The Traditional Bowyers Encyclopedia

October 15, 2007
This substantial revision of the author's 1989 "Traditional Bowyers of America" presents an in-depth view of some of the best-known bowyers in the country, with precise information on how they are influencing the craft of handmade bows and arrows and the sport of traditional archery. Bertalan, who has produced numerous other books on the subject, including "Bowhunting Fireside Tales", the popular "Bowhunting's Whitetails Master: The Techniques, Secrets and Successes of the Most Skilled Whitetail Bowhunters in America", and "Traditional Bowyers of America: The Bowhunting and Bowmaking World of the Nation's Top Crafters of Longbows and Recurves", writes in a manner that will please both the novice and the pro. The novice archer will appreciate the accessible introduction to the sport and the useful glossary of terms, while the seasoned archer will find this the ideal resource for information on how bowyers are approaching their trade and craft; what different elements and criteria they use in the design of bows and arrows; the different types of bows being made; and the diverse techniques used in the design and hand crafting. Including more than 200 black-and-white photographs, the work provides tips to improve one's technique and is full of stories by bowhunting legends and experts. A bonus is the list of addresses of all bowyers featured. BOTTOM LINE Extremely well written and cleverly organized, this substantial revision could be the most complete book on the art of traditional bowmaking and the sport of archery and bowhunting. Recommended for all public libraries.Luis J. Gonzalez, Hunter Coll. Libs., New York

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