For me, one of the hardest things to figure out when I got started was which bow to get.

A couple of things to consider: get a bow that fits your draw length (if you draw 30", don't start with a 58" recurve; or if you draw 26", don't start with a 68" recurve), and get a weight that you can control. Not a weight that you can get to anchor, but a weight that you have full control over, and can shoot comfortably for more than a dozen arrows. Starting out too heavy is a common mistake, and one of the worst, in my opinion.

A fast bow is fine, but can be a hinderance, especially starting out. Personally, once I get past a certain point in speed, my accuracy suffers. Most any bow can be made fast, or can be slowed down--string choices, arrow weight, point weight, etc. can be used to adjust this. Be more concerned with getting your form established and shooting consistently. After you get a feel for it, you will have a much better idea of what you want for your next bow.

Keep in mind there is no one perfect bow or shooting style that will work best for everyone. Don't be afraid to try different things. I like Byron Ferguson's "Become the Arrow" (book) and Ricky Welch's "Instinctive Shooting, Volume II" (video). They have completley different styles, but both are very accurate with their preferred shooting style and both offer a lot of good information concerning the basics.

Good luck!

Chad