Bows Arrows Of The Native Americans

A comprehensive account of the history and construction of these unique hunting tools.

No one knows for certain just when the bow and arrow came into use in America, but they were in use from the far North to the tip of South America when Europeans first arrived. Over the hemisphere the equipment ranged from very poor to excellent, with the finest bows of all being made in the Northwest of North America. Some of these bows rivaled the ancient classic bow in beauty of design and workmanship. The attitudes of whites toward Indian archers and their equipment have ranged from the highest of praise with mythical feats rivaling those of William Tell and Robin Hood-–o mockery and derision for the Indians' short, "deformed" bows and small arrows. The Laubins have found most of the popular conceptions of Indian archery to be erroneous-as are most of the preconceived notions about Indians—and in this book they attempt to correct some of these false impressions and to give a true picture of this ancient art as practiced by the original Americans. Following an introduction and history of Indian archery are chapters on comparison of bows, bow making and sinewed bows, horn bows, strings, arrows, quivers, shooting, medicine bows, Indian crossbows, and blowguns. Those wishing to learn something about the use of archery tackle by American Indians, something of the ingenuity associated with its manufacture and maintenance, and something about the importance of archery in everyday Indian life will find in this book a wealth of new, valuable, and important information.

Enlightening and entertaining, this book has easy-to-follow instructions for readers who plan to make and shoot their own bows and arrows. It's a must-have text for outdoorsmen, bowhunters, traditional craftsmen, and historians.

The authors bring together more than 100 exceptional archery pieces, with detailed full-page pen-and-ink drawings giving dimensions, decoration and construction details. Line drawings and maps.

Featuring 155 color photographs and illustrations, Native American Weapons surveys weapons made and used by American Indians north of present-day Mexico from prehistoric times to the late nineteenth century, when European weapons were in common use. Colin F. Taylor describes the weapons and their roles in tribal culture, economy and political systems. He categorizes the weapons according to their function - from striking, cutting and piercing weapons, to those with defensive and even symbolic properties - and he documents the ingenuity of the people who crafted them.

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.