Best Archery Books of 2026

The Bushcraft Boxed Set is a comprehensive guide to wilderness survival that includes four titles from Dave Canterbury, a renowned wilderness expert and New York Times bestselling author. The set covers everything from basic survival skills to advanced self-reliance techniques, as well as first aid tips for emergencies. The Bushcraft Guide to Trapping, Gathering, and Cooking in the Wild is particularly useful for anyone looking to prepare food while hiking or camping. Overall, this boxed set is an excellent resource for anyone interested in outdoor adventures and survival skills.

Zen in the Art of Archery is a captivating book that narrates the story of Eugen Herrigel, a German professor who studied Zen Buddhism through the art of archery. In this book, Herrigel describes his journey and training with one of Japan's greatest kyudo masters. The book offers a unique perspective on Zen philosophy and the art of archery, making it an excellent read for anyone interested in personal transformation and self-help. Overall, this book is a must-read for those seeking to understand the principles of Zen Buddhism and how they can be applied in daily life.

If you are looking for a book that can help you overcome target panic and improve your shooting, "Controlled Process Shooting: The Science of Target Panic" is a must-read. Written by Joel Turner, a police officer, firearms and archery instructor, and sniper team leader on a SWAT team, the book provides readers with a detailed explanation of what target panic is, its mental and physical symptoms, and a step-by-step guide to implementing Turner's controlled process shooting system. What makes this book unique is that it offers a solid, vetted information on how to control the mind in high-stress shooting events. Overall, a highly recommended read for hunters and target shooters alike.

Archery for Beginners is a comprehensive guide that covers all the essential skills, equipment, and training methods for anyone interested in recreational archery. The book features chapters on both recurve and compound bows, the two most popular types, and includes information on tracking your progress. With over 150 illustrations and full-color photos, step-by-step instructions, and easy-to-follow directions, this book is an excellent resource for beginners. The author, Amante P. Marinas, Sr., even explores the physics of arrow flight and includes a section on how to make your own bow and arrow, making it a valuable addition to any archer's library. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read and a thorough primer for beginners.

The Traditional Bowyer's Handbook: How to build wooden bows and arrows: longbows, selfbows, & recurves is a fascinating read for anyone interested in archery. The author shares his passion for the bow and arrow and its importance in human history. He takes the reader on a journey from making crude bows as a kid to creating more advanced ones as an adult. The book provides detailed instructions on how to build different types of wooden bows and arrows, including longbows, selfbows, and recurves. The author's love for the subject matter is evident in his writing, making it an enjoyable and informative read. Overall, this is a must-read for archery enthusiasts and those interested in traditional craftsmanship.

Total Archery – Inside the Archer is a comprehensive guide for high-level Olympic archery. Co-authored with an archer, the book is written specifically for shooters but coaches and archers will also find value in the hundreds of photos, diagrams, and exercises. The 3rd edition has updated photography and design, making the salient points jump off the page while retaining the original text. The collaborative teacher/student beginnings make this book unique, providing a delightful peek into the challenging world of competitive archery.

The Last Archer (Green Ember Archer Book 1) is a thrilling addition to the Green Ember series, following the journey of Jo Shanks, a gifted archer on a mission to see justice served. As he travels to Cloud Mountain, he faces challenges that test his convictions and resolve, all while a kingdom hangs in the balance. The book is a captivating read for children who enjoy stories of adventure and courage. With its unique blend of action and heart, The Last Archer is a must-read for fans of the series.

The Ghost Deer: The Sawtooth Legacy: Book One is an inspiring and suspenseful mountain survival bow hunting adventure that follows thirteen-year-old Tater Thompson on his journey to becoming a man. In this coming-of-age story, Tater faces life and death struggles against storms, wolves, and a forest of wild animals, while also learning core values and virtues of courage, integrity, and forgiveness. The book is perfect for children's camping books category and is filled with depth and life lessons. The Ghost Deer is a must-read for anyone looking for a good down-home inspirational story that will keep them on the edge of their seat while also providing valuable life lessons.

The Self-Defense Handbook: The Best Street Fighting Moves and Self-Defense Techniques is a comprehensive four-part manual that teaches readers the principles of self-defense, basic and advanced techniques, weapon disarms, and street fighting tactics. The techniques are adapted from proven street fighting styles, including Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga, and more. The book also includes ground fighting techniques, strategies for attack and defense, and advice on using everyday objects for self-defense. The reviewer, AmberMoon86, praises the book as a "great how-to book" and recommends it as one of the best street fighting books around.