5 comments about Bruce Lee's 1 and 3 Inch Power Punch.

1. I originally bought this book a couple years ago hoping I could learn this parlor trick of a technique to show off to people at parties. I read the book several times, but couldn't figure it out. Later I took up Wing Tsun (which contains the punch) and realized after being taught the punch, it is nothing like described in the book. .... Nothing great in my opinion.



2. I got this book a few years ago hoping I could learn to do this infamous technique. I read the thing in less than an hour and tried following the guide and could not get mine to work. I am not saying that it won't work for you ($5? Come on, it's just $5, if it were $20 I'd be upset). It may or may not, some people have had it work.

   However, I later took up Wing Tsun (Bruce Lee's art) and realized my mistake. The technique takes all of 5 minutes to be taught it, and then perfecting it takes a long time. There are no exercises needed like explained in the book.




3. Awesome book on the one and three inch punch. THESE punching techniques are deadly and needs a lot of practice to perform it the way De'mile does it. Buy it if you want to know how to keep inside yourself a very strong knockpunch[if used on the jaw or solar plexus}that can be usefull against an physical fight



4. Great book on these mechanics! I've learned similar mechanics in Wing Chun, similar but not the same. To a martial artist, the mind and breath exercises described herein are things that could be taken into other areas of training, rather than just this technique.
   If such a technique can be learned from a book, it can be learned from this book, but one must build the skill patiently and a step at a time, as it is explained.
   I don't know if this is a good buy for a regular person, but it's a treasure to an impassioned martial artist.



5. This book is getting a lot of flak for not imparting Bruce Lee's devastating martial arts secrets, but of course the flaw here is that you're trying to learn martial arts from a book. It's fine as an overview if you're curious about the basic mechanics involved, but it's not the modern equivalent of the mystical ancient scrolls you've been taught to expect in those late night cable tv kung-fu movie marathons. At best, this book should only be used as a supplemental to formal instruction. If you bought this book expecting to learn this (or any) technique without real-life instruction, you have no right to whine after your friends beat you up.
   
   Put simply, if you're serious about learning this technique you need to learn it from a person, not a paperback that you found on the internet.

No comments about Wing Chun: Advanced Training and Applications.

5 comments about Simply Wing Chun Kung Fu.

1. I have been studying Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) in Hong Kong for over 30 years and this is the first book in English that has managed to explain the essence of Ving Tsun. My Si-Fu, even my Si-Kung, Ip Man, would have been proud that Ving Tsun is being taught and explained so well around the world. This book embodies the teachings of my Si-Fu and his Ving Tsun To Dai (Kung Fu brothers), probably due to Rawcliffe Sifu's studies in Hong Kong and incompasses the simple complexity that is Ving Tsun Kuen. Understanding the structure to Ving Tsun is key to understanding how Ving Tsun works so effectively and efficiently and a book like this was long over due. Including the Ving Tsun Kuen Kuit elevates the book even further by embracing the philosophy of all that is Ving Tsun.
   Leo T K Wong. Hong Kong 2003.



2. At last a book on Wing Chun rather than a book about the person behind the book. Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe has managed to do what so many others have failed to do, write a clear and concise book about the system of Wing Chun. So many other books seem to be promotional literature about the authors who happen to do Wing Chun. I found this book went in to great depth about the basics of the Wing Chun system and therefore will remain a great source of reference for students at all levels. It thankfully avoids the usual " this is how I do it" approach and refreshingly addresses the "this is what is behind whoever does it" approach.
   Excellent, I shall be recommending this to all my students.



3. I am deeply impressed by the format and content of this book. It manages to cover all the key aspects of Ving Tsun Kuen in great depth and detail without promoting one 'family' style or approach.
   As a Dit Dar doctor (bone healer), I am also very impressed by the depth of knowledge and understanding shown by the author and by the articles he included by 3 of his students. It is rare to find a westerner who can appreciate and understand the complexity of Qi energy, let alone it's use within Gung Fu.

   The publication of this book gives great reassurance that the teachings of Man Gung are at last being fully appreciated and passed on correctly abroad.
   Rawcliffe Sifu is a credit to his teacher, himself and to his Wing Chun brothers. His obvious years of studies, research and dedication plus his openness and willingness to share his acquired knowledge, without the need for self promotion is indeed a rare commodity.
   I am honoured to be able to review this book.

   Cheung
   Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong (SAR)




4. With over 40 years experience as student and teacher, I have not seen a better presentation of technique and philosophy. I am not a Wing Chun practitioner but Mr. Rawcliffe's diagrams and explanations have given me an excellent insight to this style.
   
   You will NOT learn Wing Chun from this book; you need a teacher for that. But if you are a Wing Chun student, I cannot think of a better reference volume to supplement your training. Other martial arts stylists can also gain valuable insights into there own brand of self-defense by a good reading of this book. Highly recommended and Mr. Rawcliffe is to be commended for setting a high standard for martial arts books.



5. Superb book! Unlike the majority of Wing Chun books which focus on specific techniques, lineage, and "trapping tricks" or "secrets" this book concisely and in my opinion accurately cuts to the heart of Wing Chun-- what makes it alive, devastating and flexible as a martial art. Rawcliffe writes clearly and eloquently, not trying to build himself up or impress. 5 stars for the information, plus another 1 star for the brevity, and yet another 1 star for the enjoyable style in which it's written. Not often you find a well deserving 7 star book!

5 comments about Complete Wing Chun: The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History and Traditions (Complete Martial Arts).

1. This book differs from other Martial Arts books along the lines of "Technique, Application" etc. The book details different lineages of Wing Chun, there history, how they differ, etc. It is more of a book not to improve your fighting but rather to learn about how Wing Chun evolved so differently.



2. The title of the book should be Incomplete rather than Complete Wing Chun. The writing on the Yip Man chapter is based on the author's biased opinion rather than objective information. The authors gave three or four version of Wing Chun history which only shows their lack of academic research. Proprigating myths and legends without coming up with thesis will only add more confusions to the wing chun world.



3. I remember seeing an article, I think by Jane Hallander, in a martial arts magazine more than a dozen years ago, with an intriguing account of a Wing Chun type style called pao fa lien. I thought it an exceptionally interesting article, and it certainly made me wonder what other forms of Wing Chun were still alive in China and its neighbouring countries. To most Westerners, Yip Man's style has become the standard when it comes to Wing Chun, and so it was fascinating to learn of the existence of other branches.
   Not only is this a groundbreaking book, but it could be the start of a new genre in martial arts books. What we have here is a fine compilation of information about no less than eight styles of Wing Chun and briefer mention of half a dozen others. The authors themselves are from diverse backgrounds and styles of wing chun, and I can only applaud their vision and maturity in working together to present such a wide range of information to the martial arts public. Very briefly, they are Robert Chu, resident in California, a practitioner of Yip Man, Gu Lao, and Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun styles; Rene Ritchie, of Eastern Canada, a student of the Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun style; and Y. Wu who resides in Singapore and practices the Nanyang and Yip Man Wing Chun styles.
   
   Since most readers are probably more familiar with the Yip Man style, I'd like to focus on the lesser known styles in this review. You'll be glad to know that pao fa lien is one of the eight styles featured in this fascinating volume, and it was the first one that I turned to when I inspected the book. We are told that the art is composed of 10 empty-hand sets, four wooden dummy sets, and over a half dozen weapon sets. The three trademark empty-hand sets of wing chun, siu nim tao (little idea), chum kiu (seeking bridge), and bui jee (darting fingers), make up the basic level of forms training. While the weapons sets focus on the familiar (at least to wing chun practitioners) long pole and double knives, there are also other weapons such as the 13 section whip, the scholar's sword, the trident, and the Kwan dao. It seems that there are two varieties of sticky hands practice within the various wing chun systems, one resembling more the pushing hands of tai chi rather than the "rolling" sticky hands that are more familiar to most of us, and the pao fa lien system uses the "tai chi" variety.
   
   Among the other little known styles is Nanyang Wing Chun, which, we are told, includes the three typical sets of wing chun, the wooden dummy training, and the typical weapons: the pole and the double knives. In addition, it has a number of other empty hand sets, one of which seems to indicate some kind of relationship between Wing Chun and white eyebrow boxing (Pak Mei). A fascinating insight was the mention of the so-called "separate techniques." In the Gu Lao style, no use is made of forms.
   
   The founder, Leung Jan, passed his style on in the form of a 40 point system. We are told on page 47, that "One should not simply look at the 40 points as techniques, but as to teach the fighting skills of wing chun. When the basics are mastered, a student can then do combinations and permutations of the techniques while moving left and right, with high or low stances, at high, middle, or low levels, to the front and back, and/or while advancing or adjusting the steps. Advanced practitioners can reach the level of being able to change and vary their movements with empty hands or the double knives."
   
   I find this emphasis on perfecting single techniques absolutely fascinating, and it fits in with what Adam Hsu has to say about the importance of perfecting single techniques in his new book, The Sword Polisher's Record, where he asks: "Is it necessary to learn forms?" We are also told in the section on Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun, that some previously "separate" techniques have been formalized into training sets. It makes me think that this movement of techniques from single, separate techniques into sets is the norm, at least in Chinese boxing styles, and would seem to indicate that most styles start with a group of separate techniques which then gradually coalesce into a set or sets.
   
   While this book is probably of most value to wing chun and jkd practitioners, I hope it will serve as a model of more comparative studies of the often amazing variety within a single system. Two related styles from Fukien, Emperor Fist, aka Grand Ancestor Fist, and Five Ancestors Fist, and on the Okinawan side, Uechi-ryu and Goju-ryu, are prime candidates for this kind of study. We need more books like this.



4. Don't be fooled by the bad reviews, this is a really great book and anyone interested in wing chun should get it



5. I liked the book a lot and finished the book in one day. I liked the stories and it was a Short concise read. There were also insights into a few of the systems such as pictures of certain postures and applications of the varied lineages.
   Although I liked the book I would not call it "Complete Wing Chun". The chapters were short and not comprehensive enough. Even though they chose a few of the major lineages, they did not go into as much detail as I would have liked. Maybe a little more detail on more of the principles and applications that set the lineages apart. I just wished that they had gone into more detail. Hopefully there will be more books on the individual lineages.

5 comments about Wing Chun Kung-fu Volume 1: Basic Forms & Principles (Chinese Martial Arts Library).

1. Dr. smith is a controvercial figure in the wing chun world. Nevertheless, his books bring up some interesting points. I would not rate this book high on the level of instruction however. He touches upon all three levels of wing chun in this book.



2. Smith does a fine job of explaining and analyzing the main principles of Wing Chun with an open mind, and then describes the 3 main forms of the Yip Man school with clear photos. He looks at Wing Chun as martial science, rather than simply "art", and I found it both refreshing and insightful. I'm always skeptical about what I read on the subject of the martial arts, so I compared his Sil Lum Tao form to the descriptions presented by several other qualified authors (Ip Chan, William Cheung, and James Yipp Lee, so far...) and it would seem to have been presented rather accurately, with only minor variations. The basic principles are all there and embodied in the form. Chum Kil and Bil Jee are also presented clearly, though I haven't cross-referenced their accuracy. Despite what others may say, I believe it is possible to learn the fundamentals, strategies, and katas or forms from books/videos, and therefore teach oneself the essence of a martial art style, an idea I credit this book with justifying. However, mastery, or even realistic applications of that knowledge require experimentation and human contact with an instructor or at least a knowledgable partner. In short, this is a useful edition to any martial artist's bookshelf, and is capable of taking you as far as the printed medium will allow (with dedicated practice, of course).



3. As a Martial artist for over a decade now i was suprised to read a book that wasn't just an advertisment for somebodys school. He puts forward interesting theories and lets you decide to take away what if anything you wish .

   Ps begginers in martial arts should never, never, try to larn from books its just bad news trust me, unlearning is ten times harder than learning get out there and do some research and find a good techer.




4. I believe that every man will choose what he will wish to train in. Whether it be Wing Chung, or Jujistu. The thing that will make that man is character and values, Joseph is simply stating the princilpe of Wing Chung. We all know that it goes much deaper than just seeing pictures, and working through two man drills. True Wing Chun is way of life and could never be depicted by a book........



5. This series of books were put together by Smith as if he came up with this branch of thinking. He didn't but he puts forward the idea that he did. The pictures don't show Smith at all, they show Grandmaster "Felix Leong" who resides in Adelaide, who I don't think is ever mentioned in any of the books but deserves the credit. Basically what you get is Felix doing his thing and someone attempting to analyse it. Smith does a reasonable job but these books have major flaws in their sequencing of photo's. There are still many valuable tips contained within the pages and worth every cent. No book will ever replace going to a real master anyway especially Felix. If you're in Adelaide drop in to Sifu Felix's centre in Hinley Street. His linage is from three schools: Hong Kong- Grandmaster Yip Chun; Foshan- Grandmaster Pan Nam; Guongzhou: Grandmaster Sum Nung and Lei Chi Wah. He has a major focus on sticky hands (chi-sao) and free sparring and students can come in any time of the day and train. I once was his student until I moved away from Adelaide and have never found anyone adequate to replace him. I understand that this is typical of anyone blabbing about their first master but still, there are many students there who have blackbelts in other arts before doing WC and rave about Felix and WC.[..]

5 comments about Wing Chun Martial Arts: Principles & Techniques.

1. Though this book provides a thourough demonstration of the Wing Chun form, it lacks detail and technique. The technique demonstrated by Yip Chun is sloppy at best (like all students of the Yip Man branch of Wing Chun). His stance is lazy, waek, and provides a poor foundation to build apon. His hand work is sloppy and ineffective. I'd hate to see what would happen to him if he fought against a well trained master of Wing Chun. This is an OK book to use as a reference to learn the sequence of the Wing Chun forms and the theories of the style, but the techniques demonstrated in the book are junk. His hands are not in proper positions most of the time, causing him to lose the structure that forms the foundation of Wing Chun. I was very disappointed with how poor the details of his form were in this book. Check out the videos "Wing Chun Today by Jason Lau" part I and II. Sifu Lau is probably the most talented and most well respected Grand Master of Wing Chun. His form is the best in the world and his videos show the proper use of the form.



2. I am a Wing Chun student. My master learned Wing Chun from a student of Yip Man. This book shows the way Wing Chun is practiced by Yip Man. It is a very technical book and has to be studied carefully to understand it. No one that has never practiced the art should try to understand the book without first having hands on experience. It is a very complicated art. To the reader from Kennesaw, GA United States: You probably were taught that the style you are practicing is the best. Regardless of what style anyone practice we have to recognize one of the best expositioners of the art: Sifu Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was a student of Yip Man and it was his first martial art. From it he developed Yun Fan Kung Fu or Jeet Kun Do. Do not say that any style is sloppy. Remember the best fighters are always obscure. This book is great if you know the basics of Wing Chun taught by a master.



3. I wanted to learn and was expecting to learn Sil Lum Tao. I could not learn it from this book. Intellectually it was a good read and I truly like the translation of the Confucius Art of Mean. But if you want to learn to perform Sil Lum Tao purchase Wing Chun: The Science of In-Fighting DVD (excellent) and "Wing chun kung fu: traditional Chinese kung fu for self defense and health" by Ip chun (very good). These are much better introductory resources. I am still glad I own the book.



4. This book had a lot about nothing. Knowing that Wing Chun has lots of color and depth this book really doesn't do Wing Chun justice.



5. This reads more like an introduction to the art of Wing Chun ratehr than a book covering the "principles". So much is left out. It would be better presented as Vol I, and then have the authors do a more comprehensive series. Just a suggestion.

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

1. A good read and good illustration of Sil Lum Tao. It was most helpful with Wing Chun: The Science of In-Fighting DVD. With out the DVD I would not have been able to learn Sil Lum Tao. A fun read. I am glad I own it.



2. 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.



3. ...one might correct a few mistakes by following this book. 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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

No comments about Mastering Wing Chun Kung Fu.

5 comments about Wing Chun Kung-Fu.

1. This book sadly, is the only book written by James Yimm Lee which is still widely available to the public. Considered a classic, this was, unfortunately, James Yimm Lee's last book. James Lee was an avid student of physical culture as well as one of T.Y. Wong's Sil Lum students during the 1950's and early 1960's. He also befriended, influenced and was influenced by a young man by the name of Jun Fan "Bruce" Lee. In return for teaching Bruce how to break bricks, Bruce taught James a popular for of Chinese boxing called "Wing Chun". James Lee also helped Bruce publish his first book, "Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defence" in the early 1960's.
   
   Still considered one of the finest introductions to Wing Chun, James Lee teaches Hong Kong's no-nonsense brand of boxing learned from his friend, Bruce Lee. As with all traditional Chinese Gung Fu schools, not every practitioner demonstrates the form precisely like every other practitioner, so no matter your school of Wing Chun (or Ving Tsun, Wing Tsun, etc), you will probably see SOME variation in form.
   
   While it may not be possible for the novice to learn precise movements from a book alone, the skilled martial artist may at least gain a better understanding of Wing Chun's patterns of movement. This book covers the basics of the art, including no-nonsense explanations for the theory of facing, and economy of movement. As usual, numerous crisp sequence photos from this publisher do not disappoint. Front and side views of the complete first form of Wing Chun, Sil Lum Tao (little idea form). This is the form Bruce Lee taught before he began to consider discontinue the use of static forms in training. A classic worth considering.



2. whatever your view of this book,it is important to make sure you have the book in its entirety. i purchase this book on Amazon. The version i got was missing 32 pages. the pages go from 1-32 then it repeats pages 1-32 then it jumps to page 65. it is missin pages 33-64. make sure yo ask the sellers to verify that their editions don't have this problem.



3. This book is pretty thorough. It shows all the basics via 100s of pictures.



4. The book is mostly of applications, but some of them seem to be against principle. This might be because of the fact that the author was not actually trained in Wing Chun. Even though Bruce was a had a part in the book, it still seemed like a departure from real Wing Chun. I liked the many applications, but most of them can be found in good Jeet Kune Do books. There isn't much on the system and of it's principles. If you love Bruce and his followers or just looking to see applications then this is an OK book. I just like to collect Wing Chun Books.



5. GREAT BOOCK ON THE FIRST FORM SI LIM TAO. THIS IS THE AUTHENTIC YIP MAN FORM. WITH SOME GOOD APLICATIONS TO. GREAT BOOK. IF YOU WANT THE REAL THING THIS IS IT. LOOK UP YIP MAN MPEG VIDIO CLIP THIS IS THE SAME FORM TOUGHT IN THIS BOOK! GET IT LERN IT APPLY IT!

5 comments about The Wing Chun Compendium.

1. This is a very good reference book that breaks down the form very well. As learning martial arts from any book is hard, this is a great companion if you are taking lessons from a certified instructor. The author's insight and perspective are top notch.



2. It is simply one of the best books on the market on Wing Chun style Kung Fu.
   You cannot go wrong purchasing this book.



3. "Everything should be done as simple as possible, but not simpler"
   The book starts with this Albert Einstein phrase, and Mr Belonoha does it very well when writing his book.
   
   I am new to wing chun, I've been training since last september, and bought this book to get to know the background and philosophy of this art. It has been very helpful for learning the names of techniques, understanding the basis af a certain move or technique, where and how to employ it,
   and to get a general view of this great martial art. GREAT BOOK



4. Not the best organization. Very detailed and covers lots of information. Doesnt cover dummy form...Odd



5. Being a student for 13 yrs, it was good to find a book that covered so many topics of wing chun and his approach to it all. While I may not agree with a lot the author had to write, too much outdated info, he stayed faithful to the minimal of the art...namely a good description of the forms. The photos and explanations may help someone who forgot how to do the forms. Otherwise not much else if you never practiced wing chun.