Bows of the World

Rating:
Summary: So, about the arrows...
Review: A good survey of the various forms of the bow and their distribution. The book is crippled by the lack of any information whatsoever about arrows. In my opinion, that's a serious oversight as a bow is pretty useless without arrows. Otherwise, a well written and beautifully illustrated book that is still one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: So, about the arrows...
Review: A good survey of the various forms of the bow and their distribution. The book is crippled by the lack of any information whatsoever about arrows. In my opinion, that's a serious oversight as a bow is pretty useless without arrows. Otherwise, a well written and beautifully illustrated book that is still one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: give me more
Review: Bows of the World. That's gotta be a lotta bows from a lotta different people from many different times. Well this book is less than 80 actual pages and left me wanting...especially for the money I paid. The writing is at times sub-professional and the information is often scarce. The pictures are really the only virtue. With such a broad topic the research could have been more encompassing. Many publishers probably aren't willing to invest money into a book with quality pictures concerning an un-popular topic such as primitive and traditional archery so I am glad the book Bows of the World was published in the first place. It is the only one of its kind that I know of and therefore the best. Still, it could be much, much better. Maybe David Gray will return to his side project some day to fill in the blanks so it can actually live up to the claims it makes on the inside cover. The three volumes of The Traditional Bowyer's Bible are very good and worthy on mention here but they are overall more technical and written more with the bowyer in mind than the enthusiast.

Rating:
Summary: give me more
Review: Bows of the World. That's gotta be a lotta bows from a lotta different people from many different times. Well this book is less than 80 actual pages and left me wanting...especially for the money I paid. The writing is at times sub-professional and the information is often scarce. The pictures are really the only virtue. With such a broad topic the research could have been more encompassing. Many publishers probably aren't willing to invest money into a book with quality pictures concerning an un-popular topic such as primitive and traditional archery so I am glad the book Bows of the World was published in the first place. It is the only one of its kind that I know of and therefore the best. Still, it could be much, much better. Maybe David Gray will return to his side project some day to fill in the blanks so it can actually live up to the claims it makes on the inside cover. The three volumes of The Traditional Bowyer's Bible are very good and worthy on mention here but they are overall more technical and written more with the bowyer in mind than the enthusiast.

Rating:
Summary: Very inspiring book
Review: This is a great book for the bowyer who wishes to be inspired, and the traditional archer who wants an insight into the many different forms of bows having been used throughout the world.
It has lots of good color photos, although only one photo per bow.
The book covers reproductions of traditional bows from all over the world, beginning with prehistoric times. Naturally there are only a few samples from the different continents and ages, and most reproductions are made by people the author knows or have met in USA.
The book does not tell much about the people who used these bows, or how they were shot, rather why they designed and developed them as they did, and how they are made.
I definately recommend this book, especially for the great photos, but you will soon look for other books that go more in depth with a specific area or age. Still, this one is more of a survey, and a great one at that!

Rating:
Summary: Class act
Review: This volume is a most savory survey of the archer's bow, both historical reproductions and aboriginal forms, from every continent around the globe. Though not exhaustive, Gray's review is delicious and complete enough to stimulate anyone's interest in the ancient and primitive-style archery, the archery of natural materials. Though Gray admits to being a fan of cable and fiberglass bows and their shooters, his real love for wood bows is obvious, and this is where he concentrates his deliberations in this book. He devotes his attention to single wood construction, but he also describes composite structures involving horn, sinew, and multiple laminations of exotic woods. His lavish full color photos and the high quality paper add to the charm of this mini-encyclopedia. His writing is most clear and definitive, and his nostalgic mood and 'Earthiest' (after Abbey) philosophy permeate throughout. The book has a feel of sharing to it, of commonality, of sympathy, of shaving off the differences among the world's societies through a most interesting venue. This is a marvelous contribution to the literature of archery. Reading it and gazing at the fine pics will urge even the half-hearted to go grab a carving tool, a knotless piece of hickory and begin carving himself or herself a bow. One may choose to pattern it after designs taken from near every geographical area on earth. As a matter of fact, his photos of "paddle" bows (made after the historical patterns of California coastal tribes) tickled my fancy enough to send me to the basement to attempt one myself. I highly recommend this book to any archer, outdoors aficionado, armchair anthropologist, hobbyist, hunter, lover of nostalgia, and any other earth-first thinker of any stripe.

Rating:
Summary: bows I would like to sell you
Review: unbelievably transparent marketing attempt from Mr Grays archery company.
The book is essentially his internet page in hard copy, plus a couple of extra photos.
The text is two dimensional and the bows featured are solely those sold by the authors company, an utter waste of money and very very dissapointing.
Save yourself the money and just look at his web page , I would write the address but I dont want to encourage you to give this man more easy money.