The oldest weapon archaeologists have found is a wooden spear unearthed in Essex, England. It is simply a long, straight piece of wood, one end of which has been chipped with stone flakes into a sharp point. Prehistoric man fastened a stone, preferably one with sharp edges, to his spear, and thus created a more effective weapon. In its day, this crude spear, whose stone head often came unfastened at crucial moments, was a technological breakthroogh of great significance. Ever since, the development of essential weapons has led the advance of technical civilization—and of artistic achievement as well.

Warriors' Weapons traces this exciting story up to the development of gunpowder. Here are the simple weapons of primitive people: the spear, the club, the blowgun, the remarkable boomerang of Australian aborigines, and the South Americans' curious bola that winds itself around an enemy. Mr. Buehr shows how man's ingenuity, spurred on by necessity, led to inventions on which modern society now depends, particularly in the field of metallurgy—copper refining, creation of bronze alloys, and the smelting of steel.

The ancient metal arms were masterpieces of the smith's craft. Swords were etched and forged to reveal the sinuous design of pattern-welded steel. Hilts, shields, and helmets—and even the armor designed to protect a knight's horse—were embellished with intricate engravings and rare jewels. Many of these half forgotten weapons demonstrated impressive technical skill. A hauberk of chain mail required three man-years to make and cost $12,000 in today's money.

Warriors' Weapons discusses in detail such items as armor, siege machines, nearly impregnable castles, and even strategy and tactics, the development of which paralleled the evolution of hand weapons. Medieval castles were protected by their isolation, moats, one or more walls, well-trained defenders, and other complex fortifications. Yet even they were vulnerable to ingenious siege machines—ballistas, trebuchets, catapults—all built entirely of wood at the scene.

Eighty line drawings illustrate these strange and beautiful weapons of bygone days and a glossary provides concise descriptions of familiar and exotic arms. Warriors' Weapons will fascinate the history buff and every reader will be intrigued with Mr. Buehr's informative book.