Book Report
03-24-2007, 12:04 PM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Book Report
It's been nearly 40 years since the last time I wrote a book report, but here goes. [8D]
A friend gave me a copy of a very good book entitled The Crossbow By Sir Ralph Payne-Gallowey, The Holland Press, London.
The book is subtitled "Midiaeval and Modern, Military and Sporting". Sub-subtitled "It's Construction, History and Management."
It deals pretty much exclusively with the crossbow's military and sporting history in Europe. There's not much included about Asian or Middle Eastern types, although there are some fairly good mechanical illustrations of the Chinese repeating crossbow. Yep, an autoloading crossbow that's been around for hundreds of years.
Published in 1903, so the part dealing with 'modern' crossbows is obviously over a century old. It's dated but it's an excellent look back. It was in it's 10th printing in 1995, so it might not be too hard to find a copy, if you're inclined toward digging into the history of the sport. It's by far the best book on crossbows I've ever seen.
Also got a treatise on the ballista and catapult for those who might want to do a little building and have a couple pieces of ancient artillery in their back yard. You know... to keep the neighbors honest.
A friend gave me a copy of a very good book entitled The Crossbow By Sir Ralph Payne-Gallowey, The Holland Press, London.
The book is subtitled "Midiaeval and Modern, Military and Sporting". Sub-subtitled "It's Construction, History and Management."
It deals pretty much exclusively with the crossbow's military and sporting history in Europe. There's not much included about Asian or Middle Eastern types, although there are some fairly good mechanical illustrations of the Chinese repeating crossbow. Yep, an autoloading crossbow that's been around for hundreds of years.
Published in 1903, so the part dealing with 'modern' crossbows is obviously over a century old. It's dated but it's an excellent look back. It was in it's 10th printing in 1995, so it might not be too hard to find a copy, if you're inclined toward digging into the history of the sport. It's by far the best book on crossbows I've ever seen.
Also got a treatise on the ballista and catapult for those who might want to do a little building and have a couple pieces of ancient artillery in their back yard. You know... to keep the neighbors honest.
03-24-2007, 12:31 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canning, Ontario. Canada
Posts: 974
RE: Book Report
i am going to look for that book, sounds very interesting.
My son and I went to a nearby town for their annual pumpkin launching festival, he is determined to make a catapult now.
My son and I went to a nearby town for their annual pumpkin launching festival, he is determined to make a catapult now.
04-10-2007, 09:00 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: Book Report
If anyone's interested, I found a place that carries the book.
http://store.doverpublications.com/0486287203.html
http://store.doverpublications.com/0486287203.html
04-11-2007, 05:03 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: marshallville, ohio
Posts: 3,221
RE: Book Report
i've got the new version that deals with the newer crossbows and the history of them. I'm going to get it in the mail realllly soon don! lol i just gotta remember!
*my book reports always have to have pictures!!
*my book reports always have to have pictures!!
04-11-2007, 05:23 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: May 2005
Location:
Posts: 150
RE: Book Report
This fine volume is available on amazon.com at:
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Crossbow-Ralph-Payne-Gallwey/dp/0486287203
Great book review! Would have loved to hear you tell more.
http://www.amazon.com/Book-Crossbow-Ralph-Payne-Gallwey/dp/0486287203
Great book review! Would have loved to hear you tell more.
04-11-2007, 05:27 PM
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: May 2005
Location:
Posts: 150
RE: Book Report
There is a more recent work published by Willam Hovey Smith entitled Crossbow Hunting. It's front cover proudly displays a wary Bill Troubridge beating the bush with his trusty Excalibur. It is all inclusive of the modern crossbows and is not only detailed, but very well written. That work can be purchased at:
http://www.amazon.com/Crossbow-Hunting-William-Hovey-Smith/dp/0811733114
http://www.amazon.com/Crossbow-Hunting-William-Hovey-Smith/dp/0811733114
