If you had to pick one archery history book

[TexasStick81]

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

[straitera]

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!

[TexasStick81]

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

[Hit-or-Miss]

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.

[JohnnyWayne]

Not a book but interesting regardless:

http://www.centenaryarchers.gil.com.au/history.htm

[Lucas K]

If you can find one "The Grey Goose Wing" is great but expensive

[McDave]

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.

[TexasStick81]

Thanks guys.  I'm going to check out several of these.

[frank bullitt]

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

[Sal]

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.

[longarrow]

"Bows on The Little Delta"

[TexasStick81]

Thanks Sal.  They sound promising.

[Dave Paradowski]

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

[Stumpkiller]

Originally 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.

[TexasStick81]

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

[McDave]

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."

[William F. Adams]

Originally 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.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally 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.

[Frenchymanny]

The witchery of archery, by Maurice Thomson

Each time I read this book, I day dream of hunting the South East

F-Manny

[Jack Hoyt 75]

All these books listed are must haves. Luckily I have most of them.  I am going to research "the grey goose wing" today.