Introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu Paperback – 12 Aug. 2010

This relatively thin book is certainly not a comprehensive guide to Shaolin Kungfu, nor really a beginners guide. It gives a short history of this martial art and the various schools, and very useful insight into the importance of some of the basic training such as stances.It describes a single set of about 36 patterns, but the real value is that it explains the meaning behind the patterns, and potential uses for them. It also gives a few techniques for countering specific attacks. There is a short section summarising the various traditional kungfu weapons.It does not attempt to cover the full range of technciques (strikes, kicks, locks etc) - only those that appear in the dragon-tiger set.A western reader may be unconvinced by the focus on chi and other traditional eastern concepts, but this doesn't detract from the rest of the material.Overall, some valuable insights for existing kungfu students.

I wish i had not sold my copy of this book now i miss it so much. It is absolutely brilliant the moves are just out of this world i think i might have to buy another copy.

Ok as you can see in all the reviews this is a good book about a small part of kung fu, it gives you a great history on kung fu on how it started and how it has split up into different schools I.E. tah shen school which is specailised in monkey and Tang Lang school which specailises in praying mantis (thats the chain of schools i train under)BUT this book is not and introduction, as everybody who does kung fu should know is that the first thing you learn are the stretches and the first BASIC stances, punches and kicks this book does not give them, its gives a FEW stances which do come in your first grading but not all of them, it is also all about the dragon-tiger set which is a advanced set which u will only have to learn when your past a black belt but dont let this review put you off i have gave it 4 stars out of 5 becuz it is a good book i just dont think that overall its a introduction to kung fu.

This fantastic book by Wong Kiew Kit covers all the basics and more. It starts off with a very interesting history of the Shaolin kung fu system, including it's aims and morals. The book then covers preliminary exercises and basic stances. This book contains a step by step tutorial to teach you the full Dragon-Tiger set which includes 36 patterns. There are also detailed meanings for each pattern. Further more there are sections on force training and chinese weaponry. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in kung fu, shaolin or martial arts in general. Being a beginner myself I can tell you how much this book has helped me understand Shaolin kung fu. Learning all the moves step by step is a thorough joy, and Wong Kiew Kit will have you training non stop. This is a great book and is even worth double the price tag. If shaolin or kung fu is your thing, buy this book now!!!

When I received this book last christmas I thought to myself 'Oh wicked, a book with a nice picture on the front' but thats not just where it ends as is the case with some of this type of book. I started to thumb the pages and to my delight found it to be very expressive and well communicative in what it was aiming to show. It is a book for those who are interested in the first form of the dragon meets tiger form of Shaolin kung-fu, but it has a very good range of diagrams, methods on how to learn this set and also some extra things on strengthening techniques. The main plus point in this books favour is that not only do you learn with ease, you are guided into each move and through it with careful consideration, and also with a little section describing uses and philosophies behind each particular step of the form. An excellent training aid.

Although a little extreme for people who just want to know more, this bookis perfect for someone who really wants to get into Shaolin. Amazingdescription, photos and diagrams. This book gives a short history onShaolin schools, excercises to improve strength, stamina and balance and alarge section taken up by a step-by-step sequence of moves. I would saythat this book is perfect for beginners (who dont expect to become aMaster by the end of the book) but i would recommend buying a second bookalong with this one to further your background knowledge before hurlingyourself into learning the moves.

I brought this book to find out a little about martial arts as it looked like a good all-rounder. When I started reading the book however, I found that Although I had not wanted to join any classes before, I was now enroled on a Shaolin Kung Fu course. The book has definately given me a much greater appreciation of martial arts as a whole, and has helped no-end in my practical application. If you are interested in martial arts in any way, get this book. Even if you don't think you want to take your interest very far, Wong Kiew Kit is sure to suprise you.