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

1. THIS IS the book series you are looking for to get a GREAT start in making hand made archery equipment !! Well written and insightful, It has much to add to the foundation of Volume #1 WHAT A BARGAIN - A MUST HAVE SERIES FOR THE BEGINNING BOWYER... SO MUCH HELP FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN CRAFTING ARCHERY EQUIPMENT.



2. this book has a lot of repeat info from he previous verson, but there are some new info also and in my opinion re reading something even re-worded is helpful in remembering was is put out.. no question these guy's know their stuff.



3. (This review pertains to the first three volumes as a whole. I do not own the new 4th volume ... yet.)
   
   The Traditional Bowyer's Bible can be reviewed fairly briefly.
   
   On the pro side:
   
   - The authors are traditional archery experts.
   - The content is wide-ranging, covering longbows, recurves, flatbows, backed bows, composite bows, takedowns, asymmetrical bows, arrows, nocks, fletching, backings, finishing, tools, etc. Virtually every bow type is represented and from every area of the world and from ancient history to the present day.
   - The books contain original material, such as information on hysterisis.
   - The content covers basics to very advanced topics.
   - Though the authors express individual preferences here and there(bow types, woods, etc.), taken as a whole the material is quite neutral and fact-based.
   - Design is emphasized as much as construction, perhaps more so. I'd go further and say the intent of the series is to teach foundational material and definitely not to present simple how-to instructions. I've made bows using these books, but see comments below, too.
   - There is very little throw-away material, here meaning text that preaches to the choir about the virtues of traditional archery.
   
   On the con side:
   
   - The material is topically organized (e.g., design, tillering, woods). While that's terrific for the topic, it isn't the best for the step-by-step how-do-I-make-a-bow reader. You really have to read the bulk of the material to put it together.
   - These may not be the best books for someone just starting out in traditional archery. The authors presume basic knowledge of archery and terminology. A newcomer, unless extraordinarily enthusiastic, will be overwhelmed.
   - There's a lot of line drawing illustrations. I would prefer photos.
   - The multiple volume approach isn't really necessary, given the size of each, drives up the price of the total, and I would like to see the series published in a single volume.
   
   The cons are nits, however. This book series provides an extremely comprehensive view of traditional archery and is a must-have on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the topic.



4. the book seems to be very informative,but it would be better if I had book one which I ordered at the same time if I knew it was going to take from May to July to get book one I would have gone elsewhere to buy.I could rate the book higher if I had book one that book two refers to.I give this 4 stars your service -4.



5. I have only read Volumes 1 & 2 of this set so far. Of the two, Volume 2 is the best. This one actually told me enough to make a bow and bow string to get shooting. Now, if I can find time to get started actually making a bow!

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery.

1. As an absolute beginner to archery, I bought a Recurve Bow, some wooden arrows, THEN this book. Very helpful. Would have been more helpful had I read it before buying my equipment but no big problems.



2. I began the art and practice of traditional archery when I was seven years old. Few endeavors have brought me more pleasure during my lifetime than this pursuit. My first bow was an English Long Bow, made of wood as was my second. As I grew older I eventually "graduated" to the re-curves and it was this bow that I participated in hunting. I gave up hunting years and years ago (more about that later), but my entire emphases has always been on target shooting and woodcraft.
   
   This work, Beginner's Guide to Traditional Archery by Brian J. Sorrells is by far the best book for those just starting out in this art form. Now I will grant you that the best way to learn is from a good teacher, but that is not always possible. This little work fills that gap very nicely. Now keep in mind that this work was not meant for those with experience in the use of the traditional bow; this would include all those who have learned with and shot nothing but the compound bow. Compound bows are an entirely different creature. It is my personal belief that they are the worse thing that could have possible happened to archery, but that is a personal belief and prejudice and if using a compound is gratifying, then I am all for it for those who enjoy such things.
   
   The text and pictures in this book are of the highest quality, very concise and very informative. The author discusses every thing from history to theory to practical use of the various pieces of equipment needed. This work is not a deep work nor was it meant to be. This book gives the newcomer a starting point; a reference block that can and should be built upon. Remember, everyone has to start somewhere and I cannot think of a better tool to start the young (and not so young) beginner.
   
   Now there are quite a number of reasons to practice this art and there are even more reason to have the younger set involved. I am talking traditional archery there, okay?
   
   First is the hunt. I can think of no other form of hunting that forces the hunter to actually learn all that they can about the animal they are attempting to harvest. Not only that but it forces the hunter to be aware of and intimately know what is to be found in the out of doors. I always enjoyed hunting with a long bow because of the small chance of my actually having to kill anything. Truth be told, when I actually wanted to harvest game, I did it with a gun; a simple thing really, especially if you have training that began with traditional archery. To this day I still use all of the skills I learned over the years from the bow, but now of course I use a camera. If it is meat on the table, I can promise you that we can take one of my old British 303s out on opening day and within 45 minutes we can have a deer in the back of the truck; or even two is you want. If we go out on opening day with a traditional bow, chances are we will have nothing for the pot, but we will have gotten to spend eight or more hours in the woods. For me, there is not contest here.
   
   Secondly, there is a very definite Zen like quality about using the traditional bow. Now I am not a Zen Buddhist by any means, but some of the teachings here have a very practical aspect; teachings that can enhance your life. In the journey and path to enlightenment, one of the Zen Arts must be studied and mastered. These include Swordsmanship, Archery, Brush and Ink, The Tea Ceremony or Flower Arranging. Having over the years dealt in each of these area (and I can assure you that I did not master even one of them), I found that archery did indeed bring about serenity and taught control; not only physical but mental. This is a wonderful gift to give to a child.
   
   Third, and probably one of the most important aspects of archery, is that it gets the child (and or adult) away from the T.V., computer, office, desk, house, and on and on. It is exercise (don't laugh...try repeatedly pulling a 50 pound bow for a few hours). Anything to be active and if you can find joy in being active, so much the better.
   
   Forth is the fact that this is a sport/art/hobby/endeavor/ pastime than can be enjoyed starting at a relatively young age and practice for almost your entire life. I still occasionally practice with men and women well into their late 80s.
   
   So, think about it; a traditional sport or art, a wonderful way to study natural history, an unbeatable way to learn to hunt, exercise, relaxation, the out of doors and the thrill of accomplishment! What more could you want.
   
   As I said before, this is an ideal book to get you or your child started one something that can be a very good thing that will last a lifetime.
   
   I do highly recommend this work!
   
   Now, about flower arranging....just kidding.
   
   Don Blankenship
   The Ozarks



3. I saw that this book was recommended by several sites. I bought it as I am just beginning to be interested in traditional archery. The first half is really thin on information. The second half is full of exercises which seem good. I have tried some and they seem to help as I get started.
   
   It will not provide you with information that I was looking for such as definitions. There is, as in any profession or hobby, a lot of jargon, language specific to the hobby. Not explained as well as I wanted.
   
   I thought Shooting The Stick Bow to be much more helpful.



4. Compared to Anthony Camera's "Shooting the Stickbow"; As an archer that has been shooting for over fourty years i find this book not to be particularly informative and of low instrucktional value. Mongo925.



5. I got back into archery a couple of years ago after a 20-year hiatus. I wanted to shoot recurve for the challenge and pure fun of shooting. It's almost impossible to find anyone that shoots "traditional" anymore, so a good book is a must. I bought this after having read some of Brian's articles in Traditional Bowhunter magazine. It was a good quick read that contained some very useful pointers. My shooting really improved after using his method to tune arrows for proper spine. This was the first book that made it easy for me to understand. My only real complaint with the book was that it was too short! It's enough to get you started, but leaves you wanting more.

5 comments about The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 3.

1. This was a very excellent book and I ordered the other 2 vol.
   These also were very very good. I have enjoyed them very much.
   They would be a very good addition to any boyers library.
   Very good prices also.



2. This final volume ( # 3 ) of this series has very useful instructional information concerning bow making tools, take down ( two piece ) bows, stone age bows, stone points ( knapping ), and making arrows. Bow designs from many cultures around the world are examined and explained in detail.
   The tools mentioned range from simple hand tools, such as the wood rasp, to power tools, like the band saw. Power tools are not needed to make these bows, but can save time.
   Properly made arrows are a very important part of archery gear, and this voulme shows how they are made correctly and safely using a variety of woods and fletchings.
   Other chapters explain bow designs such as the asymetrical yumi bow from Japan, the materials for composite bows of Korea, and the hole nocks from some African bows.



3. 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 !



4. The things that I learned in here I am puting into practice, very knowledgeable man and very practiced at what he does, real easey to understand,and I had fun reading it



5. (This review pertains to the first three volumes as a whole. I do not own the new 4th volume ... yet.)
   
   The Traditional Bowyer's Bible can be reviewed fairly briefly.
   
   On the pro side:
   
   - The authors are traditional archery experts.
   - The content is wide-ranging, covering longbows, recurves, flatbows, backed bows, composite bows, takedowns, asymmetrical bows, arrows, nocks, fletching, backings, finishing, tools, etc. Virtually every bow type is represented and from every area of the world and from ancient history to the present day.
   - The books contain original material, such as information on hysterisis.
   - The content covers basics to very advanced topics.
   - Though the authors express individual preferences here and there(bow types, woods, etc.), taken as a whole the material is quite neutral and fact-based.
   - Design is emphasized as much as construction, perhaps more so. I'd go further and say the intent of the series is to teach foundational material and definitely not to present simple how-to instructions. I've made bows using these books, but see comments below, too.
   - There is very little throw-away material, here meaning text that preaches to the choir about the virtues of traditional archery.
   
   On the con side:
   
   - The material is topically organized (e.g., design, tillering, woods). While that's terrific for the topic, it isn't the best for the step-by-step how-do-I-make-a-bow reader. You really have to read the bulk of the material to put it together.
   - These may not be the best books for someone just starting out in traditional archery. The authors presume basic knowledge of archery and terminology. A newcomer, unless extraordinarily enthusiastic, will be overwhelmed.
   - There's a lot of line drawing illustrations. I would prefer photos.
   - The multiple volume approach isn't really necessary, given the size of each, drives up the price of the total, and I would like to see the series published in a single volume.
   
   The cons are nits, however. This book series provides an extremely comprehensive view of traditional archery and is a must-have on the bookshelf of anyone interested in the topic.

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

1. As a boy, I was fortunate enough to see Howard Hill hit a quarter tossed into the air with his trusty bow and arrow. I've been shooting the bow ever since. Byron's book is the best that I have read on explaining the "how" of the art of traditional bow shooting. How to concentrate, how to breath, how to stand, how to hold the bow, how to draw the bow, how to release the arrow, and how to practice are all covered in detail. Mr. Ferguson obviously knows what he is talking about. This is a "must have" for any traditional archer.



2. This is a must read for anyone planning to shoot barebow. For hunters, the section on deer hunting makes this worthwhile.



3. Become the Arrow (On Target Series)
   An excellent and informative book for the archery enthusiast!



4. Very interesting to have insight into Byron's method of shooting. Gives good info on the philosophy of shooting barebow, which will involve lots and lots of practice. One would definitely have to actually shoot a stickbow to better understand how to apply Byron's written methods. He also goes into hunting techniques and tells relative and humorous stories along the way. I want to buy a barebow and learn to shoot it even more so now than before reading this book, and I have a strong feeling you will too!



5. I waited awhile to decide to order this book. I should not have waited. Very informative and fun to read. Byrons methods work ,but you must get out and practice them. A great read for anyone wanting to improve on shooting skills and bow tuning. Book also has great tips for hunting!

5 comments about Precision Bowhunting: A Year-Round Approach To Taking Mature Whitetails.

1. This book walks through the whole year, what you need to be getting done now, what you need to be getting ready to do. Its all here, how, when, and where you should be hunting through out the season. It rehashes some of his other book " bowhunting pressured Whitetails" both are books I would recomend to any bowhunter.



2. This book, without a doubt, is the finest book on deer hunting that I have ever read. As an avid reader, I have read a pile of books on deer hunting, most of which were the same information, recycled over and over again. The techniques and strategies in these books are just not applicable to hunting in my heavily pressured home state of South Carolina.
   This book is full of fresh ideas that have challenged the way I have historically approached bowhunting. I would recommend this book to anyone, bowhunters and gunhunters alike. It is the most HONEST and PRACTICAL book on hunting mature deer that you will ever read. It will help you to rethink the way you hunt and give you more opportunities at big bucks. I cannot say enough good things about this book. If you live in a state or area where there is alot of stiff hunting pressure, you have got to read this book.



3. I can say without a doubt that this will be one of your favorite bowhunting informational books that you will ever buy. I read 6-10 whitetail hunting books per year and this is definitely one of the top two books i have ever read as far as real world hunting tactics and advice goes. This book made me a better hunter. If you follow the advice, you too will see improved sucess in the feild.
   Unlike most other hunting books, Precision Bowhunting is authored for your average Joe hunter. It deals with hunting public lands and ways to capitalize on hunting with other hunters, rather than avoiding crowds altogether. It goes through the an entire yearly process as to what you should be doing at a specific time of season all year long to improve your odds of sucess.
   Gun hunter or bowhunter you will find useful information in this book.
   If you value your time in the woods and whitetail hunting in general, this is the book for you.



4. If youre a serious bowhunter that knows the basics for locating deer, this book will put all the pieces you already know together and you will have a complete grasp of what you should be looking for in your preseason scouting. Great read for anyone who hunts pressured areas; particularly public land. I grew up hunting west Michigan, where the hunting pressure is one of the highest in the country, and I was always able to put deer in my sights, but I feel that if I had read this book 10 years ago, Id probably have a few trophies on the wall by now.
   A few minor complaints about this book though. One, the unrealistic number of stands to prep and have available to rotate to throughout the season. Eberhart says in the book that they prep up to 80 STAND SITES, and the Average Joe who has a family, a full time job, and primarily hunts public land just wont be able to have that many spots set up to hunt. I always tried to get 10 solid public land stand sites, and even that took a lot of effort! Also, not a huge fan of the Ambush Saddle that he swears by. Ive always used a Summit Viper climber and Summit Copperhead portable fixed-position stand that can quickly and quietly be moved from one location to another using a hanging bracket system, and Ive taken deer from both with a bow.
   All in all, great read if you want to finely polish your bowhunting skill and put bucks in front of you!



5. This book has seriously transformed the way I think about pursuing mature whitetail deer. I highly recommend this book to anyone that would like to add a new way of thinking into pursuing mature whitetails. Highly recommended!!!

4 comments about Technical Bowhunting: The Ultimate Guide to Shooting Performance.

1. Very good book. You can tell the writer knows his subject and has learned his craft through trial and error. His approach was the humblest that I have ever read. Most books the writers relish in their knowledge they have. This writer you know he has knowledge without any boasts or bragging. He is very down to earth and has great communication with the reader. It is filled with practical information that will help you as a bowhunter and as an archer. He also credits those he has learned from, which speaks volumes to me. Part of the learning experience is learning from mentors of which he lists the names of the mentors he has learned from which any bowhunter that reads any of the mainline bowhunting magazines will recognize. Great book that I would recommend to those that want practical knowledge of bowhunting and learning more about the weapon they use. Setups,arrows,arrow rests, ect.



2. This book covers it all, and then some. From a novice to 25 yr. bowhunter like myself, its full of great information that will help you in every facet. It is not a one time read. You will be going back to it often for tech tips.



3. this book is a must have. joe bell really hits the nail on the head. with a simple and easy to understand way of writing. this book is not only great for the beginner, but a great help to all the old hands who may be suffering from the one or two form problems. also a great read for the target shooter. two of my friends were not content with just borrowing my copy, after the first two chapters, they bought thier own...



4. I just finished reading "Technical Bowhunting" after hearing about it for the last year. The only regret I have is NOT reading it sooner! It is a tremendous reference and educational piece that you will need to read again and again. From the correct helical, broadhead selection, FOC and tuning, it has it all. Not only does it have the authors input-but also that of many well known bowhunters such as Chuck Adams and Dr. Randy Ulmer. I learned more than I could absorb in one reading and am looking various chapters over again this week. So many questions I have had over the years that I could never find straight answers to where answered after reading this book. I now have more confidence in my selections and the set-ups I choose.
   
   You won't regret buying this book!

5 comments about The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 4.

1. But it's still a great addition. The techniques in this volume are for the very advanced bowyers, but are still useful for beginner/intermediate bowyers to know.



2. Excellent product and response time by amazon, as usual!! This series of books I would highly recommend to anyone interested in archery.
   Thanks



3. The entire series of the Bowyer's Bible is exactly that, the bible for bowyers. They are fantastic books for any traditional archer. The archer will read them 4 or 5 times at least.



4. Bought for my husband for his Birthday. He likes the books. I wish they were hardbacked



5. I looked forward to reading these books each evening after work. They are technical yet informative and down to earth.

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

1. Seems like a very useful book. This is packed with so much info I dont know if I can find the time to absorb it!



2. Lots of information on traditional archery. Many types of bows and how to make a traditional bow.



3. This book is full of information that will help anyone who is trying their hand at bow building and arrow making. Plenty of wit & wisdom too. I have gone back to it many times to review information & gain insight.



4. I only take time to rate things that are either very good or very bad and in this case, it was excellent. This book is packed with basics so that anyone can learn how to build a bow yet it has enough science to explain the technical details. Traditional Bow making was close to becoming a lost art, but with this book and its subsequent volumes, it will be preserved for many generations to come.
   
   I'm 3/4th of the way through Volume Two and just ordered Volume Three. I highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys hunting, archery, outdoor survival or just a bit of history.



5. I wanted to know how to have sex with chickens and this book didn't explain. Very disappointing.

5 comments about Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff.

1. I second Stilt's review, the only difference being that I was lucky enough not to have any money or insurance so I couldn't afford to get surgery and rehab. Instead I bought Johnson's book and 6 months or so later, my shoulder was 98% healed!!
   I can say, without exaggeration, that Johnson gave me my life back! As anyone with a serious rotator cuff injury knows, it is more than a just a shoulder problem. Your whole life starts to go downhill. You can't sleep, takes an hour to get dressed or undressed, have a hard time showering, shaving, or brushing your teeth, hell, I used to have to pick up my arm to shake someone's hand!



2. This is an excellent book. I was 55 and physically active (weights and running) when I experienced almost spontaneously pain (quite bothersome) in the arm when reaching. Using this book, the stretching and especially weight training exercises recommended were very helpful. My arm has returned to 98.75% of normal. Kudos to the author.



3. I bought this book in the hopes of avoiding the cost$ of physical therapy. I followed the book to a T and my pain is mostly gone. It's not overnight, the progress is gradual.
   
   The first thing I really noticed was that I didn't have pain getting dressed. This happened about a week or two into it.
   
   After about three weeks, I experienced less pain during my everyday movements. Eventually, I was able to get back to physical activity. It's been about 3 months now and I'm doing great.
   
   I had a glitch recently when I went swimming and experienced pain - probably b/c a swimming stroke isn't an activity I've done since last summer. I'm using the techniques I learned from the book to try and exercise the muscles that I use swimming.
   
   You do have to keep up the exercises in order to not slip back into tendonitis or whatever's bugging you. I learned this when I got a nasty cold for a couple of weeks. But it doesn't take long at all. If you just want pain relief, you can get it in about 10-15 minutes twice a week. If you want to be physically active - 30 minutes 2-3 times a week. Easy to do while just watching TV.
   
   (And no, I'm not related to the author despite our same last name :)



4. I had a shoulder problem that my primary doc x-rayed and diagnosed as arthritis. I got this book a month later to strengthen my shoulder but found that in doing the stretches and exercises that more must be wrong. My lack of strength and ability on the affected shoulder is dramatic (goofy me was just struggling along) Sure enough, a second opinion physician has ordered an MRI and orthopedic consult. I then got my original x-rays to take to the consult and guess what--the radiologist diagnosed a probable rotator cuff tear that my physician hadn't seen and obviously didn't look at the radiology report. Good point to always get the radiology results of x-rays from the lab because the doctor may not read the later radiology reports and the radiologist may see more(or less)than what he/she did. Watch out for yourself. I now request all lab and x-ray results to keep in my own files. If something seems abnormal I can then ask the physician, since many physician offices just shove them into your chart without reviewing them!



5. For starters, I had not one but two injured shoulders. Each was injured in a different way, and the injuries affected different parts of the rotator cuff. The first injury had my right shoulder sub-optimal for over a year. After the second injury (from a bike accident), I was pretty close to being incapacitated. Things like...how shall I say this...using toilet paper...were agonizing.
   
   So, I bought the book. In 6 weeks, I was much improved. Three months later, and I am fully functional, lifting more weights in the gym than ever, not even aware of having been injured. I've had this book make the rounds with 2 of my work colleagues, who are much better for it. I've built up my shoulders to the point that future injury is much less likely.
   
   What's great about this book? It could be entitled, "Shoulder injuries for dummies." It is written at about a 3rd grade reading comprehension level. To me, that's a good thing, and a credit to the author to boil down the complexities of the rotator cuff to where everyone can understand it. And in fact, you don't even really need to understand what's wrong; all you need to do is the exercises. I think that the explanations are just to convince you that the exercises work, so that you will get on with doing them.
   
   As for the exercises, they are ridiculously easy. I mean, two minutes per day, per shoulder (in my case, two shoulders, 4 minutes). The exercises (for building muscle and flexibility) will not cause you pain; in fact, if you are feeling pain, you need to back off to the easier versions. The exercises are simple, require no special equipment, and only take up a couple of pages in an already short book.
   
   Is it worth the money? Consider the time you spend suffering and going to physio (if you can afford it) and filling out insurance forms (if you have insurance). Yes, it is worth it. I only wish that more in the medical profession would put patients over profits. Sometimes we need doctors, but often we can treat ourselves with the right knowledge. For rotator cuff injuries, this book is the knowledge you need.

5 comments about Zen in the Art of Archery.

1. I have just re-read Zen and the Art of Archery, by Eugen Herrigel.
   
   I was a philosophy student in my undergraduate days, and my primary focus was on Zen, so I had underestimated that little volume in my youth; it was too short, and too easy to read. And the author didn't make the process sound exotic enough for my arrogant youthful tastes.
   
   But now, Zen and the Art of Archery talks to me through a megaphone. The book recounts the experiences of a German philosophy professor who studied Kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) for several years. He undertook the study to develop his understanding of Zen Buddhism.
   
   As you read the book, you will see that the concepts and practice of traditional Japanese martial arts have leaked into popular U.S. culture. See Karate Kid and Star Wars, for example.
   
   And there's nothing wrong with that.
   
   But when you read this book, you get to see one of the real-world prototypes of Mr. Miyagi and Yoda.
   
   So read it, and thank me later. But don't think you're going to learn to fire arrows. This isn't an instruction manual.



2. I was left with the distinct feeling of having just completed a long journey after finishing this 80 page book. I have been practicing (traditional) western archery for over a year now and I completely agree with many of the tenets of archery that Master Kenzo Awa spoke of. I took up archery because I was interested in the idea of letting the arrow go versus the common mentality of shooting the arrow at the target and this book reiterates that kind of thinking.
   
   I have never undertaken Kyudo so I cannot speak to the accuracy of what was written, but I do know that many of things written by Herrigel, such as breathing exercises and being surprised when you release the arrow, can applied to western archery. I found the author's prattling and difficulties a bit irritating but it is understandable due to Kyudo's complexity. However, I was left skeptical with the author's understanding of "zen", and while he mentioned this idea of the "Great Doctrine" (of archery), I could not find his definition anywhere.
   
   At the end of this text there are a few pages dedicated to archery's relationship to swordsmanship which I understand but felt it was incongruous with the overall feeling of the rest of the book.



3. I was assigned to read this book for an oboe studio seminar course. I had never read anything zen-ish before, and mostly discounted my professor's decision to include Zen in the Art of Archery. But oh, how I'm glad she did! This book is an easy read and a true piece of inspiration. I highly, highly recommend it.



4. This is a very honest book about the experiences of the author. It has a German sensibility that is quite different from the American sense and for me this made it even more interesting. The reader needs to make an effort to be able to put himself in the author's place. If you can't do this the book has little to recommend it. If you can this book will deliver more value in the short time it takes to read this thin work than many a mighty tome one ponders over for weeks on end.



5. Professor Eugen Herrigel, a German-born professor of philosophy, taught at Tokyo University during the interwar period. During his stay in Japan he became fascinated by Zen Buddhism, then little known in the West, and undertook to study the art of archery with Bowmaster Awa Kenzo, who taught archery not as a technical skill but as a form of meditation practice.
   
   I have read that Kenzo was not a Zen teacher and that this book misrepresents Zen, but I respectfully disagree. Zen has permeated the Japanese fine arts for centuries, and Kenzo's lessons express Zen, regardless of his formal status in the Zen community. Others have criticized Herrigel for coming at Zen obliquely, through Kyudo (the art of archery); again, I respectfully disagree. Zen is not just a segregated "practice" of chants, incense and sitting meditation, it is living life itself, fully. Hence, cooking, cleaning, eating, archery, or even motorcycle maintenance can be Zen practice if done with mindfulness.
   
   Herrigel was writing long before any idea of "Zen" entered into the general Occidental mindset. Indeed, Herrigel's book title has inspired hundreds of copycat "Zen in the Art of . . .", "Zen and the Art of . . .", "The Zen of . . .", and "The Art of Zen in . . ." titles.
   
   While there were other Western (and transplanted Eastern) exponents of Zen in 1948 when Herrigel's book appeared, Herrigel's book became the first "Zen bestseller".
   
   Much of this short (90 page) book discusses the No-Mind necessary to successful mastery of any art. Since Herrigel is attempting to express what is essentially inexpressible, the book's language (in English translation) seems both esoteric and arcane in its utter simplicity.
   
   For all its brevity, this is a dense book, and an interested reader will return to it many times over many years.