5 comments about Become the Arrow (On Target Series).

1. The book was just too short, without enough information. If you cut out the part on hunting, the biography (both are parts I"m not really interested in as a 3-D target shooter), their wasn't a great deal left. Good information on tuning and the author's technique I guess, but he could have added a lot more to clarify. It's like the book didn't have an editor.



2. This book is a quick read which can help you improve your archery skills. Having read everything I can find when it comes to shooting traditional equipment, Byron does a better job than most describing his technique. Actually practicing and mastering a "new" method of shooting is a completely different subject. The book also contains tips on hunting as well as several accounts from Byron's hunting and exhibition shooting career.



3. Best archery book I have read. My shooting has improved so much that I recommend 'Become the Arrow' to anyone starting to hunt with traditional archery equipment.



4. like most instructional books, "become the arrow" will not answer every question you might have. i agree will the other reviewers who said there is a lot of biographical info that doesn't help the beginner much. what this book does well, however, is explain - with a lot of illustrations - proper form for the traditional archer. how you should hold the bow, what your sight picture should be, and how to adjust for distance shooting are all covered in detail. my only complaint, other than the "filler" material, would be that he doesn't say much about equipment, especially arrows, which as he describes his method he says is the most important piece of equipment. i would like to see more info and recommendations on different weights, spines and fine tuning arrow selection. "traditional archery", by brian sorrells does a better job explaining arrow selection, and other equipment, but doesn't explain technique as well. these two books together, can answer almost every question a beginner might have.



5. This is good book to learn a bit more if you do first steps in traditional archery. It is interesting to read, and gives very clear step - by step advices.

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery.

1. I'm a new person to archery and this book was just perfect. It had photo's and detailed everything I need to learn as well as what I needed to purchase. I would recommend it to anyone who's just starting out. Very good and easy to read!



2. This book packs essential information into a small, readable package. I agree with L Day's review, but don't understand why Day only gave it two stars!



3. This book provides some very useful information that will help you get started in traditional archery the right way, while avoiding common mistakes that could end an excellent pastime prematurely.
   Mr. Thomas' writing style is very easy to read and comprehend. He is quite skillful at making the various issues addressed in this book understandable.
   I would recommend this book to anyone getting into or thinking of getting into traditional archery.



4. In 1943 when I bought my first bow, I had a teacher that taught me basics. I moved from a yew long bow to recurves in the late 1950's and then archery went to compound bows, and to my taste, archery lost at least some of its tradition. My 52 year old son decided he wanted to learn again. I gave hime this book and a bow. For beginners it is a good place to start.



5. This book is an easy read, about three hours from front to cover in a single sitting. The descriptions are easy to understand and appropriately simple; it makes sense at the reading, and even more sense at the range. I purchased this book in preparation to introducing my son to traditional archery while on Vacation in Montana. We were fortunate enough to not only find an extremely helpful archery store, but one of their customers agreed to coach my son for about an hour on the range. Everything he shared with my son was in the book. When we left the store Zane Smith recommended next training steps, again in this book.
   
   This is not an advanced concepts book, though the bow tuning of arrows seems advanced to me, but hey I'm a rookie, right? In a few weeks time my son should be in position to start working on the accuracy exercises in this text, and I am very much looking forward to see how they improve his accuracy as at 10yrds his arrows are already nicely bunched, just not in the center of the target.
   
   I would highly recommend this as an introductory text to traditional bow hunting for anyone interested in taking up this fun and challenging sport. This book has already kept a supportive father from spoiling his son's experience.

5 comments about Bowhunting Equipment & Skills: Learn From the Experts at Bowhunter Magazine (The Complete Hunter).

1. i cant say i have any bow hunting skill whatsoever but this book has taught my what to look for in equipment and to practice my posture. i recomend this for people looking for a vague idea on equipment to buy, but not for the specifics.



2. EVERYTHING you always wanted to know about Bow Hunting but were too intimidated to ask. Being a woman just picking up the sport of bow hunting at age 37 I would walk into sporting goods and archery stores and be overwhelmed by the amount of information I needed to know before I ever purchased a bow. This book helped me know what equipment I needed and what equipment was just smoke and mirrors. It also prepared me for "target panic" and explained in detail about every other facet that I could have ever thought of and even some I didn't consider. Great for anyone just picking up the sport.



3. I very much enjoyed this book. It was a great refresher since I haven't shot a bow in quite a few years. It also had lots of great information I didn't know, such as paper tuning, in depth information on arrows and arrow selection. I highly recommend this book.



4. This book is great for highlighting many aspects of archery and providing information that is useful for a beginner and experienced archer. It is a nice text that compiles information that would be useful to have as a reference. There are tuning methods, suggestions for shooting form, tips on how to fix your bow and add accessories. A very solid book with plenty of pictures for any archery fan.



5. I have shot a bare bow nearly all my life. When I finally decided to buy a new bow with all the accessories, I wasn't sure where to start and how to use all the new stuff. This book was excellent in helping me become familiar with my new bow. The pictures are great and the text very educational. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn or re-learn about the bow and arrow.

2 comments about Archery Fundamentals (Sports Fundamentals Series).

1. I learned the basics of archery. It was very helpful in setting up a program.



2. Good basic book explaining the essentials in stance, bow handeling and marksmanship +, helped this beginner a lot and i would reccomend it for anyone who has , or is learning the sport on their own.

5 comments about The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 2.

1. This volume is very explicative and not lost any details of his points. All the volumes makes a great help, and even a single powerfull source of information, to anyone who want to make the finest traditional bows, i recomend !



2. If someone need to know all regarding archery and bow-making has to buy all these 3 volumes. Here you can find a huge quantity of informations and suggestions regarding it.
   The books are also improved with a lot of imagines.
   Andreas from Italy



3. Great book this has all of the details of making a good bow and more. I am very pleased with its content and recomend all three volumes.



4. This book is written by several experts and is essentially a compilation of individual articles, each of which is outstanding in the detail of the direction given. However, for a person seeking to make a particular bow, all 3 books of the series are needed and there is not an orderly progression. Just count on buying all three, reading them all, making decisions based on what you've learned, and then picking chapters to help you as you go along.



5. This book isn't just about making bows. It has a great section on making bow strings from primative materials or modern ones. Includes design of stings, types, features. Great to learn to make a string for that bow you just made.

5 comments about The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1.

1. The Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1
   by Numerous contributors
   A collection of craftsmen come together to demonstrate the building and dynamics of different woods into different types of bows. There are three books in the series Vols.: l, ll and lll they cover all aspects of wooden archery equipment from yew bows to flint arrow tips. Flat bows, decorations, strings and quivers etc. Fine archery to primitive.



2. This volume is very explicative and not lost any details of his points. All the volumes makes a great help, and even a single powerfull source of information, to anyone who want to make the finest traditional bows, i recomend !



3. A great intro to making wooden bows. Covers all the basics, wood, design, cutting, tillering. I found the section on bow design particularly interesting. Intuition is totally wrong about what gives the most arrow speed. A great book.



4. Actually this is the third set of these books I have bought... I keep giving mine to others who are interested in bow making. This volume in particular is excellent for someone starting out.



5. OK, so I'm itching to get into building my own bows. Step 1, head down to the local bookstore and get this book--I mean, do any kind of search on the subject, and it's the first thing you always find. And now, I've read it. And you know what? I'm even more confused than i was when i started.
   
   Where should i even begin to complain about this $23 I will never get back? Well, let's start at jump street...The first and most glaring problem is, this is NOT an instructional book for the aspiring traditional bowyer, as I thought it might be--and as the back cover led me to believe. Rather, it is more of a sourcebook for those who already have a pretty strong working understanding of how to build bows. This is the book you ought to buy if you've already got a handful of bows under your belt; bows of different types and styles. I could imagine some bearded old Jim Bridger type sitting in his den, reading and re-reading it, with a hundred different bookmarks in it, and about 10 sentences highlighted on every page.
   
   But if you are trying to learn how to build your own bow, and you don't know too much about it--by all means, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE. This book uses shop talk about every other sentence, and from page 1, nobody ever bothers to actually define what all this shop-talk actually means. You kind of have to just try and infer from the context very crucial central concepts--like which side of the bow is the back, and which is the belly...or what string follow is, or about a million other things. Case in point, there is a section in the chapter on bow construction (chapter 1) where the author describes a "standard wood bending test." He explains how to put a standardized staff of wood in this little device to test its flexibility characteristics--they even show a picture of the little device (which you are to build yourself for this purpose)--but he NEVER ACTUALLY EXPLAINS HOW to build the device. G
   
   All I'm left with, after reading this junk, is the hope that someday, after i read a few better books on the subject, and build a dozen or so bows of my own--well someday this book may be handy. As for now, if the power goes out and i need something to burn for heat, this is it. I just sit and scratch my head as i leaf through the pages, thinking, Oh that might make sense, if i knew what this word meant. Or, wow, I know what tillering is. I wish this damn piece of crap called THE BOWYER'S BIBLE actually detailed the process, such that i might actually be able to follow some step by step instructions on how to do so!
   
   I just wonder who edited this book? How does a professional editor not realize that this book creates more questions than it provides answers?
   
   Yikes.
   
   Anyway, not to keep Amazon from getting any new business--if you know how to build a bow, and you want to see some interesting pictures of like 50 different kinds of Northwest Indian patterns you can paint onto your work--or if you feel like looking at pictures of bows some guy made out of junk wood, or reeds, or broken arrows, well this is the book for you!
   
   As for me, the search continues.

No comments about The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 4 (Traditional Bowyer's Bible).

5 comments about Cartridges of the World (11th Edition).

1. Frank Barnes was one of the great old timers that we have lost. A gentleman of seemingly infinite knowledge concerning ammunition and firearms. Much like his late friend John T. Amber, he willingly shared it with all.
   
   For much of the life of this book I would have easily given it five stars. Indeed if you have never read this book, and have more than a passing interest in cartridges, it still rates five stars. However I have been collecting and shooting guns for over fifty years, and have picked up a few prejudices along the way that color my judgment of the current work (11th ED.).
   
   My main gripe is that the publishing company seems to be trying to turn this into their cash cow by printing new editions in such short order that they actually show little or nothing new.
   
   The entire "Proprietary Cartridges" chapter is another problem. The chapter seems to be little more than an advertisement for JDJ/SSK Industries, Lazzeroni, A-Square, and several other minor players. What makes a cartridge "Proprietary" seems to change from cartridge to cartridge. Indeed some cartridges listed as "Current" would seem to be "Proprietary" and vice versa. Better to scrap this entire advertisement er... chapter, and put the whole mess under "Wildcats" and quit playing at semantics.
   
   With all of the various Short Magnums and Super Short Magnums that have been introduced in the last ten years we seem to be once again in an era of reinventing the ammunition wheel. Whether any of these new cartridges will stick is still up in the air. You would think that this amount of change in the civilian market would spur any number of interesting articles in a publication such as this. Wrong. Instead we learn about the needle gun. Interesting, but hardly timely.
   
   I suspect this publication will continue to flounder as long as the current set up exists. Hopefully someone will adopt the concept as their baby and completely rewrite and edit it closely. This is what it deserves, and what Frank would have wanted as well.



2. A lot of good information but the author seems to be behind in the modern day cartridges. Russ Haydon of the Woodchuck Den has really brought the 20 cal. into public view. With the several 20 cals. out there the author mentioned the 204 Ruger (an outstanding round), but very little else in that caliber.



3. EXCELLENT BOOK FOR ALL SHOOTERS, FROM THE 22CAL. ON UP !! NOW I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY 9.3X57 AND THE 30/06 CARTRIDGE.



4. One of the most comprehensive sources of information about cartridges available. A MUST have for you library of firearms information.
   
   Steve Adams
   AdamsQuailHunter on GunBroker and Ancientguns Forums



5. This book has proven to be a great book for identifing cartridges and just learning about some of the not so common rounds out there. It is a very complete book covering black powder cartridges to modern. Each cartridge in the book has a little description and some history and some even have the dimensions of the round. Interesting reading for researching or pleasure.

5 comments about Zen in the Art of Archery.

1. This book had a real influence on my early spiritual development. I read it when I was a teenager; the impression I was left with was one of discipline, self-mastery, and the difficulty of the art of archery. I loved the author's earnestness and sincerity. For some time, I shot my own bow with what I took to be the spirit of the Zen approach. I wished I could travel to Japan and learn from a master.
   
   From where I sit now, I'd have to acknowledge that this book is more a description or a memoir, rather than an actual guide. That is, for one determined to walk the spiritual path, this book will be more an inspiration than a manual. For some, that may lead to frustration.



2. there's an old adage in the acting world..'don't give a performance, let the performance give you'..so what does that have to do with this book? well, I read this wonderful book a few years back when I was studying acting in NYC and I really worked hard at incorporating some Zen technique into my acting process..it wasn't easy..but I stuck with it and I feel as if I reached a different level consciousness and ability with my craft. This book is a wonderful teacher for the ways of Zen and incorporating those lessons into real life events not just archery.



3. For me this book is first and foremost about Zen. Students of Japanese archery can come to it to take their craft to another level but for me the archery is just a mantle for the teachings to sit on. I've been studying Zen for ten years or so, and have read many great works on the subject. This book was a gentle reminder, ushering me back onto the path. It's wisdom can be applied to almost anything. For a more in depth look at some of the discussions in this book, see Suzuki's Zen and Japanese Culture.
   
   One reviewer, with whom I disagree, says that this book is not a valid source of Zen because the master archer in the book had never "studied" Zen. I think he came in touch with the Zen Mind through his art. The Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng had never "studied" Zen either and came by his enlightenment through living life and carrying fire wood. "Studying" Zen, in terms of following the rituals of an institution, can be formative but is not necessary. Zenmind existed long before the Zen religion.
   
   So whether you're studying Japanese Archery or looking to deepen your awareness of your own art (I study painting, music and Tai Chi), this book can help if you're ready for it.



4. This is not a book on kyudo. As Earl Hartman says in another review, Herrigel did have little contact with kyudo in Japan (3-4 years). This book could be about many interesting things (zen, misticism, ...), but I don't know of them. But it's not a book on Kyudo. It seems more a book on Herrigel himself.
   I don't says this is the worst book someone can read if is interested on kyudo. Last years saw apearing one or two terrible book's with kyudo in title.
   Should be read with precaution and specially doesn't substitute pratice and guidance from a teacher or a master. Many persons come to kyudo allready knowing this book but after a few sessions they give up. and many of them continue to claim that they know about kyudo only by reading this book.



5. This is the famous little book that Minor White advised his pupils to read. It's an account by German professor Eugen Herrigel of several years of archery lessons with a Japanese archer in the 1950s. My review is written with photography in mind, though the principles discussed in the book can be applied to many arts.
   
   If you have an interest in photography, should you read it?
   
   Here are a few quotes from this little book in which I have taken the liberty of replacing archery lingo with photography lingo:
   
   1. "...fundamentally the [photographer] aims at himself and may even succeed in hitting himself."
   
   2. "Do you know why you cannot wait for the shot and why you get out of breath before it has come? The right shot at the right moment does not come because you do not let go of yourself. You do no wait for fulfilment, but brace yourself for failure."
   
   3. "If [the photographer] is to fit himself self-effacingly into the creative process, the practice of the art must have the way smoothed for it. For if, in his self-immersion, he saw himself faced with a situation into which he could not leap instinctively, he would first have to bring it into consciousness."
   
   If these ideas interest you, then this book is for you. It is a pleasing and thought-provoking little book, written in a conversational manner lacking the overcomplicated lingo and "isms" of most philosophical and spiritual texts.

5 comments about Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff.

1. I found Jim Johnson's book to contain an amazing amount of information in a relatively short read. There are several very good reviews that detail what he covers in this book so I'll stick to points not covered by the other reviews.
   
   First, yes, it is a small book. This is actually a bonus because he covers the pertinant material thoroughly but keeps the book to a size easily read in one sitting. This is important when you are looking for answers and not a lengthy read. I found illustrations and the text were all useful - there is no filler or fluff in this book.
   
   Second - the stretches and exercises are explained in detail so you can be comfortable with the knowledge you are doing it right. So, as you follow one of the 3 programs laid out, you can refer back to the detailed descriptions and illustration as needed. If you are a picture person and not a verbal person, this is priceless to have on hand.
   
   Third - the information on how to distinguish the different types of injuries and how to approach rehabilitation gave me insight to what was going on with my own injury that no professional I had taken this problem to have ever bothered to explain. Again, illustrations were to the point and provided clarity that words can't always deliver.
   
   Last, I have sought medical advice with my shoulder problems off and on for years yet this book gave me more information in a 30 minute read than I had gotten in any consultation. This book is priced around $30 retail and that is far less than a doctor or physio visit.
   
   Note that I am *NOT* saying to skip seeking medical advice, I am saying that this book gives you a ready reference to supplement your knowledge and to keep on hand while treating your injury. If you are like me, the shoulder problems you have will quite possibly reoccur as time goes by and you either quit doing the exercises and revert to bad habits or if you find a new way to injure yourself. So, having this book handy for reference is far more economical the returning to the doctor over and over again.



2. Just the information needed to help you and not more! That's "Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff." Johnson writes clearly for the non-medical-professional, so you'll understand his message easily and get started right away (today).
   
   About six months ago, I fell. A perfect four-point landing, I thought at the time, but it turned out to be more, much more. Within a month I began having trouble pulling a shirt on over my head. Then shoulder and arm pain settled in full time.
   
   I decided to forego conventional medical treatment (for example, shots and surgery), and the pain continued. In fact, it not only continued, but grew so much worse that I considered revising my decision about the shots. However, finding this book and reading the glowing recommendations for it, I decided giving managing the problem on my own one last try.
   
   Of course, getting the book did not solve the problem by itself. I had to use the information to stretch and exercise. So I did, and, sure enough, after a couple of weeks I saw both improved range of motion and less pain.
   
   The stretches and exercises are not necessarily pleasant, but the results make it worth the effort.
   
   If you have rotator cuff pain, get this book. Regardless of whether you decide on conventional solutions to the problem, you'll need the stretches and exercises to regain full range of motion. Stick with the program. It works!
   
   Highly recommended.



3. After two weeks of following the exercises in this book, I made more progress than six weeks of PT. I like this book because not only does the author explain what to do, he also explains WHY.



4. I was very impressed with this book as soon as I thumbed through it. The first section has diagrams and definitions of the shoulder. The anatomy and physiology are explained in grade school terms. (this is very helpful to people that are in so much pain that they can't think straight)
   
   I have just had rotator cuff surgery and have been through physical therapy several times for rotator cuff problems. The exercises are identical to some of the exercises that the physical therapists teach us.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone with rotator cuff problems, however, if your symptoms are not improving you will need to get an MRI to determine if you have tears or bone spurs.



5. I've had rotator cuff problems with both shoulders. The problem is increased by bursitis and other issues. So I was grateful to get the useful information in this book.
   
   The book is based on fact, not opinion. The author first gives you a description of the shoulder and the rotator cuff and its relationship to the muscle and tendons and bones.
   
   Then you're given stretches and exercises to do in relationship to how much pain and lack of mobility you have at the time you start the program. It's comforting to know that you are empowered to make yourself better and to rehabilitate yourself. And this book definitely gives you that ability.
   
   I noticed that there was one or two wonderful stretches that were not included in the book. But the ones included work. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever suffered shoulder problems or anyone who lifts weights or works out. It helps prevent as well as heal shoulder pain and mobility problems.
   
   - Susanna K. Hutcheson