5 comments about Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense Revised and Updated.

1. To the dude who said it was not good for the beginner in martial arts, I totally disagree. In fact, as a new student of Choy Li Fut gung fu and not the wing chun that bruce lee practiced this book has greatly enhanced my training and knowledge. I have the Choy Li Fut kung fu book by Doc Fai Wong and it lacks many details on footwork and punches. Bruce Lee covered the basics which are essential for mastering any style of martial art or fighting for that matter. Yes, it is not 100% complete on wing chun and martial arts like for example it never mentions chau sau (sticky hands) or weapons training but it is great way to learn how to do the correct footwork, stances and core basics. A must for Bruce Lee fans and martial artists. Get this and the Tao of Jeet Kune Do for a wonderful training aid.



2. Compared to the books out now on kung fu this book probably wouldn't rate much of a mention if it weren't for the fact that it's Lee's first published work, at least in the west. It gives a basic overview of kung fu, including some philosophy, exercises, basic style info, and a number of techniques. As far as technical knowledge goes, probably the most interesting thing there is the photo sequences showing Lee defending against multiple assailants, which are good.
   
   But at just under 100 pages, it's small although the overall quality for the time was probably pretty decent considering this was probably one of the few books in English on kung fu at the time. But by current standards it's more than a bit on the light side. Even so no doubt Bruce Lee fans will want to acquire the book to have a complete collection of his works, since he only wrote six or seven books.
   
   Probably the most interesting thing about it is Lee says the material and techniques in the book derive from the period before he started studying Wing Chun. In that sense the book is more important for its historical value in showing an earlier phase of Lee's kung fu development. Danny Inosanto also said Lee had studied northern long fist and learned all the empty-handed forms there (of which there are about a dozen), so this material could have been drawn from that.
   
   Many of the photos are a little dark and lacking in contrast but they're still viewable and not bad. You can still see what's going on. But they're not up to the quality of more recent books.
   
   One thing Lee says that still resonates today is his statement that a good martial artist will take all the knowledge that he's acquired and simplify it to get the true, distilled essence of the art. At the most advanced levels, the principles and techniques then become "simple" after being "complicated." Of course, it takes a very advanced and knowledgeable martial artist to be able to see and accomplish that, and perhaps most of us will never get to that point, but Bruce Lee did, which is why he was and still is one of the greats.
   
   By the way, many people aren't aware that Lee combined both karate and kung fu techniques (not to mention Indonesian Pentjak Silat, which most people in this country have still never heard of, although there are at least 300 different styles), so his style is truly synthetic and eclectic. However, because of that many traditional and classical kung fu masters don't consider Lee a true kung fu practitioner. Whether that is true or not I leave up to the reader to decide, although Lee himself once stated that, "There is nothing traditional in my kung fu."
   
   So overall, not a bad book for its time although at this point it looks sort of old-fashioned and dated and will probably be mostly of interest to amateur martial arts historians like myself or serious Bruce Lee fans.



3. I bought this book a few months ago. It's a first Edition from 1963, not a reprint. It's not too informative. What's it worth?



4. There are quite a few books out there about Bruce Lee. This one was authored by him in 1963. The original book had a yellow cover, and was quite understated in it's design. This was because the book was meant to have its pages ripped out, put up on the wall of your workout area and practiced repeatedly. It is simple, and easy to follow. Bruce Lee provides step-by-step instructions through photo's and drawings (his own). I suggest finding a work out partner and recreating the moves outlined in the book. Stretches, exercises and more are included. Everything except the dedication required to learn...
   
   "Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee



5. A lot of people have their opinions on Bruce Lee books. Some are fans and some read the books for the wealth of knowledge you can tap into on martial arts and self defense. I belong to that second group! Bruce Lee is a true master in the martial arts. His fighting skills are incomparable, and his way of life, is one that we wish we could all live. "Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defense" is a treasure that all martial artists should have on their book shelves. Bruce kept with his simplistic style while writing this book, making the basic techniques you learn in this book, executable by anyone who reads the book. You will also get this basic crash course on Chinese Gung Fu, without the ego that some other martial artist authors seem to have. Those people are more interested in plugging their art/system, than they are in actually teaching it. You won't get any of this with Bruce Lee! I was very happy to learn that this book was made available to the public again, after it was pulled off the shelves, after Bruce's unfortunate death. The information in this book is well written, and worth learning. This book is more than one you put on your coffee table to collect dust and do nothing else. This book will teach you the basics of an ancient art, that may well be extinct in the world of martial arts today. All I've got left to say now is....
   
   
   BUY!!!!!! BUY!!!!!! BUY!!!!!!

5 comments about Ip Man - Portrait of a Kung Fu Master.

1. I enjoyed reading the book and learning more about Ip Man. I am a disciple of Wing Chun under Sifu Sam Chan (but not his best student) and found this book very informative giving a look into the life of the man who is considered by many the Father of Wing Chun. I strongly recommend this book if you enjoy the history behind Wing Chun as I do.



2. This is the first book I purchased off Amazon and read it in a day. While a thin book, it is an interesting read. The book talks about the life of the late, Great Grandmaster [Y]Ip Man, how he came to learn Ving Tsun Kung Fu, how he lived and what he was. While you could easily find a life story of him easily by a net search, this book shows more a philisophical response to his life and decisions he made, something that is not in other stories I've read on him.



3. This is the first book I purchased off Amazon and read it in a day. While a thin book, it is an interesting read. The book talks about the life of the late, Great Grandmaster [Y]Ip Man, how he came to learn Ving Tsun Kung Fu, how he lived and what he was. While you could easily find a life story of him easily by a net search, this book shows more a philisophical response to his life and decisions he made, something that is not in other stories I've read on him.



4. As somone who knows a little about Chineese traditions, it is amazing to me that such a book exists outside of the Cantonese language. This book could only have been authored by one who developed a close personal relationship with and is trusted Ip Ching with family stories and history. Thank-you for getting to know Master Ip Ching and for providing the insight all serious Kung Fu students desire; having a better knowledge of Ip Man and what motiviated him to learn and teach Kung Fu.



5. Although a fascinating read, filled with many photos of Ip Man that I had never seen before, it was not as much of a biography as I had thought.
   
   I was personally very interested in Ip Man's life in Foshan before HK and this book only touches upon it in the initial chapters, before following with chapters about his principles and examples of them in the forms of entertaining stories.
   
   The book provides a deep portrait of the master, however it is the size of a children's novel, very short in length (a paragraph or two per chapter) and many of the pages are filled with photos (not a bad thing).

No comments about The Complete Guide to Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

5 comments about Authentic Shaolin Heritage: Training Methods Of 72 Arts Of Shaolin.

1. I bought this book when i was browsing around for different exercises to supliment with my martial arts training and out of all the books i bought this is one thats not hidden away in my book box
   
   Weather you are looking for exercises or want to know more about the history and the way monks trained, this book is worth its weight in gold. Since i dont mind the history I'll just talk about the exercises
   
   Basicaly the book is full of mostly isometric, body conditioning and yoga/tai chi/chi gung type exercises, but also has many weight and plyometric exercises, each one focused but not limited to the martial arts. If you are a martial artist it would be very hard for you to not get at least one exercise that you will fall in love with :)
   
   Although you need to build stuff for some like someone sayed, only a few exercises you probably wont be able to do because of its complexity of aparatus, and a few like the groin conditioning exercise are purely for entertainment purposes but there are some gold nugets in this book that are more than worth it
   
   Buy this book! :):):)



2. I loved this book! The exercises are (generally) things that you can actually do at home, and though I've only had it for a bit I've gotten some real benefit out of them.
   Don't get this book if you're looking for a manual on self-defense and technique. This one's all about conditioning, so it's best if you already have a background in a martial art and use this to make you better at it!



3. The training methods described are out dated compared with todays standards. However, it's a nice book to have for historicle purpose. The secret to attaining any skill is Practice, Practice, Practice... You will notice this while reading the book.



4. This book teaches all the exercizes it promises. However, some of them could be made clearer by adding pictures or further explanation. Anyone that buys this book should be aware that the great majority of these exercizes should only be done under the supervision of a qualified teacher. Besides, all of them require patient and constant (daily) effort during at least 6 months to have some results, and from 2 to 10 years to master. I advice this book for anyone seriously engaged with studying any chinese martial art system.



5. Jin Jing Zhong's, "72 Arts of Shaolin," is an amazing compilation of training and conditioning techniques. It preserves much of the ancient Shaolin training knowledge that would otherwise have been lost after the Communist Revolution. I have added many of the techniques to my own training regimen, and I only wish that I had found this book when I was younger! Most of the practices are safe but highly taxing and require a 100% committment in order to achieve success. Others require special apparatus or setups, but none are insurmountable. I quickly discovered a few favorite exercises that I try to practice every day, and I am sure that any student reading this work will fall in love with some of them as well. A few of the exercises suggest training with "dead lead," and as far as I know, there is no way to train safely with lead. I would recommend using some of the other non-toxic heavy metal substitutes for those exercises that are readily available today. This book is truly wonderful, and contains much of the true spirit of Shaolin. I'll need to buy another one soon to replace my own dog-eared copy! Good luck-Erik.

5 comments about Iron Shirt Chi Kung.

1. Iron shirt chi kung is a must for every martial artist. The author explains in detail how to apply rooting to the ground, how to apply abdominal breathing, why is an upright positioning important and why only from a relaxed body and mind one can generate maximum power.
   Excellent book!



2. As a practitioner of old style Yang tai chi I found this book invaluable in extending my knowledge of iron shirt chi gung. Technically, tai chi can be considered a combination of medium and small circle martial chi gung, but it also includes a lot of iron shirt practices as well. Essentially a form of Taoist yoga, it is finally being discovered and is receiving the attention it deserves in the west. Whether you ascribe to the more esoteric aspects of chi theory or not, the physical and and health benefits of iron shirt chi kung are substantial and can be enjoyed by anyone willing to put some effort into it. Overall, a fine book and worth your time and money.



3. still going thru this book; takes a while to get the principles down; learn something every time i read it.



4. I believe that Mr. Chia's book is the clearest explanation of the legendary Iron Shirt technique (and how to train it) ever presented in written form. Ignore some of the new-age froo-froo stuff and dig into the meat of the book. It's all there...the real information you've been seeking.



5. An advanced book on Chi-Kung and Chinese internal martial art. The main part (iron-shirt chi-kung postures) has been explained in great details, some of the postures (like Golden Turtle) are regarded as among the most important postures of advanced Wu style Tai Chi, and Iron Bar is an advanced practice in many Chinese MA systems - all explained in good details. The practice of rooting and chi-packing are elements not to be missed, again all explained in good details. "Bonus" materials include exercises to enhance structural alignment and microcosmic circulation are also included, though I think the latter can be practiced more safely with crossed legs postures as in meditation (I mean unless one's sacrum can be aligned medially, a classic requirement of sound tai-chi practice, then one can safely practice microcosmic orbit circulation in standing position).
   
   This book is an essential reference for advanced practice, and I recommend every advanced Chinese internal MA practitioners should get a copy. However, it is definitely not a book for beginners. Say for junior practitioners of Tai-Chi (say within one year of guided practice), I would recommend to supplement their practice with Zhen Zhuang (stand-like-a-tree) as taught by Grandmaster Wang of Yi-style (check up books like,The Way of Energy: Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength with Chi Kung Exercise (A Gaia Original)). Easier and safer.

3 comments about The Wing Chun Compendium, Volume Two.

1. An excellent addition to the first volume, providing more insights and direction for students looking to study outside the class. I highly recommend both this and the first volume. They are some of the most comprehensive books on Ving Tsun I have read.



2. It takes dedication, enthusiasm, courage and experience to write such a comprehensive book about the last three forms of the Wing Chun system. I bought the book to look for some drills to supplement my practice, but got deeply impressed by the other part of the Compendium that deals with many non-technical issues and values of Wing Chun Kung Fu.
   
   Petar Petrov,
   Author of "Wing Chun: Unusual Discoveries Behind the Common Belief"



3. Very well researched , with simplified instruction ...
   The author has gone through extensive study and research to put this together. I recomend it to anyone who practices Wing Chun or is looking to expand their arsenal or techniques and knowledge....

5 comments about Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese King Fu for Self-Defense and Health.

1. At first, I thought this book was kind of "basic". Having studied wing chun for a while under a competent sifu, I went back and the book has some really good stuff in it. First of all, it details the first form well. It also contains clear photos, and explanations from people who obviously have spent YEARS with this art (I can tell, because many of their insights can only be won after long study). I also liked the final section, which shows you the real "street fight" applications of the art, and of the techniques shown in the first form. I liked the discussion of Bruce Lee and his relationship with wing chun (to put it in a nutshell: Bruce never gave up on wing chun, and his Jeet Kune Do had wing chun as its core !). I liked the historical information on Yip Man in Hong Kong. This book really packs a lot into a short book. I really recommend it.



2. ...one might correct a few mistakes by following this book, notwithstanding the form being taught a little differently in every school. Good enough for a book, in my book. :-) The two photos on page 86 are in reverse order. Michael Tse brings a welcome combination of fluent English and unquestionable Wing Chun lineage. I also enjoyed the stories about the legendary Yip Man.



3. This is a good book for understanding what Wing Tsun (WT) is all about. This book explains where it originated why it was developed, who developed it, when it was deveoloped basically the history of WT. It also gives a little hindsight into how it has morphed into the WT the we have come to know through Bruce Lee and also how it has further developed into our day and age.



4. This was my Very First Kung Fu Book. It was what made me fall in love with Wing Chun. This is a great book for the beginner student. There are other books that go well beyond this one as it pertains to Wing Chun. But this book has a soft quality about it that gives the reader a pathway of Wing Chun that other books do not. If you are exploring Marital arts and want a "Taste" of Wing Chun, this is a very, very Good start.
   
   Suggested Books to read after this are:
   Mastering Kung Fu, by Garrett Gee and Benny Ming (DVD's of a MAJOR help also).
   
   Wing Chun Compendium by Wayne B.
   
   And any book on Wing Chun By Randy Williams.



5. I have read this book cover to cover. It has some good writing about Ip Man's life, and Wing Chun's principles, and the same story about the origin of Wing Chun that you can get from Wikipedia. Much of the book is a step-by-step description of Siu Lim Tao, the first form in Wing Chun. As a Wing Chun student I cannot imagine how someone could ever learn this form from a book alone. I find it interesting for the theory and history in the introductory chapters, and as a quick reference for the chinese terminology for each of the hand positions in the Siu Lim Tao form.

5 comments about The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts).

1. Good book with a helpful grasp of the history of kung fu. Also has some very useful information for proper foundations and stances. I feel that you should already have a grasp of some style of kung fu to properly appreciate and understand this book



2. This book is very good. It completely explains the history and philosophy of Shaolin Kung Fu. It hits the five main aspects of why a person would practice Kung Fu and follows those five main points through out the book. After reading the book, you can understand that martial arts is not just self defence, it's also a good practice to bring the mind, body, and spirit together.



3. As a beginner with my son, this book on Shaolin Kung Fu was very informative and the diagrams were very well done. The book starts with a description of what is kung fu to the many forms and techniques of the art. I would highly recommend the book to any parent trying to introduce their child to the method of self-defense.



4. I began practicing Eagle Claw Kung Fu only a couple of months ago. I bought this book during my first month. I found it very useful as a means to introduce myself into the art, and to learn about related practices such as Chi Kung and Tai Chi. Tne book also talks about Zen and the Spiritual aspects of Kung Fu.
   
   If you are interested in learning how to practice Kung Fu, definitely this is not your book. (Perhaps it is impossible to learn a martial art from a book.) This book, however, provides you with good tips to focus your training,and introduces you to the art, its philosophy, and other related and also very important practices.
   
   I strogly reccomend this book, as well as Kiew Kit's other books on Chi Kung. The author writes very clearly and his books are entertaining. He appears to master Kung Fu holistically and to be well developed in the external and internal aspects of it.



5. This book is a solid introduction in to they hows and whys of kung fu. However, reading the book and viewing the illustrations reminds you that Kung Fu is so much more... It makes you realise the need for a skilled and wise instructor. This is in itself an invaluable lesson.

5 comments about The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way.

1. One of my heroes has written a book - AND IT ROCKS! I have never read a more helpful martial arts book. Beautiful!



2. This is a very glossy, slick book, as is typical of Rodale publications. As such, it is a pleasant -- if over-priced -- overview for the casual reader of basic Shaolin exercise routines. However, as a martial arts practioner for several decades and an instructor with years of experience, I have a serious concern. Some of the stretching exercises in this book are potentially dangerous for the uninitiated, especially older readers who may lack the flexibility to do them safely. If taken seriously as a training manual, this book should almost come with a warning label.



3. I got this book at a library a year or two ago, and have been doing these exercises since then. They're great. As the author warns you, these are conditioning exercises, not actual strikes, and they don't prepare you for combat. Although I'm not sure I agree with the author's assertion that kung fu "isn't about beating people up", these exercises are an excellent addition to a martial artist's (or anyone's) repertoire, working on many levels simultaneously--cardio, speed, balance, flexibility, coordination, etc. This book won't make you kung-fu master of course; no book will. Anyone with unrealistic expectations might be disappointed with this book, but if you want an excellent kung-fu-style workout, this book will teach you one.



4. I really enjoyed this book. I just completed the 28 day workout. If you have been living a completely sedentary lifestyle, you owe it to yourself to get this book - and do what it says. The photography is excellent and if you just follow along, you will be surprised at the changes you can make in just 28 days. I am not saying that you will be a black belt or anything close to it, but you will be on your way to a new lifestyle. This book SLOWLY lifts you up from the couch and enables you to create new habits for yourself in just 28 days. The initial "workouts" take just a couple of minutes and they build every day by adding a new exercise or stretch. Every seven days is a review of everything you have learned to date. By the end of the month (28 days) you are feeling better about yourself and just feeling better in general.



5. This is a very challenging but realistic set of exercises, is says 28 days to transforming your body and thats no bull. Me and the wife and kids do this every evening together, very fun and will give you mobility and flexibility quickly. I am not stiff anymore because of these movements every day, very easy to understand, but it will take me years to master the movements(I am not gifted). My wife is surpasing the family quickly with mastering all this, I may never catch up! Only love for this book, I wish there was a video so I could see actual forms.

5 comments about The Art of Kung Fu Panda.

1. only seeing bits and pieces of it I had been wanting it for awhile and for the longest time it was out of stock everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE.
   Finally they reprinted it and it was worth every penny, especially though who have an interest in concept art and development.
   Seeing whats it you kinda wish they took the different plot ideas instead. You can only hope now they use that in the second movie.



2. For sure, the bestest artbook ever. The 1st place were Tarzan's Artbook from disney... now, it's "The Art of Kung Fu Panda" THE best one.



3. not as great as i expected (because this book keep out of stock) but still a must have book



4. I had been coveting after this book for a good year and a half before owning it.
   I first saw it at the Barnes and Nobel, its glossy cover promising kickass art, the width suggesting it contained massive amounts of drawings, and the length making sure the art was big enough to really savor.
   Upon opening the book, I found all of the above to be true.
   
   The sketches, the finished pieces, the explanations for why the development of certain characters went the way it did- all wonderful!
   But the price... It is well worth $45, don't get me wrong- but I'm a working student, and definitely don't have an extra $45 in my pocket.
   So I waited.
   
   I asked for it for my Birthday, and Christmas- no luck- it was already not in print in stores!
   Then I checked on Amazon. $109!?!?!?!??!?
   So I waited.
   And waited.
   And waited.
   
   Then, one fateful day, the price was miraculously reasonable, and I swooped down and retrieved the book.
   It is beautiful, and definitely one of my most treasured 'art of' books I own to date. I collect animation 'art of' books, and this one really outshines the others by a large margin.



5. This book is both helpful and utterly gorgeous! I am hoping to go to college for animation/movie design so naturally this book interested me but this goes well beyond my general interest. I can't stop looking through it! The styles of the artists are so unique, its hard not to get a little jealous. There is more about character design than there is setting and places, but they do have the places (both used and not) in the book at the end. The book is good for reference for characters, lighting, poses, color, shapes and everything else.