The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts)
by Wong Kiew Kit
List Price:
Our Price: $7.44
You Save: $12.51 (63%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $6.45 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Wong Kiew KitEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-11-15
ISBN: 0804834393
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Book Reviews of The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts)
Book Review: Excellent intro to kung fu
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably the best introduction to kung fu I've seen. Most of the books out there are usually devoted to a particular style, presenting their techniques and maybe a form or two, but this is a more educational and scholarly book intended to give you a better overall understanding of the art. The author discusses the history, concepts, styles, training methods, different styles (both internal and external) and philosophies of many of the different kung fu styles, both well known and not so well known (such as the fairly secretive and obscure southern praying mantis, which is much less known that it's northern counterpart. In addition to the well written text, there are illustration sequences showing a Shaolin hand set and a 5 animals form.
The author is assiduous in using the full terminology, so you get exposed to all the Chinese names for the different techniques, in both English and Chinese (which was useful to me, because I still haven't memorized all the name yet). In fact, many of the names are slightly longer or more description than the previous ones I knew, so I suspect the other kung fu books I've read often use more convenient, shorter terminology.
I was especially interested in the history of the some of the more famous styles, such as Lohan (five ancestor), praying mantis, northern long fist, choy li fut, and the Wudang or internal styles such as ba gua and tai chi. The histories seemed very thorough and I learned a lot, especially considering I already knew the history of some of the styles already to some extent. There are actually three history related chapters, one discussing the earliest history, going back perhaps 2000 years, the period from early Shaolin to the development of tai chi, and later developments.
One caution, you might have to get used to the author using slightly different names for the styles. I study hung gar, for example, and in the book it's refered to as hongjiaquan, which just means hong or hung style fist. I'm used to the main five southern family styles being refered to as hung, choy, liu, mok, and fu, follow by the word "gar," but since he says he's discussing the southern family styles you can figure that out on your own.
There's also a brief but nice discussion of the internal arts and their concepts. Their history is discussed in one of their history sections. I've studied yang and wu style tai chi but didn't know the history of each style as well as I should (although I do know my own lineage pretty well, of course), and this book was helpful there too.
The author discusses beginning and advanced training techniques, the development of sparring skills, how to deal with less skilled vs. more skilled opponents, the difference between superior skill and superior power and energy, skill vs. true mastery in the development of technique (the highest level being in a sense "no technique."
In addition, the author also has many pieces of advice on how to train and the sequence of training, the difference between power and speed and how best to develop them, how to practice the individual techniques and forms, and many other useful tidbits of information about kung fu.
Another final thing I liked about the history is the stories about some of the most famous historical figures, such as General Yue Fei (who is credited with inventing both hsing i and eagle claw), Sun Lu Tang (an important figure in all three of the internal arts), and Wong Fe Hong, a famous hero of the Chinese people and a great practitoner of hung gar.
Whether you're a relative beginner or even more advanced practitioner of kung fu, you'll probably find this book useful for learning more about the subject.
More The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts) reviews:
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
Summary of The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts)
This unique book offers a comprehensive and practical introduction to kung fu and all the other aspects of Shaolin wisdom. An inspirational read, it shows how kung fu and other Shaolin arts can bring you health, vitality, and spiritual joy. It includes many practical exercises and meditation techniques and provides a fascinating history of various styles of kung fu, how kung fu patterns and sets are constructed, and the strategies for victory developed. This is a seminal guide which will be invaluable to everyone interested in martial arts, meditation, stress management, healing, and spiritual development.
Martial Arts Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Martial Arts Books
Dictionary of the Martial Artsby Louis Frederic
Athlone Press; Published: 2000-12; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.51
Price in other shops:
Be Like Water: Practical Wisdom from the Martial Artsby Joseph Cardillo
Grand Central Publishing; Published: 2003-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops:
On Boxingby Joyce Carol Oates
Pan; Published: 1988; Paperback; Book
Aikido: Coordination of Mind and Body for Self Defenceby Koichi Tohei
Souvenir Press Ltd; Published: 1966-09-01; Hardcover; Book
Dojo Wisdom for Mothers: 100 Simple Ways to Become a Calmer, Happier, More Lovingby Jennifer Lawler
Penguin (Non-Classics); Published: 2005-03-29; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.95
Price in other shops:
Official WTF Taekwondoby David Mitchell
Ebury Press; Published: 1996; Paperback; Book
15-Minute Tai Chi: Strong Body, Still Mind (15 Minute)by John Ding, Alan Ding
Thorsons; Published: 2003-09-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.55
Price in other shops:
Ghosts Of Manila The Fateful Blood Feud Between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazierby Mark Kram
New York, NY HarperCollins; Published: 2001; Hardcover; Book
I Am Jackie Chanby Jackie Chan
Macmillan; Published: 1999-03-12; Paperback; Book
Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese King Fu for Self-Defense and Healthby Ip Chun, Michael Tse
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 1998-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Artsby Sang H. Kim
Turtle Press; Published: 2004-01-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $13.22
Price in other shops:
Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese King Fu for Self-Defense and Healthby Ip Chun, Michael Tse
St. Martin's Griffin; Published: 1998-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Vital Point Strikes: The Art and Science of Striking Vital Targets for Self-defense and Combat Sportsby Sang H. Kim
Turtle Press; Published: 2008-06-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $19.35
Price in other shops:
The Art of Chi Kung: Making the Most of Your Vital Energyby Wong Kiew Kit
Cosmos Press; Published: 2004-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.93
Price in other shops:
Instant Health: The Shaolin Qigong Workout For Longevityby Shifu Yan Lei
Yan Lei Press; Published: 2009-11-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $16.10
Price in other shops:
The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice (Tuttle Martial Arts)by Wong Kiew Kit
Tuttle Publishing; Published: 2002-11-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.41
Price in other shops:
The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Artsby Meir Shahar
Hawaii University Press; University of Hawaii Press; Published: 2008-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $22.71
Price in other shops:
Authentic Shaolin Heritage: Training Methods Of 72 Arts Of Shaolinby Jin Jing Zhong, Andrew Timofeevich
CreateSpace; Published: 2008-12-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $29.22
Price in other shops:
Shaolin Kung Fu Fundamental TrainingRelease date: 2011-12-01; DVD
Best price: $29.72
Price in other shops:
The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Wayby Shi Yan Ming
Rodale Books; Published: 2006-05-16; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $3.99
Price in other shops: