Igor is clearly a newsletter. *****
Book 45
February 1, 2026
I have learned so much in the past month. I see why more women have grown into the sport and why it becomes a lifestyle—so addicting!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews