wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (09/09/85)
There was a recent reference to the essay "On Thud and Blunder", in Poul Anderson's collection, FANTASY (p. 159, Pinnacle/Tor Books, 1981). This is factual info on the environment behind a believeable fantasy world and on fighting techniques. Those who are interested in or enjoyed this should also read a set of essays (called "commentaries") in HEROIC FANTASY, ed. by Gerald W. Page and Hank Reinhardt (DAW Books, 1979). The first of these credits Hank Reinhardt as the author, but the others make no mention of the authorship, implying that Reinhardt wrote all of them. They are: "Commentary of Swords and Swordplay" (p.81) "Commentary on Armor" (p. 134) "Third Commentary on Courage and Heroism" (p.206) (The titles are as I printed them; don't know why the last has the word "Third" in it, when the others were not designated as "First" or "Second".) If you liked Anderson's essay, you'll like these. Regards, Will