There is a lot of good info out there, a lot of it on the web, about the key players, the bows, the materials, the marketing, the Fred Bear hunting movies, the labor problems, the move to Florida, the multiple mergers and buyouts, etc. But they've made a heck of a lot of bows in every price range and its clearly the flagship of American bowmakers. For a person just starting out, I would urge him to consider a used bow...less of an investment and so many different styles to try, many of which they no longer make. For less than $150 you can pick up an excellent vintage bow. I would start with a longer bow Polar,e.g. in the 35-40# range that is ideal for developing good form. Dont skimp on properly matched arrows for his bow, and draw length.