Chinese Archery [Paperback]

Stephen Selby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

The book is written around parallel text translations of classical chinese sources some famous and some little known in which Chinese writers give vivid and detailed explanations of the techniques of bow-building, archery and crossbow technique over the centuries.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Hong Kong University Press (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9622095011
• ISBN-13: 978-9622095014
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,106,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Archer, Historian, & Martial Artist, September 12, 2000

By 

Luigi Kapaj - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Archery (Paperback)

I have not only read through most of this book, but also met the author. He is someone who is quite the expert at practicing the archery in which this book discusses. I have found this book to be extremely thorough in both the history of archery in Asia, as well as the forms and exercises associated with it's practice. The level of research makes this a scholarly work but presented in a readable fashion full of pictures and diagrams where appropriate, translations of period references on almost every other page, and instruction on how to shoot a bow in the Chinese style as can only be told by someone with personal experience in addition to the translations of instruction from various texts.

A nice feature of this book is how archery in China is put into perspective across the large span of history and geography it covers. It is not an isolationist view of a single culture but rather it takes into account the styles of archery as well as the attitudes about it from the various cultures that were both influential to and influenced by China.

Overall I would say it is an intense, well rounded book and I highly recommend it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, definitive, impressive, a "must" for archery buffs., January 22, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Archery (Paperback)

In Chinese Archery, Stephen Selby draws upon his years of study and interest in Chinese language and culture, as well as an accomplished archer, to present a definitive history of traditional archery in China as related by historians, philosophers, poets, artists, novelists and strategists from 1500 B.C. down to the present day. Written around parallel text translations of classical Chinese sources (some famous, some obscure), the reader is provided vivid and detailed explanations of the techniques of bow-building, archery and crossbow technique over the centuries. Chinese Archery is unique, definitive, and a very impressive contribution to Chinese history, and the sport of archery.

5.0 out of 5 stars an invaluable resource on Chinese archery, December 4, 2010

By 

Justin Ma - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chinese Archery (Paperback)

I really really enjoyed this work. And after several months of practicing Chinese archery, I read through it a second time and gained an even deeper appreciation for the effort Stephen put into this book. He does a great job combining discussions on archery, culture, history, science and technology --- I learned a great deal, even beyond technique. My favorite parts are Chapters 11 and 12, where the translations do a great job of conveying the down-to-earth humor of some authors from the late Ming dynasty.