Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #529524 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 112 pages

Synopsis
How well do you really know your bow? What are its historical origins, and how is it related to the other great families of bows around the world, ancient and modern? And how do the differences in bow designs reflect different styles of archery and levels of performance? This work surveys the multiple varieties and peak achievements of the art of archery from around the world, covering primitive, traditional and modern bows from the civilizations of North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. Beginning with an account of how prehistoric human ingenuity developed the bow - one of the most complex of our early tools - the text examines why different societies produced different styles of archery, and gives particular emphasis to the distinction between bows for war and bows for hunting. Dimensions and construction materials are given for each bow examined, along with sidebars on arrows and quivers. Also included are key shooting characteristics and performance facts, as well as an in-depth focus on the legends, folklore, and spiritual attributes that have developed around archery, from Native American myths to Zen meditative artistry.

Customer Reviews

Very good photos, but a bit shallow
This book is worth it's price for the photos alone. The text however is to shallow, and on one or two points the author draws conclusions which may be based on to few/poor sources. The book does not describe the anounced shooting characteristics of the different bows. It certainly does not cover making of any bows.
It's a good read, if a quite bit to short. Just remember; There are more bows in the world.

Bows of the world
Bows of the world is an excellent book with some amazing plates. On the subjects of North American and Asian composite recurve bows it is very thorough and extensive however it should be noted that information is perhaps lacking on some of the more rare bow from of indigenous people Oceania. Never the less a interesting and excellent introduction in the science of ethno-toxophily