Geoff Barnett runs this excellent reference website. It gives details of all known books about bowls (as well as videos and dvds) - we highly recommend it and have put links to the relevant page on his site for each book

Details here. A pretty early coaching guide that pre-dates by a long way the avalanche of books that appeared on the scene in the 1970s and 1980s. The style of the prose is quaint, but the world was a different place more than half a century ago. Some of what is in here is dated, but much of it is very relevant today, and some of it (how to counter a green - or mat - that is either playing very narrow or very wide) I can't recall seeing elsewhere.

The copies we have for sale have poor or no dust wrappers. The books themselves are pretty good. 

Details here. A fairly early advanced bowls guide that pre-dates the avalanche of books that appeared on the scene in the 1970s and 1980s. This is edited by C M Jones, and has chapters by winners - David Bryant, Norman King, Percy Baker. This is not a beginners book, but rather one of the rarer books for experienced players wishing to improve further, with tips about concentration and tactics rather than how to hold a bowl.

The copy we have for sale has no dust wrapper. The book itself is very good 

Details here. I wouldn't recommend this for 21st century beginners as the language is stilted and the points not explained easily. More useful for seeing how times have changed. Ex-lib, though still in very good condition 

Details here (but for a different edition). Rules and tips for both flat and crown green bowls. Various editions over the years - this is the 1982 one from EP Publishing 

Details here (but for a different edition). Rules and tips for both flat and crown green bowls. Various editions over the years - this is the current 3rd edition from A&C Black. This is the secondhand version - we also offer this in the new books section

Sorry - out of stock 

Details here. A hugely readable book with tips at the end of each chapter on how to get from good to better.

223 pages, with many photos and diagrams. Very good condition, hard back with dust jacket

Sorry - out of stock 

Details here. 'From Drake to Bryant' is the subtitle. An unusual book, an anthology of international writings on bowls over the years, but I've spent many a happy hour dipping into its stories. Slight wear to edge and top right corner of dust wrapper 

Details here. Much of interest, with histories of both flat green and crown green, an assessment of the exposure of both codes on television, stars of each code and much more. Excellent condition 

Details here. Another unusual book in the form of the witty coaching guide. I enjoyed this and read it from cover to cover. It makes you smile in several places, but cleverly uses the witty approach to cover topics that are not addressed in the coaching manuals. Like how to find a marker, how to act at bowls club dinners, gamesmanship (we don't like to talk about it, but it does happen in bowls and I've been on the receiving end of some). The constant need to make a joke of everything wears a bit thin after a while, but this is still a good and interesting book, with really excellent illustrations by the author.

Paperback version in excellent condition, with just slight grubbiness on the page edges. 

Details here. A very different type of bowls book from The Kingswood Press, in the form of a diary covering the first year after Tony Allcock turned professional. I found this interesting enough to read from cover to cover, and it does give an insight into the concerns, thoughts and approach of someone at the very top of the sport. Very good condition, with only minor marks to the dustwrapper which will probably clean off. 

Details here. A hugely readable paperback with tips at the end of each chapter on how to get from good to better.

223 pages, with many photos and diagrams. Our copy was a present to someone and has witty comments on the front endpaper 

Details here. Unfortunately, a lot of this is about match statistics - who beat whom and by how much - and I can't honestly say I learned a huge amount about Willie Wood. However, it does chart the story of one of Scotlands most popular and successful bowlers and every now and then does give an interesting insight or a useful tip.  

Details here. Unsurprisingly, the tv angle is emphasised, and there is much of interest in this little book. Slight wear to top of spine and minor crease to corner of rear cover