Principles of Traditional Archery

Dr. Thomas Grissom’s book Principles of Traditional Archery is a unique resource containing valuable technical information that is relevant for a wide readership, including competitive target archers, bow hunters, bowyers, and even backyard archery enthusiasts. Grissom began shooting at the age of eight; his lifelong interest in archery, coupled with his PhD in Physics, make him particularly well qualified to author a book on the physical principles of archery. It should be emphasized, as the title indicates, that the book is directed toward traditional archers, not users of compound bows or crossbows.As Grissom clearly states in the Prologue, his book is not a comprehensive manual on traditional archery. New archers looking for such basic information as setting nocking points or reducing bow noise through brace adjustment have a number of alternatives to turn to (Anthony Camera’s book is a particularly popular choice). Grissom’s book is better suited to those who have already gained some experience with archery, and who now wish to enhance their experience by learning about the “basic (physical) principles that underlie the design, performance and use of all forms of traditional bows and arrows,” (p. 11). Grissom is careful to avoid overwhelming the reader with mathematical physics, but enough technical details (without proofs or derivations) are provided to achieve the primary thesis of the book: “The way to understand traditional archery today is by examining the basic principles that govern the function of the bow and the arrow and by understanding that function relates to the design of each and the materials out of which they are constructed,” (p.32).Grissom is quick to acknowledge the seminal contributions of P. E. Klopsteg, C. N. Hickman, and F. Nagler, pioneering researchers in the physics of archery during the first half of the twentieth century. In particular, Grissom repeatedly emphasizes the central importance of Klopsteg’s concept of the “effective mass” of a bow. As a shot concludes, the limbs and string continue to move (and other, more subtle internal energy losses also occur), reflecting the fact that a portion of the energy stored in the drawn bow is unavailable for propelling the arrow. Klopsteg’s notion of effective mass provides a useful way of quantifying and conceptualizing this lost or wasted energy. On page 63, Grissom states that “This is the most important fact to understand about the operation of a bow.” It takes a considerable investment of time and thought to fully understand that remark and its consequences as one studies subsequent chapters, but the effort is well worth it.The technical analyses that Dr. Grissom provides will enable the reader to far more intelligently address the typical questions that most archers eventually confront: (1) What draw weight is optimal for my shooting purposes? (2) Does increasing bow weight necessarily result in a significant increase in arrow speed (while keeping arrows safely matched to the bow)? (3) Which is more important for hunters, the kinetic energy or the momentum imparted to an arrow? Why? (4) What are the realistic upper limits, given currently available technologies, for achievable arrow speeds with a bow that will also permit consistently accurate shooting? (5) What are the specific mechanical advantages of a recurve bow over a longbow? Are there any disadvantages?As Grissom points out, many of the “accepted folklore” answers to questions such as these, while appealing to “common sense,” are in direct conflict with known laws of elementary Newtonian physics! Grissom dispels these myths, one by one, by providing the alternatives that physics suggests, along with explanations to help the reader understand how common sense may have led them astray. This line of development leads to some truly surprising results in places, even for readers with an extensive background in physics. (Fair disclosure; the author of this review is a mathematics professor who also teaches physics.)Another point that Grissom emphasizes is the relatively small variance in the performance of all traditional bows. Even an inefficient bow of moderate draw weight will shoot a well-matched arrow at 150 feet per second; but the most efficient designs currently available rarely exceed 200 feet per second by significant amounts. Thus, all our investments into materials and designs that will increase arrow speed are devoted to achieving increases of 33% or less. This is a point that must be kept in mind for perspective as one weighs the value/ cost ratio of the many equipment improvements that are available. (This discussion obviously excludes crossbows, compound bows, and the hyper-specialized flight bows and arrows; Grissom claims to own a flight bow that has shot an arrow 860 yards, just short of half a mile! (p. 23))In addition to his technical analyses of archery equipment, Grissom also provides helpful discussions of target panic, as well as what he calls “the cardinal sin” of the archer---becoming overbowed by an irrational and unnecessary desire for ever-higher draw weights. (I have seen this form of madness in one of my own friends, a relatively small man who now wrestles with a recently purchased 80 lb. bow like it is an anaconda.) Perhaps the stories about the legendary Howard Hill once shooting a 175 lb. bow (p. 35) have contributed to this particular malady?I own a number of books on archery, but Grissom’s book belongs in a category of one in the collection. Only the early compilation of research by Hickman, Nagler and Klopsteg is comparable. Because of its uniqueness in treating the physical principles of archery from the point of view of Newtonian physics, Dr. Grissom’s book belongs on the shelf of any traditional archer who is interested in improving his or her experience through a better understanding of those governing principles. The book will appeal to those who wish to understand WHY they should follow certain practices, rather than accepting, unquestioningly, the recommendations of others. Dr. Grissom summarizes this perfectly on page 229, and I will give him the last word: “There is a lot of nonsense written about how to shoot a bow, some of it by people who shoot well enough but don’t really understand why.”

This is a very detailed explanation of how the bow and arrow work separately and individually. There aren't that many books out there on the subject of traditional archery, and it's been my experience that each author has their own experience and interpretation of that experience. Plus, a number of books blend the different styles of bow shooting, and what works in a controlled environment doesn't work as well in the field.I'm glad I came across this book and added to my library, because even though there are parts that fuel my math anxiety memories, other chapters are rather insightful. But again, if you're just getting into traditional archery (I'm into longbow rather than recurves and compounds) put your hands on as many books on how to shoot as you can and let them all fill in the blanks and build on each other. Unfortunately, I've not found one author who provides enough explanation to fully explain what you need to be doing to put the arrow in the middle of the target.My only criticism for the book is that even though it's very detailed, a few pictures might have been helpful, especially when the topic of proper shooting form is discussed.

There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the physics of bow and arrow technology, but this is one of the best treatments of the subject I have seen. Archery physics are explained without overwhelming the reader with complicated mathematics. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in traditional archery.

I thought it was a well rounded book from a history of archery to techniques.

Good source for information. Presents well-known facts from a slightly different perspective. Easy to read and maintain interest but the same information ifs available else where.

Well written broad coverage of technique and the best technical coverage of bow and arrow design that I have seen. It was a book I couldn't put down. I will read sections of it many times. Grissom knows his stuff.

language - as with many science-y books - leaned to jargon over clarity, but an interesting read.

I recommend this book unequivocally to anyone considering the theory and practice of traditional archery.

It was a gift. The person said it was a good one.

Just fine!