Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: Swamp Bow on December 13, 2009, 01:03:08 am
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I'm guessing that The Great Warbow : A History of the Military Archer is out of print right now. Does anyone know if there are plans for a reprint?
Swamp
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The Great Warbow by Strckland and Hardy is still available,is that the book your after?
£60 from Amazon UK!! My copy cost £13 when it was still in print.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Great-Warbow/Matthew-Strickland/e/9780750931670
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Warbow-Robert-Hardy/dp/0750931671
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That's the one. I'm seeing prices that go from $50 to $250. If it is being reprinted soon, I'd rather spend the 13 Pounds.
Swamp
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It's not listed for sale on the Publishers website,if you shoot them an email I'm sure they'll tell you if they have any plans to reprint it.
http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/
Anything specific you want to reference? I can look it up for you in my copy.
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Thanks Loki. I'll send them an email. Sure, I'd like to know what's in chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3... ;D I really do appreciate it. I want a copy of my own though, just a matter of if I buy now or wait. I've got a serious weakness for books that interest me.
Swamp
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I have the book and was just a little disappointed by it. There is a small technical appendix dealing with some experimental data - but much more with the mathematical models for distance, weight, speed and penetration etc. which were hinted at in Hardy's eearlier book. The rest of "The Great Warbow" is a history of its tactical use in various battles, which is great if that is what you are interested in. Strickland's main thesis is that the longbow only came into its own once the tactic of using dismounted men at arms and archers together was developed.
If you are intersted in the military history and tactics its good, but there is comparatively little info in it about the bows.
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I have the book and was just a little disappointed by it. There is a small technical appendix dealing with some experimental data - but much more with the mathematical models for distance, weight, speed and penetration etc. which were hinted at in Hardy's eearlier book. The rest of "The Great Warbow" is a history of its tactical use in various battles, which is great if that is what you are interested in. Strickland's main thesis is that the longbow only came into its own once the tactic of using dismounted men at arms and archers together was developed.
If you are intersted in the military history and tactics its good, but there is comparatively little info in it about the bows.
Thanks, that may move the book around on my "to be acquired list" a little. Still want it, but there are a few others I want now as well. We shall see what I feel like when I am ready to order. ;)
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I too was rather disappointed with the book. It's a very difficult read... more like an historical text. I have a hard time staying awake while reading it. Not much technical info on the bows, either.
Hugh Soar's book "The Secrets of the English Warbow" is a much better read.
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The book "Arrow Storm" by Richard Wadge is meant to be very much better.
Dave
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Thanks. Hummm the list seems to always get bigger not smaller. :'( We will see what funds are available after my annual Medieval Pottery book shopping spree in Hoehr-Grenzhausen. Gonna be cold...
Swamp
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I also consider "Arrowstorm" by Richard Wadge to be much better value for money for anyone interested in the socio-economic background.
"The Great Warbow" is the bigger book, if size is what you want, and it has more pictures.
I browse through Strickland, but I read Wadge.
Rod.
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Thanks. You know what they say, "size isn't everything". ;D I'm interested in the actual bows, social impact, and the military use. Amazing what you can get a hold of these days. Again, the list keeps growing.
Swamp
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Agreed Rod!
Richard Wadge's book is probably the most informative and well researched book of them all, He is also a very close friend, so if anyone wants a signed copy let me know.
Cheers
Steve
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Steve,
I wouldn't mind one; should've picked one up when I was over! :-[
Dave
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No problem Dave I will keep one for you mate.
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Friend of mine said just the other day that he had bought a copy on my recommendation and found it a "difficult" read.
I was momentarily speechless. I can only wonder how he ever got throught Sumption and suggested that he did not attempt the Yale Unversity Press "English Monarchs" series of paperbacks which I found quite interesting, particularly on the politics, law and economics.
Whilst Wadge's "Arrowstorm" is well researched and detailed, it is not a massive tome and is by no means a "difficult" read.
It is very much about the economic and social context, but it is not tedious or over complicated.
But it is not "Harlequin" or "The White Company" or a picture book.
IMO everyone with an interest in the topic should have a copy.
Rod.
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I have both.
Arrowstorm was a bit hard to come by, but is indeed an 'easy' read compared to the Great Warbow, which I got for X-mas and am now hooked on ;D
Either way, I find both books great sources of information. Guess it's the same as with shooting the Big Sticks... it depends on how far you want to go.
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Historical books can be a bit hard going sometimes but I enjoyed the Great Warbow,I thought it was a good read ;D.
'An Imperial Possession, Britain in the Roman Empire' by David Mattingly is a difficult read.I've had that book for six years and I'm still not half way through it! >:D
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For those interested, I asked Marston's the UK publisher if they had plans to re-print it and received this reply:
"I'm afraid this one is reprint under consideration, no date as advised
by the Publisher"
So may have to buy one of the overpriced ones on offer through the net. I ordered one from Amazon UK 6 months ago when they still claimed to have copies, however by the time they processed my order their stock had gone, so although I am on their list for one when the receive more stock, it seems that will not be for a while. Will have to cancel the order.
Craig.
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I'd have to agree with other members here and reccommend "Arrowstorm"
It's an excellently researched book and very easy to read, which is a difficult combination when your writing a historical text.
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It's a shame though that "The Great Warbow" is out of print; I would certainly have liked to add that to my bookshelf as well!
Dave
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Still a few available online...:
http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/SearchResults?&sortby=3&kn=+great%20+warbow%20&submit5.x=25&submit5.y=10&afn_sr=ZanoxDE&cm_ven=am&cm_ite=zan&zanpid=1326122981642169344
(Ignore the first on the list.. >:D )
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Still a few available online...:
http://www.abebooks.de/servlet/SearchResults?&sortby=3&kn=+great%20+warbow%20&submit5.x=25&submit5.y=10&afn_sr=ZanoxDE&cm_ven=am&cm_ite=zan&zanpid=1326122981642169344
(Ignore the first on the list.. >:D )
Thanks for that! Though I note that most copies seem to be second hand - at least they are not too expensive!
Dave
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It may be that Quicks still have "The Great Warbow". Probably worth checking.
In the UK, Paul Meekins is a reputable dealer in archery related books but if there is currently an excess of demand and a temporary shortfall in supply the price may be on the high side.
An Abe Books price will be a good indicator as to the current second hand market value.
Also do a search on UKBookworld.com
Rod.