About the philosophy of the book

Already posted on the Sagi board on January, 5, 2006 (never rewrite the same things if you still have the original...)

There are different approches possible in writing an archery book. 90% of the books around are just introductory manuals repeating for the 90th time the same basic steps, just with different pictures. Not so many coaches or top level archers have up to now decided to really explain in writing what they believe to be the way of the success in competitive archery, and how they have reached their conclusions. In this respect, Archery in earnest, The simple way of winning and Total archery are quite unique. But while Roy Matthews and Rick McKinney have put a lot of personal experienc in their books, Total Archery is un uncomplete work. It generates more questions than anwers that is giving. But, it is the first look to the inside world of Korean modern archery, after "Avviamento alla Competizione", by Don Eum Suk, Spigarelli and Casorati, written on the early 90's using infos from korean manuals translated and explained by D.E.Suk (available in Italian language, only). K.S. Lee does justify with byomechanic a lot of things he says, but as chang is mentioning, there is no reference or explanation of the basic work used to reach such conclusions. In addition to this, surely some archers he is using as reference are NOT shooting in that way at all, including his pupils Tim and the late Dave, and Michele's picture as example of (good, I hope) way of reaching anchor has also nothing to do with the content... Anyhow, a lot of infos in that book are new and very usefull and justify 100% its price. May be the useful infos for me are not the same for others, but they are there.... My approach to assemble " The Heretic Archer" has been quite different. First, not a basic manual at all, but a collection of opinions, experiences and articles sometime already published about the various main aspects of our sport. Second, the full clear (I hope) explanation of the Michele's technique and how to teach/learn it. Third, a wide range explanation about how I have reached those conclusions and why, in my opinion, is just a waste of time to follow other paths. Fourth, the story of how Michele has become a champion by following the develpment of his technique and his results in 7 years fom 1989 to 1996. The key word about my book is "efficiency". No way, in our western world of almost pure amateurs to follow "unefficient" shooting techniques, as we do not have the numbers of professionals and the financial possibilities to follow them. We presently we are building up a good archer in 7 years starting from 100, when in Korea they can build up 30 good archers in 4 years starting from 1000.... no way to compete, if we do not find a more efficient and consistent way of producing top level archers. In my persona experience, I suppose to have found that way, and I hope my book will help other to follow the same path to the success. But, as already stated, all exeriences around can give additional bits to this path, and surely all the books I have mentioned have mor than one in them.


Vittorio