It details the development of archery as a weapon of warfare throughout history. Hurley gives detailed descriptions on how different cultures throughout history deployed there archers in combat. He also looks at specific battles and describes how and why archery was used successfully or failed to perform. In order to understand the role of archery there is a lot of background given to two other forms of warfare, infantry and cavalry (particularly the use of shock). He talks about how cultural groups succeeded (or more often failed) in bring forth a balanced fighting force with a mix of cavalry, infantry, and fixed or mobile archery.