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.

5 comments about Wild Men, Wild Alaska: Finding What Lies Beyond the Limits.

1. For guys or gals who like hunting and fishing and outdoor adventure this is a must read. I finished it in two sittings, couldn't put it down.



2. Rocky's book was an excellent read. After having fished two times in the wilds of Alaska in the past few years, I found the stories to be an exciting look into the last frontier that is Alaska. It is easy to become part of the story and to place yourself in Rocky's place. Fortunately, I did not have to be faced with the real dangers, reading about them was enough. Alaska is the last of our American frontiers. If you can't get there to see and experience it for yourself, then by all means read this book!! It will give you a taste of the wilderness life in Alaska and let you experience the wild without the streetlights and traffic that too often become our life in the "lower 48." Do yourself a favor and get this book.



3. I must say, from the perspective of someone who has never experienced the Alaskan wilderness firsthand Wild Men Wild Alaska does an amazing job of painting the beauty and nostalgia for it's readers. This is definitely one of those books that you just can't put down, highly recommended!



4. I found this book to be refreshing, honest, creative, vulnerable and challenging. Even if you're not an outdoorsman par excellance like the author, his style draws you into the great adventures of Alaska. I not only appreciated the raw realities of hunting expeditions, but also the tender realities that were revealed in the partnership Rocky has with his wife, Sharon. Here's a good read. Enjoy!!!



5. I picked up this book at the recommendation of a friend. I could not put it down. It tells one hair raising, exciting, interesting, and amusing Alaskan adventure story after another. I especially loved the story of President Bush tweaking the big Austrians and their star fishing guide with one amazing catch after another.
   This book is much more than a collection of hunting and fishing stories though --it is the story of a passionate man, with the support of a long suffering, loving wife pursuing his calling with everything God has given him. This book captures the pure fun of living life to the fullest and bringing others along to share in the experience. It is obvious that the great delight of the author is to have others experience the joys of the Alaskan wilderness with him. This book is written in a way that allows many of us to vicariously share in the fun at a safe distance from grizzly bears and near fatal plane wrecks and boat crashes.

5 comments about Ammo & Ballistics 3, Third Edition : For Hunters, Shooters, and Collectors, Completely Updated.

1. Nice book if you are not shooting some of the old military weapons such as the 303 British,30-40 Kreg, 6.5-55 Swedish round,or any MM type round.



2. This book gives you insight into your cartridges ballistics that will help if you hand load, or just want to know.



3. This book is the best available on the various ballistics of almost every caliber that is made.It is laid out where you can find and use the info in the book.Recommended to anyone who needs to know what their ammo is supposed to do from 0 to 500 yards.



4. Bob Forker has done a unbelievable amount of work to put this book together. Very helpful to me as a reloader. Gives me many ideas about how a particular load can be expected to perform at various ranges. Author's Notes in the front are FULL of Basic answers to questions we all have as reloaders. Highly recommended!



5. First off the book is well written and easy to read, covering all sorts of load data on MOST modern cartridges. However, the main part where this book lacks is that it has a total focus on hunting, and so it leaves out a lot of military calibers. The calibers I did not see in here are:
   7.62x54 Russian
   6.5 Grendel
   5.45 Soviet
   .50 BMG
   .408 Chay-Tac
   5.7x28
   9mm, .40, .45, etc. in carbine data
   
   It would also be nice if the book had a description of different bullet types, with their internal and external ballistic attributes
   
   So I would recommend this book, but know that it leaves out quite a few modern military calibers.

5 comments about If You Didn't Bring Jerky, What Did I Just Eat?: Misadventures in Hunting, Fishing, and the Wilds of Suburbia.

1. It's been a long time since a book brought tears of laughter to my eyes but Bill's book did just that. He is an example of all of us, if we would be honest enough to admit it that is.
   When I read about his bowhunting in bedroom slippers it really hit home, I made it to the driveway once wearing mine.
   I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a laugh, but be prepared to read it once you begin you will not want to put it down. The only sad part about my experience was when the book came to an end; I sure hope Bill has another in the works.



2. A great book. Very well written. I teach journalism and English and use examples from this book often. Poetic, poignant, and just plain fun.



3. I have been reading Bill Heavey's column in Field and Stream for years, and he has never failed to entertain me. His book has not disappointed me, it is packed with the same brand of tongue-in-cheek humor. If you are an outdoorsman, you willl definately relate to Heavey's soul baring escapades. I highly recommend this book



4. I'm serious, I made a mental note of the only laugh in the book. In an introduction it is said Pat Mcmanus goes for the belly laugh while this author goes for a chuckle. Chuckle is apprently a codeword for humourless. The author goes into more tecnical details about hunting and fishing gadgets than Pat does so if you like reading about junk to carry on a hunt this will be a plus. But if your are looking for a humorous take on the outdoors look elsewhere.



5. Stumbled across this after reading one Bill's columns in Field & Stream & having a friend tell me he had a book. Have been reading a story or two each day...makes a great bathroom book. My favorite is the one I read yesterday about Bill taking his preschool age daughter "hunting" (helping him scout for deer sign) and then coming home & watching big buck videos together. Kind of reminded me of myself when I was little. All in all it's a great book for anyone who loves the outdoor lifestyle.

5 comments about Shooter's Bible - 99th Edition.

1. Stoeger Books is the premier publisher of reference books on rifles and pistols. First published in 1924, and now in it's newly revised and expanded 99th edition, Stoeger Books "Shooter's Bible" continues to be the preferred and comprehensive firearms reference guide covering new products, specifications, and prices on thousands of firearms and related equipment. In addition to informed and informative feature articles, this edition of "Shooter's Bible' covers handguns, rifles, shotguns, black powder, sights and scopes, ammunition, ballistics, and reloading. Superbly organized and profusely illustrated throughout, "Shooter's Bible" continues to be an essential, core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library firearms reference collections. Also very highly recommended from Stoeger Books for firearms reference collections is the new 30th edition of their "Gun Trader's Guide" (9780883173442, $24.95).



2. I purchased this for my dad for Christmas. I have gotten one for him every Christmas for the last 8 years. He is an avid gun collector and enjoys reading this book yearly to see how gun values change. He and I both think this is a great book for anyone who likes guns.



3. This edition is useless. It does not contain gun values as previous editions, particularly on used guns. Many guns are not included in this issue.



4. I obtained this gun book for a Christmas present and it was a big hit. My husband used the book to help price guns for himself and before I knew it, several of his friends were calling and asking for information that was in the book for their own use.



5. Bible says "There's a time for living, a time for dying and... a time for killing". Three truths Western society has forgotten or almost. Shooter's Bible isn't The Bible, but is good, possibly the most exhaustive book or catalog in his genre.

5 comments about Breaking Clays.

1. I can warmly recommend this book both for the novice and some more experienced trap clay sporter. A lot of illustrations with easy text, a very logical approach to major techniques. In all a very good info and "inspiration" source.



2. Lots of good tips, but especially for anyone who wanted to learn about all the shotgun sports. Another recommended learning source is Leon Measures - "Shoot where you Look" in DVD and Bill McGuire's - "Focus and Fire" DVD.



3. I've been shooting for 4 years now after taking 15 years off. This book has a seemingly endless amount of great, technical advice and tips. Diagrams especially helpful. I will re-read it over and over again as I try to become a better shot. Great buy, great book. Curt L.



4. The book explains in easy to understand detail what I need to do and what I need to avoid. the rest is up to me.
   
   Frank
   Bronx



5. I bought this book for my nephew who shoots clay's and he said he loved the book and it was very informative.

5 comments about Death in the Long Grass.

1. PHC is a spinner of hair raising yarns. He is quite a creative storyteller with a style that makes you feel like you're part of the hunt. His descriptions and details bring you face to face with dangerous game on a safari adventure. I've read and re-read this book many times and each time I am always wanting to know what will happen next.



2. "If you want to be a writer, don't listen to your high school English teacher", Pete Townshend once told a caller on a syndicated radio program. In this instance, I emphatically agree! I never knew what my high school English teachers wanted either. I can just imagine them with their red pencils, crossing out one line after another if they would ever bother to read a book like this. But in actual fact Mr. Capstick spins his yarns so well in this, his first book, that most of his readers could not put it down.
   
   Reading in the safety of your own home, as you are sitting in your recliner chair sipping an iced drink, I daresay you will look over your shoulder once or twice. Even if the hair doesn't stand up on the back of your neck.
   
   I won't go into the content here, as there is more than enough info in the other reviews. I've read about half of his books and I suspect that this first one is his best. You just have to start here. He writes so engagingly that even the foreword is required reading!



3. I first read this book years ago, but that copy got lost and I was overjoyed to find it again. My siblings and I all wanted it when Dad gave away his library.
   
   Mr Capstick is a wonderfully descriptive writer! Each one of the big eight African game animals has a chapter; and each is the very worst way to die. Capstick does not skimp on the gory details, but he is entertaining and real. He spent many years in the Africian bush and obviously knows each of these animals very, very well.
   
   I worked with a gentleman who met Capstick while in Africia and he reported that the man in the book is the same man in real life. If you want a different view of Africa from the Disneyification of wildlife this is the book for you.



4. "Death in the Long Grass" is my favorite of all Capstick's stories. Note, I didn't say "the most accurate or honest", but simply my favorite. He makes fearful episodes with wild beasts believable but, I suspect that Capstick put many second-hand stories into the first person.
   
   I spoke to one long-time professional hunter in Zambia, old Rhodesia and Zimbabwe, "What do you know about Capstick?" At the time I was an avid reader and believed every word like scripture. He told me, "All I've heard of him is that he was a cook in a hunting camp in Zambia." Then again, my professional hunter friend may have had insufficient information. Another time, in one of his book, Capstick seems to quote me, personally. I will paraphrase, "I met a young African hunter who gave me his philosophy on hunting, 'It's better to spend small amounts of money and go on many safaris than to spend a great deal of money and go on only a few'." This is, in fact, an accurate quote...but...I never met Capstick. But this was and is my personal philosophy and, because of it, I have hunted all over the world and taken everything from doves to elephant.
   
   Another friend, who reportedly knew Capstick in his later years, told me that Capstick said words to the effect, "Everybody believes that I am a liar." My friend responded, "It doesn't matter what people think. You are a great writer and you've done more for big-game hunting than any man alive." I quite agree with this, by the way.
   
   In one of his books, Capstick tells the exciting story of hunting down a maneating leopard. It's truly a gripping tale. Late in his life, Capstick--for a fee--offered his company on African safaris. I read the account my one of the men who hired Capstick. Once again, I'll paraphrase, "It's a remarkable thing that Capstick, who had guided so many hunters in the killing of leopards, had never actually shot one himself. I therefore gave him my leopard permit and Capstick did the shooting."
   
   Hey, Capstick was a fascinating writer, had a great ear and made the reader live the adventure. Were all his facts exactly straight? I don't know and doubt it really matters.
   
   Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Conquest of Mexico.



5. Hemingway, Ruark, and Sanchez are all pale imitators of the great Peter Hathaway Capstick. Try to imagine an American walking away from a Wall Street career to hunt as a professional guide in Africa. Now imagine that this guy could write WAY BETTER than Hemingway, and you're still not there.
   A small snipet from the chapter on leopard.
   "...the bark of the tree, when, suddenly, your gazing into two yellow-green eyes as evil as poison gas."
   I'm not a hunter myself, but reading this book makes me wish I was.

5 comments about Kerplunk!: Stories.

1. I have a complaint with Mr. McManus's books. I have one of every one he has written and after reading each of them only a hundred times or so they are coming apart. I use them as a tranquilizer to go to sleep with and sometimes go to sleep while reading one of them and drop it on the floor but it is a very short drop and one would think the books should hold up to this. He has a way of making you forget the everyday troubles of the world. He has a different insight into the life of people with a life and I try to capture some of that in my books, SO YOU GOT TO GET RIGHT BACK ON ???? and SO WHAT WAS I THINKING???? And in my up comeing book, SO I FLEW WITH THE WIND???? Mr. McManus is a real treasure and I hope someday he finally can catch a fish and shoot a trophey if it is only a world record jack rabbit. May God be Kind to him.
   John H. Austin Jr.
   45683 Highway 101
   Sixes, Oregon 97476



2. I am sorry I bought it. I couldn't get past the first 2 stories. I was expecting something on the order of Bill Heavey's "If You Didn't Bring Jerky, What Did I Just Eat?" Heavey's book at least has plausible content.



3. Laughed the whole time. Loved the book. He says it was great. Buy it if you like the outdoors and the mishaps that can happen.



4. This is the first audio book I have gotten from this author. I made a deal with my self to listen to audio books only while driving. I started laughing so hard I had to pull the car over so I wouldn't wreck the car. It should come with a warning DANGER LAUGHING AND DRIVING COULD WRECK THE CAR.
   surprisingly, My husband listened to this one and liked it. Kerplunk may of been my first book but it won't be my last. I'll just have to learn how to drive and laugh out loud.



5. These books by McManus are the best for making you remember what it was like growing up when kids were real kids. As you read, the world melts away and entertains you as if you were really there.

2 comments about Abc's Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide For Novice To Expert (ABC's of Reloading).

1. This book came highly recommended by members of a forum on reloading. I was not disappointed. I will recommend it myself. The book covers the bases and is easy to read. You will need to add other books to your library, ( such as load data for specific calibers ) but this is a very good place to start.



2. This is the book I used when I got started reloading about 10 years ago, and this book gave me just what I needed. When I first got the itch to load my own ammunition, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and terminology involved in this fascinating field/hobby. It was very difficult to take all the individual pieces of information that I had and form it into an understandable process. I was snowed in under a blizzard of data that I was piecing together through chat rooms and web sites. Everyone was very helpful - basically shooters are the most helpful people I know - but still I was just getting fragments without a solid, complete overview. Phrases like "roll crimp", "seating and sizer dies," and "headspace" came at me in a blizzard. I could look up each phrase, understand each one as a piece, but still the whole picture was fuzzy. In essence, that is what this book will do for you: turn it all into a coherent, linear whole. The writing is very solid and clear, the illustrations are well done and helpful, and the information is very complete. After reading this book, the entire process made sense to me, and more importantly, I was fully warned about the does and don'ts of the reloading world. The coverage is very complete. Primers, powders, bullets and cases are explained with regard to nomenclature and history. All necessary tools and accessories are discussed and explained. This is just a great book. It won't make you an expert (only actual reloading for years will do that), but it will put you on the right road if you wish to become one. --Mykal Banta

5 comments about The L.L. Bean Ultimate Book of Fly Fishing (L. L. Bean).

1. Well written with great illustrations. Perfect aide to learn to cast. Could use a bit more detail on how to fish different types of flies, but great all-round guide.



2. Bought this book before fly fishing for the first time. Great pictures and text. goes into detail that I won't "outgrow" for a long time.



3. This is a composite of three previously published L. L Bean guides: fly-fishing, casting, and fly tying. The first part is Whitlock's book on fly-fishing and is one of the best (the other being Rosenbauer's Orvis book) introductions to the sport of fly fishing. The Whitlock illustrations are always great, and the information is top-notch. You will find out everything you need from fly lines to fly rods to knots to basic flies.
   
   Add the other two parts and this is an excellent overall view of all three areas. Because of the comprehensive approach, it is one of the best "how to" books on fly-fishing available.
   
   Don't be fooled by the "L.L.Bean" title--the book does not promote their products. It is a top-rated introduction to fly fishing, casting, and tying.



4. This was a reccommended book for any flyfisherman. I bought the Orvis and i just had to have the L.L. Bean book too. Both are great products. L.L. Bean has outdone themselves what a great book for any fisherman. This is a father's Day gift and i can't wait to give it to my dad. He will love it.
   Thanks,
   Chase



5. Great result when you use a buying catalogue like Cabelas, Orvis or L.L. Bean and combine it with the information of this guide... they should make an spanish version