The Practical Guide to Man-Powered Weapons and Ammunition: Experiments with Catapults, Musketballs, Stonebows, Blowpipes, Big Airguns, and Bullet Bows Paperback – October 17, 2007

This is a great resource for understanding how human powered weapons work. While much of the information is dated it is still useful and entertaining reading. One example is the author's statement that rubber powered slingshots are limited to ~270 fps. The current documented record stands in excess of 500 fps.

Very well-written - if the author does descend deep into the depths of basic physics at times. This is balanced by a light-hearted writing style which is simultaneously entertaining and educational. Richard Middleton is obviously one of those people who you wished you'd had as a teacher at school - many, many years ago...! This is one of those books that will be read once, not completely understood at the time, but put away in one's library until required for direct reference - i.e., when building one of the devices described within. When this occurs, a swift re-read will make everything crystal clear and the book will then become a permanent part of your reference resources. My only (minor), complaint is that it doesn't appear to be available in hardback format - though if dear Richard cares to contact me and contradict that opinion, I'd be more than happy to buy a more substantial version...!

This is a very good book on the science and a little history of man-powered weaponry. This is not a "how-to" book, it is a "why-to" book. I think it would be a great companion book to any of William Gurstelle's "how-to" books.

The book comprehensively studies every aspect of slingshot design, with particular emphasis on bands, which is where the performance is to be found. It is as scientifically rigorous as any book on the subject while being easy to understand, including many practical examples. The author's writing style is quirky and quaint, eminently readable and filled with humour and anecdotes that had me laughing aloud every few minutes. It's the kind of book that you'd want to keep going back to for reference data, new ideas and an emotional pick-me-up, rather than the kind you'd check out of a library in a big stack of similar books, only to be returned unread a fortnight later.Although I bought the book to learn about slingshots, it also covers bullet bows, bullet crossbows, and airguns in the same level of detail.

Not bad. The lack of any sort of serious physics or engineering background is painfully obvious. But, it'll give you the basics for some homemade, if somewhat hazardous, fun.

I own and shoot.firearms of many different kinds and calibers. I also enjoy archery, bow and crossbow, blowguns, catapults (many of which I design and build myself) . I like to shoot different kinds of things.This book is EXACTLY for people like me, who find the shooting sports to be enjoyable and fun. The auther isvery knowledgeable, and it is quite evident that he finds the sport to be fun also.If you are a survivalist looking for an instructional, go elsewhere. If you are an enthusiast who wants more information presented in a somewhat jovial way, buy this book, you won't regret the purchase, believe me.An enjoyable, entertaining, and informative read.Posted from my Fire.

I don't remember having so much fun reading a book as this one. While the author is much better at math than I ever hope to be, his line of thought is so similar to that of any boy who has played with these toys ( so loved by every male child from the cradle to the grave), that you are drawn into a conspiracy with him to make it " shoot harder', "shoot farther", just better than the last one you made! The underlying humor, is obvious to anyone who's done such experiments.

I originally checked this book out at our local library because it had information on air rifles. One of my customers is much interested in this subject and this book goes into large bore air rifles in great depth, with chapters on both low pressure and high pressure weapons. The book is quite detailed technically, with charts showing the both the velocity and available energy of the projectiles of each of the weapons types, from slingshots on up.I purchased the book as a gift for the customer I mentioned above.

A great series of accounts of unconventional contrivances from catapults to home-made air weapons. Rich with warnings about experimentation, crossbows and Compressed Air, but with a marvellously accessible account, almost as asides, that explain projectile mechanics and even how a English Longbow, in wood, Yew, works! A unique work.

a fantastic book well worth its costs, get it you wont be disapointed, great stuff full of great information and ideas, loved it

very good book

Very instructive

This well written book is good to read and has lots of usefull information . The Author has obviously researched the contents of his book in great detail and describes his experience in a humorfull way. Anybody who is interested in shooting arrows or bullets, will find all the information needed for thier homebrew projects in this book.I can realy recomend this book as very usefull and good value for Money .