I am 71 years old.  Been shooting bows and bow hunting since my early 20's.  Mostly traditional, but exclusive traditional the last 10 years.  In all this time I have yet to build a bow.  I'm interested in building a self bow.  I'm sure this question could get many different answers.  What would be the best reference material (book, CD, etc.) for me to get started?   I like materials that are easy to understand and direct to the point.

Well you came to the right place , a lot of old timers around here  I have a vast library of bow building books but the one that's close to my heart & a simple strait forward  book that I first read when I started was the Bent Stick by Paul Comstock, I read the book in a couple hours & got a shootable bow the same day ! There are many other books I could recommend but that's the one that comes to mind given your stated criteria !

I have never built a self bow but I did enjoy Glenn St Charles "Billets to Bow" which is still available in DVD from 3 Rivers. It also has a companion book that I thought informative and entertaining.
Good luck with your adventure
—-Bob D.

Thanks a bunch for the feeback

Dean Torges Hunting the Osage bow is a dandy if you can get ahold of one.  I've read mine half a dozen times.  Rattlestick by Gary Davis is a very good DVD too.

Also the Traditional Bowyers Bible series of 4 books. Each book has many authors each with a different topic of pertinent information.  You may find some of these books at your local library or they can order them.

Used one's on Amazon

The bowyers bible's are good but a little difficult to understand when you're first getting started,  at least for me they were.  Clay Hayes has a book out called the Traditional Bowyers handbook, easy to understand and read. Plus he has many YouTube videos that will help. Good luck.

Never to old as the saying goes.  Welcome to the addiction,  I started when I was about 54.  Doing woodwork is what got me started the rest is history.    I do not have any books as such but bought  a lot of Magazines on the subject.   YouTube has a vast network of guys on there building self bows, laminate bows etc.........  That's all I  do now for any reference,  kick back on the couch and watch YT.

Glad to hear you are wanting to build a bow.
You may want to begin with bad bows.
Comstock's book will give you a good start.
Also, here is my site.
Jawge
http://traditionalarchery101.com

George's site will give you lots of good info and get you started and walk you through the process.