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walden2ite's review
4.0
This was an interesting overview of the history of kung fu through the Shaolin temple. It showed how both Buddhism and Taoism influenced it's history and how China reacted to it's development.
davissandefur's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very interesting. Offering a descriptive, in-depth look at the martial arts in China, focused specifically on those of the Shaolin Monaster, it shows how the arts have changed and incorporated other techniques, such as Daoist longevity techniques, up until the Ming-Qing transition.
The book is well-reasearched, and discusses even the origin myths of the Shaolin martial arts. It puts the monastery in context within greater China, mentioning the times the monks went off to fight in war, as well as many steles dedicated to these monks. It also talks about the evolution of the art, from their staff methods through to the switch to more unarmed methods, putting all of this in focus with how the martial arts changed in greater China as well, such as the drift from warfare to self-cultivation.
Overall, a very recommended read for anyone interested in the arts of Shaolin, or of China in particular, using Shaolin as a specific point of emphasis.
The book is well-reasearched, and discusses even the origin myths of the Shaolin martial arts. It puts the monastery in context within greater China, mentioning the times the monks went off to fight in war, as well as many steles dedicated to these monks. It also talks about the evolution of the art, from their staff methods through to the switch to more unarmed methods, putting all of this in focus with how the martial arts changed in greater China as well, such as the drift from warfare to self-cultivation.
Overall, a very recommended read for anyone interested in the arts of Shaolin, or of China in particular, using Shaolin as a specific point of emphasis.
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