We all know you can't learn kung fu from books, but just thinking it might be interesting to get a list/discussion about good/bad kung fu books people have read.I'm looking for some at the moment,so recommendations will be useful.
I've picked up a few books along the way. I agree it would be very hard to learn from the books really but that doesn't mean I've anything negative to say about them. I have:- Shaolin Long Fist by Yang Jwing-Ming Drunken Monkey Kung Fu by Dr Leung Ting (this style would be more difficult than most to learn from a book!!) Bruce Lees Fighting method series (more about practical attack and defence, I like these) I'm always on the lookout for new books on different styles just out of a general interest really.
Books are a great reference to a style you already do. Also a good book will give you a glimpse of a styles particular flavor. A few Kung Fu books that I have on the shelf ..... 1. Tao Of Jeet Kune Do- Bruce Lee 2. Hung Gar Kung Fu- Buck Sam Kong 3. Dynamic art of Choy Li Fut- Lee Koon Hung 4. Kung Fu: History, Philosophy and Technique- David Chow 5. Seven Star Praying Mantis- Lee Kam Wing I have more at home but these were the first I could think of.
I have a few books I reference all the time! This is one thought i have about on computer books they just do not allow as much interaction! Let me see well! I at one time had each of those mentioned above!
There are some others I forgot to mention I have.... The art of expressing the human body - Bruce Lee The tao of gung fu - Bruce Lee Letters of the dragon - Bruce Lee I've also a couple of travel type books that aren't instructional, American Shaolin - Matt Polly (good book, see books area of forum) Bruce Lee & Me - Brian Preston (too much UFC in this one for me, I'm not a big fan of it)
I DID have the Expressing the Body one by Lee, but I lent it to my sifu and haven't got it back yet! Just having a look on Amazon and there is some decent stuff around, may have to invest in some more
Shaolin Grandmasters' Text Hi, I would highly recommend Shaolin Grandmasters' Text: History, Philosophy, and Gung Fu of Shaolin Ch'an by the Shaolin Ch'an: www.amazon.co.uk/Shaolin-Grandmaste...9223052?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187434811&sr=1-3 This is a well-written book for anyone curious about kung fu. Cheers
Chinese Fast Wrestling for Fighting is REALLY good. The Sword Polisher's record by Adam Hsu is interesting.
Ah ha! Nearly bought the Chinese Fast Wrestling book in Borders today! Will have to look on Amazon marketplace for it now
I used to have The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and Chow's book on Kung Fu. They didn't make it in the move to the new apartment back in 2003. I'll be repurchasing Chow's book, but not the Bruce Lee book (I am so not into him anymore). I have: Chen Style Taijiquan - The Source fo Taiji Boxing by Sim & Gaffney. Tai Chi Chuan Principal and Practice by C.K. Chiu. (Autographed by him personally when I was his student for a month. Work schedule and travel time prevented me from continuing).
I use to think that way about Bruce to cause of how he treated people. Than i let it go you know, I started to see God in everything. Excuse the religious reference, I in no way meant to sound like a bible thumper. Just I realized to each there own regardless of there own over self aggrandizement. I also got rid of all of Bruce's stuff to. The odd thing is I do like what Dan Insanto(SP?) has out, especially in Kali and Escrime. If i listed all my books it would take for ever. Pakua by Jerry Allen Johnson and Joseph Crandell well that was as far as my memory goes right now. Qasim I agree on Bruce.
The Pa Kua book referenced above is a good one. I also have "Hsing I" by James McNeil. It's good reference material.
''simplified capture skills'' is a good one too. Had that for a while now. scroll down. http://www.plumpub.com/sales/kungfu/collbk_Chinna.htm also most of the others look really good too on that page.
KenpoDavid Please don't advertise here. Please go through the proper MAP channels. You have been warned about this several times before. Su Lin
I just got the Fast Wrestling book, looking forward to reading it! The bf is reading it first so he may have new "tricks" to try out on me!