I'm looking to read a book on the history of the bow and archery, which one would you recommend? I'm interested in a broad review, not just one culture's use of the bow. Thanks
History? Easy. "The Crooked Stick" by Hugh Soar. He's English historian w/maybe the most comprehensive compilation of facts re the longbow I've ever read. It's in English social tradition so a bit lackluster at times. Hugh is still kicking I believe. Great guy!
Also recommend; "Hunting with the Bow & Arrow" by Dr. Saxton Pope as well as "The Witchery of Archery" by Thompson brothers. These are just stories of turn of the century hunts w/trad equipment. Great stuff!
My concern when I've looked at books like "the crooked stick" is that it appears to be focused on the english longbow, but what about Asian, native American, etc? If my understaning of the book is wring please let me know.
Thanks
When you find it, let me know. I have stacks and stacks of Archery books and mags, and I am still looking...LOL! As it sounds like you are about to start your own collection of Archery books, go ahead and get yourself a subscription to TBM. You will save money in the long run.
Not a book but interesting regardless:
http://www.centenaryarchers.gil.com.au/history.htm
;)
If you can find one "The Grey Goose Wing" is great but expensive
The interesting thing to me is that the bow and arrow were invented independently by approx 80% of the cultures of the world, and so bows and arrows and shooting methods vary enormously from culture to culture. Since bows and arrows were invented independently many times rather than being invented once and then spreading from culture to culture, this indicates to me that there is something inherently human about the bow and arrow.
Perhaps because of these differences, I haven't been able to find one book that ties it all together, so you may be at the beginning of a collection.
"Longbow" by Robert Hardy, is great, and there are good technical descriptions of various bows of the world in "The Trad Bowyers Bible" series, such as "Bows of the World" in vol 3.
Thanks guys. I'm going to check out several of these.
Each one tells of a time of history that the bow and arrow was used!
I don't think modern day man, can give an exact, on the type and use without "living" that experience!
In the beginning, I beleive, God laid down the bow and arrow for man to use, and over time he tweaked it to suit thy needs, weapon, or tool for food!
Always a bent stick, and arrow.
A bow, string and arrow.... the Trinity!
Thank you Lord for giving this gift and the greatest, Salvation! MHO
The Grey Goose Wing, a big coffee table book, is probably the best on the archery history of many cultures. Many of the books out there are anglo centric, this one does a good job covering most of the world. It could be improved in some chapters and its hard to find, but probably the most thorough printed.
For a good read on bows in battle use, and not just the English longbow, read Vic Hurley's excellent "Arrows Against Steel". One of the absolute best military history books.
I acquired both of these books through bookfinder. I'm hoping some outfit will reprint them.
"Bows on The Little Delta"
Thanks Sal. They sound promising.
The Medieval Archer by Jim Bradbury is a good book covering that period of history. You would probably need to source several books to cover all aspects of archery history.
DaveP
QuoteOriginally posted by Lucas K:
If you can find one "The Grey Goose Wing" is great but expensive
Our local library has this one and I have checked it out a dozen times, maybe more, over the years. Wish I had a copy. Not big on bowhunting or a "how-to" but it gives a great overview of the bow through history.
I've run across one I'm curious if any of you have heard of, "Traditional archery from six continents: the Charles a. Grayson collection". It looks pretty inclusive of various developmental lines
If you think about it, before we had bows and arrows, we had string (cordage). If you want a complete understanding of the history of bows and arrows, you might want to start with an understanding of the history of string, and I know of no better place to start than Tim Baker's article in "The Traditional Bowyer's Bible" vol 2, entitled "Strings."
QuoteOriginally posted by Texasrecurve81:
I've run across one I'm curious if any of you have heard of, "Traditional archery from six continents: the Charles a. Grayson collection". It looks pretty inclusive of various developmental lines
I was so annoyed about it having gone out-of-print before I bought a copy, I arranged to have a second hardcover printing --- available on Amazon now --- it's a fabulous book.
QuoteOriginally posted by Lucas K:
If you can find one "The Grey Goose Wing" is great but expensive
My favorite as well. I used to check it out of the local library occasionally until it disappeared. So I bought a copy for my own.
The witchery of archery, by Maurice Thomson
Each time I read this book, I day dream of hunting the South East
F-Manny
All these books listed are must haves. Luckily I have most of them. I am going to research "the grey goose wing" today.
Of all the archery books that I have the one I would never part with is The Gray Goose Wing by E.G.Heath. I've had my copy for 30+ years
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41bK1XVj7SL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)
I have to go with Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Saxon Pope. It's not only an excellent general overview, but an interesting and highly motivating read as well. Pope gives a great historical perspective and comparison of the European and Native American bow styles, building, and shooting techniques. Also, the hunting adventures of Pope and Young are are priceless!!!! I read it over 50 years ago, and still enjoy picking it up and reading various chapters on occasion.it's a must read for every archer.IMHO.
I don't understand, I have a book called The Gray Goose Wing, but it is buy St. Charles they can't be the same book
I also have Archery by Almer, The archer's craft, & Turkish Archery and Modern methods in Archery all by St. Charles
QuoteOriginally posted by William F. Adams:
QuoteOriginally posted by Texasrecurve81:
I've run across one I'm curious if any of you have heard of, "Traditional archery from six continents: the Charles a. Grayson collection". It looks pretty inclusive of various developmental lines
I was so annoyed about it having gone out-of-print before I bought a copy, I arranged to have a second hardcover printing --- available on Amazon now --- it's a fabulous book. [/b]
Thanks William, I just ordered one from you on Amazon.
Fred.....yes it is the same book. "The Gray Goose Wing", was included as a part of the "Legends of the Longbow" series that Glenn St. Charles put together in limited edition sets. I have this copy as well. I echo this as an excellent resource.
Tex the 1st volume of the Traditional Bowyer's Bible is an awesome read for anyone interested in bow design and what makes a bow work. Highly recommended. "Hunting with the Bow and Arrow" by Saxton Pope is also a must.
McDave --- hope you got your copy safely --- please let me know either way.
I am reading Ishi in Two Worlds. Not necessarily the history of archery but certainly a good read on some archery history.
What longarrow said
QuoteOriginally posted by McDave:
QuoteOriginally posted by William F. Adams:
QuoteOriginally posted by Texasrecurve81:
I've run across one I'm curious if any of you have heard of, "Traditional archery from six continents: the Charles a. Grayson collection". It looks pretty inclusive of various developmental lines
I was so annoyed about it having gone out-of-print before I bought a copy, I arranged to have a second hardcover printing --- available on Amazon now --- it's a fabulous book. [/b]
Thanks William, I just ordered one from you on Amazon. [/b]
I was away on a trip when the book arrived, so I just opened it. I've just paged through it briefly, but I can see that this is going to be one of the treasures in my library. The photographs and illustrations are superb. We owe a debt of gratitude to people like William who make these out-of-print masterpieces available to us. If not for William, a person would be paying something like $1,100 for a collectible copy. Not so good, perhaps, for those who would like to make $1,100 on one of their old books, but great for those of us who are primarily interested in the content.
Glad it arrived safely! Thanks for the kind words --- makes all the effort worthwhile.
A few more copies have sold (one to Norway and another to The Netherlands!), and I provided some @ wholesale to the folks at The Krackow Company, so they'll have them at their table at events which they attend. For those who speak German, there is a German translation in paperback (but it doesn't have the tidied up illustrations, and I doubt they corrected Thomas Duvernay's name).
Hopefully enough more copies will sell soon enough that I can justify another venture like this.