Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers: Volume 1: Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Native Americans and their elegant weapons have provided an undeniable mystique for archers, history buffs, collectors, and anyone who appreciates traditional skills. For the first time, authors Allely and Hamm have brought together the most exceptional archery pieces from eastern tribes such as the Mohegan, Mohawk, Cherokee, Seminole, Chippewa, and Winnebago. Beautifully detailed full-page pen-and-ink drawings give dimensions, decorations, and construction details on more than a hundred historic bows, scores of arrows, and two dozen quivers. The running commentary is drawn from research conducted in museums around the world, and gives insights into who used these instruments and how.

This pathbreaking and comprehensive book will strongly appeal to all those with an abiding interest in Native Americans and archery.

From the Back Cover

Native Americans and their elegant weapons have provided an undeniable mystique for archers, history buffs, collectors, and anyone who appreciates traditional skills. From museums and private collections around the world, authors Allely and Hamm have brought together the most exceptional archery pieces from eastern tribes such as the Mohegan, Mohawk, Cherokee, Seminole, Chippewa, and Winnebago. Beautifully detailed full-page pen-and-ink drawings give dimensions, decorations, and construction details on more than a hundred historic bows, scores of arrows, and more than a dozen quivers from over thirty tribes. This pathbreaking and comprehensive book will strongly appeal to all those with an abiding interest in Native Americans and archery. (8 3/4 X 11 1/4, 148 pages, maps, illustrations)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 148 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558219927
• ISBN-13: 978-1558219922
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #887,187 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Seriously Disappointed, December 30, 1999

By	T. Mullane (Hagerstown, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a fan of Jim Hamm I was extremely disappointed in this book... as an amateur bowyer I expected to find a good bit of text describing the building of these bows, arrows and quivers, but instead found page after page of nothing but pictures with barely descriptive text (i.e Naraganset. Hickory bow with burned design on belly similar to Powhattan bow. Hole drilled through tip) I do not criticize the amount of work and research that must have gone into this book, nor do I criticize the excellant pen and ink drawings. I just wish that there was information on the building of these magnificent weapons. If you just want to see what the bows, arrows and quivers of the early Native Americans looked like, this book is for you. However, if like me, you are more interested in how to recreate one of them, I suggest you look elsewhere.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From an arrow collector, May 17, 2002

By	sunyol - See all my reviews

This book, thanks to the very accurate drawings and precise indications (length, diameter, type of wood and fletching, colours indications) have enabled me to duplicate native American arrows with precision. I have often counterchecked the descriptions with some information I have found in museums and found the book very reliable. First pity, there aren't enough photos or colour drawings. Second and most catastrophic pity: why has the publisher apparently given up the idea of publishing the second volume about the Great plains, Columbia and Southwest?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind, at least for now, May 16, 2002

By	Nathan Wolber (College Station, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is true that this book is not a how-to book, but I think that was the author's intention. What it is, is a much-needed reference work, indeed, it is the first and certainly most up-to-date record of American Indian archery equipment. It's been at least 50 years since a book of this sort has been published. My only objection is that the book does not (cannot?) provide enough context or provenance; this is a minor objection. Perhaps fans of Hamm would be more satisfied with Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans. I'd say the book is directed more towards the ethnographer or anthropologist; however, the book is clearly an invaluable reference for the traditional archer/bowyer (hey, this is a "living" hobby - be creative), as it provides dimensions, materials used, colors, and closeups of designs. Fans of American Indian art in gerneral will also appreciate it. Volume II, which should be available before the end of the year, should be at least as good.