The Traditional Archers Handbook: A Practical Guide

Many introductory-level handbooks flood the reader with too much information, leading to confusion. Greenland provides precisely the right amount. Her text is simple, straightforward, clear and lively, and her enthusiasm is contagious.

Anybody interested in traditional archery and making traditional bows couldn't do better than to start with this book.Once you've made and learned to use your first bow, move on to the classics, such as Jim Hamm's 'Traditional Bowyer's Bible'.

An excellent book in every respect.


A gem of knowledge, appeals to both new and the experienced   July 1, 2001
 40 out of 43 found this review helpful

For the increasing number of archers (or would-be archers) who have a wish to return to the roots of their sport beyond just shooting this little handbook is an excellent introduction . Hillary Greenland takes us through the choices that need to be taken as regards to bow, it's tuning, arrow and string. The main variations found in each are described although regrettably no mention is made of the Mongolian or Japanese bows. The book is worth buying for the chapter on arrows alone. Handling gives mostly basic but sound advice useful not only for the newcommer but also for the experienced archer comming from a diffrent discipline. Under each topic the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of equipmrnt, materials and preformances are given with no attempt to guide the reader to any particular type - each are given a fair and unbiased appraisal with their suitability in diffrent styles of competition or discipline allowing the now enlightened archer to make their own choices. Care for the equipment and how to appraise the state of the materials both for the longevity and safety of the bow, arrow, string and user are esential yet often an neglected area. Finally a brief description of how to make a primitive bow is given. The merits and drawbacks of diffrent designs, timbers, backing and tools to be used are discussed. Suggested dimentions of an English Longbow an American Flat bow and a Pyramid bow are given. Here a preferance is stated for the latter not, I think, for any fondness of the design but to hrlp the novice produce a tolerable result. It cannot be within the scope of such a small book to give detailed advice on all aspects of bow making. The finished product seems to be for sheer pleasure not to win competitions - that of course is up to the archer. This book purports to be a handbook and a practical guide not a detailed text-book and as such I feel it lives up to its title superbly. A good glossary, fair and balanced writing and some humour make this a worthy addition to any archer's book shelf or even tackle bag. I feel I can thoroughly recomemend it to all archers traditional or not as there is something for everyone packed into this small volume.