Customer Reviews

Longbows in the Far North: An Archer's Adventures in Alaska and Siberia

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As a traditional bowhunter, I found Dr. Thomas' stories to be not only informative but delightfully entertaining. He brings out not only the adventure of the hunt but the ethics of the sport. He has taken us to places that few will be able to go and made us see them through the eyes of a hunter and naturalist. He shows us that it is the hunt that matters, not the harvest. His ethical approach to our sport is a lesson to all who bowhunt. I can not recommend this book more highly. Whether you hunt with modern Hi-Tech equipment or carry a stick bow this book is required reading

This far outshines the vast majority of modern hunting literature. I love the fact that not every story ends with a successful kill.

Lonbows in the Far North by E. Donnall Thomas
Ethics and good taste, intelligence,knowledge and a special style of writing makes this book a winner on short stories of his observations,endurance and good humour. He doen't just want to be out there killing everything is sight. His anticipation starts from when the boots go on. Every shoot is not successful in a trophy,but it is award winning in the enjoyment of his pursuit.

Typical fantastic writing of Don Thomas. Very few authors can actually bring you on the adventure with them as it happens and Thomas does it again. Get this book!

When I read this book at the age of 49 I was someone who had never hunted (apart from Chinook on the fly) or even consciously considered it. I had also spent my whole life in Europe where no-one normally talks about or is exposed to traditional bowhunting. Four years later I have been on four black bear hunts and had adventures and amazing experiences of my own which I consider to have enriched my life. I have been to wonderful places and met many people (some wonderful, some less so; but all interesting in some way) Don's stories remind us to grasp all the opportunities for learning about others, about nature and yourself whilst showing respect for life in the ethics you display in your hunting. Oh yes, and on one of the hunts I did harvest a bear; and no I didn't feel like yelling and screaming about it in front of a video camera. Thanks, Don for showing the way and sharing it.

In a sense I'm somewhat biased. I think the longbow will never be improved upon and will always be available with very few mechanical issues to compromise performance. I'm a huge fan of "Traditional Bowhunter" magazine of which Don is a contributing editor. In this particular book, as well as his articles, he tells it the way it happens; a miss is counted as a miss! The other thing I greatly appreciate about his style, is that it greatly contrasts many of the so called TV personalities. (Again my opinion) When an animal is harvested, a life is taken and reverence is owed. I feel embarrassed as an ethical and responsible hunter to see the TV guys jump up and down and whoop and holler about how great they are and look at me and see what I just did. I agree that celebration is due for all the hard work that goes into the hunt, but not the kill. You won't find any of this nonsense in Don's book.

Don Thomas may be the most prolific outdoor writer of our time. His ability to make you feel like you are there sharing the moment is unsurpassed. He'll make you smell the smells and feel the fog on your shoulders.