Ancient Warrior Guide Series

Combines the latest research with contemporary lives, descriptions, and reconstructions to provide a dramatic picture of what it was like to be a samurai.

Combines the latest research and discoveries with a humorous eye to take us inside the Viking world

“A fascinating little handbook of serious scholarship and irrepressible wit, Legionary vividly illuminates military life in ancient Rome.”—Boston Globe Your emperor needs you for the Roman army! The year is 100 CE and Rome stands supreme and unconquerable from the desert sands of Mesopotamia to the misty highlands of Caledonia. Yet the might of Rome rests completely on the armored shoulders of the legionaries who hold back the barbarian hordes and push forward the frontiers of the empire. This carefully researched yet entertainingly nonacademic book tells you how to join the Roman legions, the best places to serve, and how to keep your armor from getting rusty. Learn to march under the eagles of Rome from training, campaigns, and battle to the glory of a Roman triumph and retirement with a pension plan. Every aspect of army life is discussed, from drill to diet, with handy tips on topics such as how to select the best footwear or how to avoid being skewered by enemy spears. Combining the latest archaeological discoveries with the written records of those who actually saw the Roman legions in action, this book provides a vivid picture of what it meant to be a Roman legionary.

An insider’s guide: how to become a knight, wield a sword, join a Crusade, and make your fortune. The knight is the supreme warrior of the Middle Ages. Fully armored and mounted on a magnificent charger, he seems invincible. Honor and glory await him as, guided by the chivalric code, he fights with lance and sword. This carefully researched yet entertaining book provides all the essential information you need to become a successful knight in the later Middle Ages, during the period of the Hundred Years’ War. Should you go on a Crusade? Which order of chivalry might you consider joining? What is required when you go through the ceremony of knighthood? Here are the answers to these and many more questions plus practical advice on topics such as equipment, fighting methods, and the conventions of warfare. But the knightly life is not all battles and sieges: there are also tournaments and jousts to enjoy and the world of courtly love. Based on contemporary lives and descriptions, this book—written by a leading medieval historian—paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a medieval knight.

Delve into the world of ancient Rome with an engaging guide that reveals the secrets of becoming a gladiator. Learn essential fighting techniques, training regimens, and the art of captivating audiences in the Colosseum. This informative resource combines entertainment with historical accuracy, providing readers with a vivid portrayal of gladiatorial life and the skills required to succeed in the arena.

Set in the year 1789 and based on the original ninja manuals of that era, this witty and informative secret manual equips readers with all the tools needed to become a master of ninjutsu.