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Kung Fu: History, Philosophy, and Technique
1982, trade paperback reprint edition, Unique Publications, Burbank, CA. 228 pages. Nicely printed. Tons of black and white photos / illustrations. Well done title shows style / history / and the Westernization of Kung Fu. some of the photos / discussions here include needles through cheeks and caning. Just so you know.
228 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 12, 2009
2009-07-15 -- I saw a reference to this book as a good start for the history of Kung Fu. Written in 77, it is a direct response to public interest in Kung Fu inspired by the television show of that name. I will be interested to see how the history presented here compares with more recent books, written with more sources available.
2009-08-11 -- Interesting ancient history, and interesting perspective of America receiving Kung Fu in the 70s. The book wasn't put together very well, but there was obviously a lot of effort put into gathering and recording a great deal of information.
2009-08-11 -- Interesting ancient history, and interesting perspective of America receiving Kung Fu in the 70s. The book wasn't put together very well, but there was obviously a lot of effort put into gathering and recording a great deal of information.
March 31, 2007
Excellent book, so far, I like what I have read. This book is very informative without being boring. If you are a practitioner or just a fan of Kung Fu, this book should definitely be added to your list.
October 26, 2019
Not a bad work. It covered a lot of basic soft and hard styles. It focused a little on chin na because that was the authors' main interest. Some philosophical and ethical questions were raised, but it was definitely a product of 1982 because it speculated on the future of martial arts in China in the wake of the Cultural Revolution. Chapter on 'Kung Fu Hits Entertainment' was most interesting.
January 11, 2022
This book is so fkin cool. It repeatedly gives examples of how you can take your body to impossible limits, so long as you take a step in that direction every day.
December 5, 2018
I found this in an unassuming second hand bookshop tucked on a side street behind the sea front - for a biblophile - an (increasingly :-( ) rare, but much welcome pleasure!
Through reading the preface I didn't have particularly high expectations, but the density of material in later chapters belied this lack of faith. It appears the authors motivations for writing were driven out of viewer enquiries made to the production company of the U.S. hit TV series 'Kung-Fu'.
I'm impressed by the density of referenced material that the authors have sifted through (although I haven't checked the primary references!) - especially in respect of recounting the arrival of Bodhidharma and his propagation of Ch'an buddhism in China that later lead to the development of Shaolin Kung-Fu or more correctly Wu-Shu). Chapter 3 tackles the contribution of Taoism to the beginings of Kung-Fu, especially in respect of the founder of Tai-Chi Ch'uan: Chang San-feng and the concept of 'Wu-Wei' which is often interpreted as 'nonaction' but would be closer for the Taoist to '...an unresisting attitude that he adopts as he abides and communes with nature'.
Having moved through chapters 4 - 'External styles of Kung-Fu' which catalogues popular styles of Kung-Fu (e.g. Wing Chun inter alia others), chapter 5 is an altogether different beast where one of the authors (David Chow) describes his study, practice and indeed lists the qualities required of a martial artist practicing Chin'Na. Chin'Na is an unusual form of Kung-fu in so far that it is in essence a grappling art (not disimilar to Ju-Jitsu). In fact I would go as far to say that from the photographs and documentation of the techniques of Chin'Na, it looks very, very similar to the style of Ju-Jitsu I learn't (i.e. Jitsu Foundation - Shorinj Kan style). This shouldn't surprise anyone, as in certain quarters the unverifiable claim (at least as far as I know) that Chinese monks travelled to the Japanese mainland teaching a form of grappling that became Ju-Jitsu is widely expounded.
Chapter 6 focuses on the 'Dynamics of Kung' and moreover starts to chart the landscape of 'Internal' styles of Kung-Fu relying on the development of Ch'i. This chapter points to some rather esoteric practices in the development of different styles of kung-fu that seem rather unrealistic. Chapter 7 is a nice summary of the explosive impact wu-shu made in the minds of the American (and indeed UK) public in the early 70's. Chapter 8 talks of the westernisation of kung-fu and it's development beyond the then then present. Looking at this in retrospect, it's difficult to see much integration of kung-fu styles - as a sometimes practioner of Wing Chun there are still many organisations with individuals citing their own style as the 'correct' one. However, the chapter also returns to the philosophical / religious (buddhist, taoist) roots of kung-fu and I find this particularly pleasing as my own belief is that systems of martial arts were set up as vehicles for cultivation of one's spirit and character and this appears to be borne out by the text here. Similarly, there are some nice quotes (a little too lengthy to reproduce here) concerning Ch'i (page 211, 2nd para). Chapter 9 concludes with some philosophical vignettes. All in all, I think a must read for anyone with an interest in the 'eastern' roots of martial arts.
Through reading the preface I didn't have particularly high expectations, but the density of material in later chapters belied this lack of faith. It appears the authors motivations for writing were driven out of viewer enquiries made to the production company of the U.S. hit TV series 'Kung-Fu'.
I'm impressed by the density of referenced material that the authors have sifted through (although I haven't checked the primary references!) - especially in respect of recounting the arrival of Bodhidharma and his propagation of Ch'an buddhism in China that later lead to the development of Shaolin Kung-Fu or more correctly Wu-Shu). Chapter 3 tackles the contribution of Taoism to the beginings of Kung-Fu, especially in respect of the founder of Tai-Chi Ch'uan: Chang San-feng and the concept of 'Wu-Wei' which is often interpreted as 'nonaction' but would be closer for the Taoist to '...an unresisting attitude that he adopts as he abides and communes with nature'.
Having moved through chapters 4 - 'External styles of Kung-Fu' which catalogues popular styles of Kung-Fu (e.g. Wing Chun inter alia others), chapter 5 is an altogether different beast where one of the authors (David Chow) describes his study, practice and indeed lists the qualities required of a martial artist practicing Chin'Na. Chin'Na is an unusual form of Kung-fu in so far that it is in essence a grappling art (not disimilar to Ju-Jitsu). In fact I would go as far to say that from the photographs and documentation of the techniques of Chin'Na, it looks very, very similar to the style of Ju-Jitsu I learn't (i.e. Jitsu Foundation - Shorinj Kan style). This shouldn't surprise anyone, as in certain quarters the unverifiable claim (at least as far as I know) that Chinese monks travelled to the Japanese mainland teaching a form of grappling that became Ju-Jitsu is widely expounded.
Chapter 6 focuses on the 'Dynamics of Kung' and moreover starts to chart the landscape of 'Internal' styles of Kung-Fu relying on the development of Ch'i. This chapter points to some rather esoteric practices in the development of different styles of kung-fu that seem rather unrealistic. Chapter 7 is a nice summary of the explosive impact wu-shu made in the minds of the American (and indeed UK) public in the early 70's. Chapter 8 talks of the westernisation of kung-fu and it's development beyond the then then present. Looking at this in retrospect, it's difficult to see much integration of kung-fu styles - as a sometimes practioner of Wing Chun there are still many organisations with individuals citing their own style as the 'correct' one. However, the chapter also returns to the philosophical / religious (buddhist, taoist) roots of kung-fu and I find this particularly pleasing as my own belief is that systems of martial arts were set up as vehicles for cultivation of one's spirit and character and this appears to be borne out by the text here. Similarly, there are some nice quotes (a little too lengthy to reproduce here) concerning Ch'i (page 211, 2nd para). Chapter 9 concludes with some philosophical vignettes. All in all, I think a must read for anyone with an interest in the 'eastern' roots of martial arts.
March 17, 2011
I don't have the exact read start and finish dates on many books I have read this year. The dates are approximated, as I have been in & out of the hospital, and on bed rest, and read 2-5 books a day depending on the book & length and my ability to focus. All dates are approximated, by month.
February 3, 2017
There were some interesting parts to this book, particularly the history section of the different styles of Kung-Fu.
Am I more dangerous than before i read it... only if I use the stiff spine of the book to hit someone!
Am I more dangerous than before i read it... only if I use the stiff spine of the book to hit someone!
July 7, 2008
A great comprehensive look at all that is gung-fu
July 29, 2008
Yeah good overview from various angles
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews