Quiver - by Todd N Howard (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Quiver: The Art of Life through Bowcraft pairs immersive storytelling with striking visuals from a father-daughter journey documenting the lives and craft of the world's most renowned traditional bow carvers.

Known as bowyers, the subjects featured in Quiver are carrying forward the legacy of primitive archery -- a skill that has shaped human history for millennia and is now experiencing a quiet resurgence. Over the course of a year, author Todd N. Howard and photographer Ela Harper traveled to ten countries across four continents where they visited 14 bowyers in their workshops. There, they carved a bow alongside each of them over several days while documenting their process, personal history, and way of life of each bowmaker. Quiver is the culmination of this journey.

Pairing stunning photography with original and personal narratives, including a foreword by Paul Comstock, co-author of The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Quiver: The Art of Life through Bowcraft tells stories of cultural history, artisan craft, and human ingenuity, woven together with the universal thread of survival and connection.

About the Author

Todd Howard is a traditional archery instructor, acupuncturist, and martial artist based in Costa Rica. After serving 15 years as the president and founder of a highly recognized college of holistic medicine in Canada, he now enjoys a lifestyle that includes daily writing, surfing, skateboarding, and Brazilian jiujitsu. His path into traditional archery began a decade ago through a dedicated Qigong practice. This meditative discipline led him to a deeper journey into the craft of bow carving. He began working with two master bowyers and now continues to carve under the guidance and inspiration of the bowyers in Quiver. Quiver: The Art of Life through Bowcraft is his first book.

Ela Harper is a photographer and content creator based in Costa Rica. At just 15 years old, Ela is carving her own path - literally and creatively. She has traded traditional schooling for hands-on experience in photography, travel, and Brazilian jiujitsu. Quiver: The Art of Life through Bowcraft is Ela's first book.