Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Wooden Bows, Sinew-backed Bows, Composite Bows, Strings, Arrows, and Quivers Kindle Edition

I am a woodworker and woodcarver. I have carved Northcoast Indian masks and an eight foot totem pole. I loved this book. I just purchased it from one of Amazon's used books section. I had checked the hardback edition out from the library and knew I had to own this. I love the background information that the author uses. I am not a bowyer and have only used a bow a few times in my life. My grand-daughter is into Hunger Games so I thought I would try my hand at making a bow for her. I don't know when I will get started but I will be looking for some good Yew wood since I am in the Northwest. I think this is a good book to read even if you don't make a bow. Lots of historical stuff in this little book. I did find that the author was a little off on his mention of the difficulty in finding hide glue in small quantities. He stated that you would have to get a 100 pounds minimum. Of course, maybe when he wrote that it was correct because now it is very easy to get hide glue at specialty wood stores such as Woodcraft, Highland Woodworking, etc. There are alot of photos, black and white, of various American Indians and the author treats the subject with respect. The book repeats some subjects but that is okay because it makes it easier to get into and stay in my head. I think it would be real fun to make a bow and have put this into my top 10 things to make. Easy reading but lots of discussion on measurements, weights and wood properties. I would put this as required reading for anthropology, history and even engineering students. You can't go wrong with this little book. I bought this book for only a couple of dollars at seattlegoodwill which said that it was used but it was brand new so I scored on this one, plus it was good service. The shipping was actually more than the book.

Covers everything from wood selection all the way through the painstaking process of crafting arrows. Includes some info on collecting and processing tendons. Also has an interesting little bit about the shooting style of the Native Americans which fascinated me. I seem to have missed the part about seasoning the staves though... I had been hoping to get some tips on how long to season the wood (is it different for each type of wood? how should I handle storage through the humid summer months? etc.) but I suppose not every book has every detail.

Jim Hamm is well known in the primitive archer community. His books and articles are excellent and he has many years experience constructing bows. This book contains excellent step-by-step, and detailed, instructions on constructing a bow from a single piece of wood. The chapter on arrows is equally enlightening and well written. Regarding arrowheads, flint knapping is a subject unto itself and there are many fine books dealing with this topic - some of them big (as in many pages). Had Hamm dwelt on flint knapping this book would have easily doubled in size. Use it for bow and arrow construction, get another book to learn flint knapping.

Bought this for our teenage son who collects whose own wood from trees and carves his bows. He's learned a lot and the book has really helped with trouble shooting.

Another OUTSTANDING book by Jim Hamm!!!!!! I learned a lot about the history of Archery!!!!!!!

I enjoyed this book by Jim Hamm because he accurately depicted the tools and knowledge of the Native Americans. This book is well written with good illustrations. The book is full of great information and is easy to read.

it was priced to move, my Sioux brother spotted eagle said it would be a good place to start.since history is being lost, and the old ways are almost gone.would I say buy this book yes easy to read, lots of facts jim hamm did good

Extensive information

Great book. Wish i had brought this befoe others. Perfect if you want a book thats talks you through simple bows with simple tools.

Best and most informative volume on this subject , well worth reading before you attempt to make own bow.

So much detail in here I do not know where to begin. He has been to just about every collection of native archery kit there is and has therefore gained an insightful overview which will boost your understanding of the art and science of bow-making.

very informative and full of useful instructions, highly recommended

Never quite sure if the books I choose on this subject are ok but this went down a storm and is well appreciated