Turkish Archery and the Composite Bow [Hardcover]

Paul E. Klopsteg (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Derrydale Pr; 4th edition (March 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564160939
• ISBN-13: 978-1564160935
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,670,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classical book on Turkish archery, November 16, 2001

By 

Alberto A. "Alberto" (Italy) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turkish Archery and the Composite Bow (Hardcover)

First, this book consists of two sections, one about Turkish archery, by Klopsteg, and another "Modern Methods in Archery".
For me the second part is not worth the book, it is just curious, not very informative, so I'll skip my comments and concentrate on the part about Turkish archery.
It makes a complete overview on the different aspects of Turkish archery, it is not a "how to" book, if you want a how to, better to try Thomas Douvernay's video about Korean Archery or Jeff Schmidt video about Asiatic composite bows. The second can be ordered at Amazon, and both are available at Three Rivers Archery.
There are different chapters describing bows, arrows, the strings, performances, and also a "recent addenda" that is more helpful to who is willing to build his own bow.
It is the best book about the most fascinating bow. If you're lucky enough to get a copy, go for it!
Alberto

5.0 out of 5 stars Turkish Archery and the Composite Bow, Klopsteg 1947, August 7, 2011

By 

RickR - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turkish Archery and the Composite Bow (Hardcover)

I first encountered this book while searching through the stacks of the Cal State L.A. library in the 1970's. I was/ am an inveterate researcher, and was drawn to the title, having been an amateur archer as a child. Once started I couldn't put it down and the technology of Asiatic composite bows became a life long fascination. I agree with the one other reviewer that this is not a how to book, although a great deal can be inferred from the sections translated from older texts in Arabic. These sections describe the tools and materials, but certainly not with the depth needed to satisfy someone wanting to construct a bow. I'm a full time luthier and was knowledgeable on the topics of hide glue, the wood working skills and tool use. It took some time to learn the processing of sinew from tendon, but all the needed skills are within reach of a determined person. A newer addition to the subject is Adam Karpowicz', Ottoman Turkish Bows, Manufacture and Design. I just ordered it and am looking forward to reading it.

I was lucky enough to find a copy of the Klopsteg, Turkish Archery and the Composite Bow, 1947 back in the 1980's and still consider it a must have and important early study on the subject. The section's devoted to the then modern attempts at building a bow inspired by the originals is actually fascinating from a historical standpoint. One needs to remember that these attempts were made 63 years ago. If you can find a copy of this classic at a reasonable price I highly recommend it. It appears that the reprinting offered through the Legends of the Longbow series is in high demand as well judging from the prices.