Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey: A Historic Survey by

The Nile on eBay   Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey by Elizabeth Nai-Jia Guo, Brian P. Kennedy

Secret training manuals, magic swords, and flying kung fu masters—these are staples of Chinese martial arts movies and novels, but only secret manuals have a basis in reality. Chinese martial arts masters of the past did indeed write such works, along with manuals for the general public. This collection introduces Western readers to the rich and diverse tradition of these influential texts, rarely available to the English-speaking reader.Authors Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo, who coauthor a regular column for "Classical Fighting Arts "magazine, showcase illustrated manuals from the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, and the Republican period. Aimed at fans, students, and practitioners, the book explains the principles, techniques, and forms of each system while also placing them in the wider cultural context of Chinese martial arts. Individual chapters cover the history of the manuals, Taiwanese martial arts, the lives and livelihoods of the masters, the Imperial military exams, the significance of the Shaolin Temple, and more. Featuring a wealth of rare photographs of great masters as well as original drawings depicting the intended forms of each discipline, this book offers a multifaceted portrait of Chinese martial arts and their place in Chinese culture.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Secret training manuals, magic swords, and kung fu masters flying through the air: these are the stock motifs of Chinese martial arts movies and novels. Secret manuals, unlike the many other movie motifs, actually do have a basis in reality. Chinese martial arts masters of the past did indeed write secret training manuals, as well as training manuals made available to the general public. An invaluable source of information about China's martial arts past, this collection of training manuals introduces the West to many of these previously unpublished photographs of great masters and original drawings depicting the intended forms of Chinese martial arts. The lavishly illustrated book covers Chinese martial arts training manuals from over thirty historical masters.The text teaches the principles, techniques, and forms of a martial arts system and also places these training manuals in the wider cultural context of Chinese martial arts, with chapters on such topics as the history of the manuals, Chinese martial arts historians, the history of Taiwanese martial arts, the livelihoods of Chinese martial artists, the Imperial military exams, the place of the Shaolin Temple in Chinese martial arts history, and Chinese martial arts systems classifications.An outstanding history of Chinese martial arts training manuals and the general social context of Chinese martial arts, the book offers something for both the general reader unfamiliar with Chinese martial arts and the seasoned student of martial arts looking for historical information on the famous masters.

Author Biography

Brian L. Kennedy, an attorney, has practiced Chinese martial arts since 1976 and has recently begun studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His previous books, which appeared in Chinese, include Witness Examination Skills, the official reference for Taiwan's prosecutors and trial judges, and Legal Ethics. Elizabeth Nai-Jia Guo is a professional translator living in Taiwan. She is a practitioner of qi gong and hatha yoga. She has translated a wide range of books into Chinese including titles on church architecture, the history of science, and criminal law. Guo and Kennedy co-author a regular column for Classical Fighting Arts magazine.

Review

"This book provides considerable information on Chinese martial arts history, particularly of the Republican era, its personages, and manuals not previously available in English. It also covers topics, including those related to Shaolin Monastery and Taoism, in a down to earth, common sense manner.... Overall, Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals successfully achieves the author's purpose, expressed in the epilogue: '[To serve] as an informative and interesting introduction to this rich facet of Chinese martial art culture.'"--Stanley E. Henning, China Review International

Review Quote

"This book provides considerable information on Chinese martial arts history, particularly of the Republican era, its personages, and manuals not previously available in English. It also covers topics, including those related to Shaolin Monastery and Taoism, in a down to earth, common sense manner.... Overall,Chinese Martial Arts Training Manualssuccessfully achieves the author's purpose, expressed in the epilogue: '[To serve] as an informative and interesting introduction to this rich facet of Chinese martial art culture.'" -Stanley E. Henning,China Review International

Details ISBN1583941940 Short Title CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING Pages 328 Publisher Blue Snake Books Language English ISBN-10 1583941940 ISBN-13 9781583941942 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 796.809 Illustrations Yes Year 2007 Publication Date 2007-12-31 Author Brian P. Kennedy Edition 2nd Imprint North Atlantic Books,U.S. Subtitle A Historic Survey Place of Publication Berkeley, CA Country of Publication United States Replaces 9781556435577 DOI 10.1604/9781583941942 Edited by Guo, Elizabeth Audience General/Trade We've got this

At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it.With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love!

TheNile_Item_ID:141748059;