Book Description

Customer Reviews (11)

Legendary
This book is severely a good work of literature, read this classic story of a humble fighter who never fights and is forced into a battle he doesn't want.Please go and buy this you wont be sorry.

Blood and Guts inHigh School
Was it only a year ago that Ryan Gattis' KUNG FU HIGH SCHOOL was published?It seems like eternity, for such was its impact on literature that nowadays I think of the world of writing as divided into two parts, BRG and ARG, before and after Ryan Gattis.Just as his predecessor, William Gaddis, launched his majestic THE RECOGNITIONS on an unsuspecting American public in 1955, the young Gattis, whoi had written only one book before, a limited edition not even published in his own country, hit the ground running telling the story of Jen B., a heroic teen in an American high school only slightly magnified from our own.Gangs rule the campus, and everyone gets "kicked in" as a matter of course by martial arts specialists, for in MLK High 95 per cent of the student body know some sort of ju jitsu or aikido or whatever.

The other five percent, Jen B. explains, are just super big and can get by on sheer size.Into this stressful environment her sexy cousin Jimmy Chang moves into town, and since he made a sacred vow to his mother never to fight again, he gets beat up royally and Jen's brother Cue gets mixed up in the melee.In my town, people have worn out their copies of KUNG FU HIGH SCHOOL memorizing the big fight scenes, and at Burning Man earlier this month several "rival" associations of artists re-staged some of Gattis' bloodiest, most organ-popping moments.It was like having Armageddon explode in your school locker.

Already a cult classic, KUNG FU HIGH SCHOOL will attain FIGHT CLUB status when the inevitable movie is made, or I don't know, maybe by then people will have tired of the whole high school is a battlefield metaphor.My friends and I speculate if Ryan and his brother ever were actually street type kids, or were they the onlookers who see more of the game then the kids who OD in the boys room.Jen B . is sort of a sweet cross between Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Aniston, however, she is only fifteen and it is a little pervy of Ryan to get into her head so thoroughly, especially her unlikely crush on her light-brown eyed cousin Jimmy Chang.He is like Christ in two respects, his initials (sort of like Faulkner's LIGHT IN AUGUST) and his willingness to sacrifice himself so that other kids could live a happy life.

Kung Fu
This was an amazing book but it's not written for everyone.If your only experience with violence has been through the television- you may not get this book.But if you have a personal history with violence the details used to explain everything from the taste of blood, the sound of broken bone to the inability to comprehend/deal with death at a moment's notice, this book will make so much sense to you you'll want to weep.
I don't cry at books but this one almost got me.I was amazed to find out the author was a white male since the narrative is done through a half Chicana girl's perspective- and he nails it.I really loved how the character was built- violence and pain she understands, loyalty but love and basic human emotions that don't relate to pain- are a mystery she really doesn't have time for.
The showdown at the end, like any good story, has to happen- someone has to try to bring down the most corrupt and evil or how can we establish who is the hero?But what made me love this book was that it didn't make the evil stop at the drug king pin- it went all the way up from principal, to police to the media to the communtiy that pretended Kung Fu didn't exist.
The fight sequences are amazing- it's unsettling how true to life they are sometimes.I recommend this book to anyone with a pulse- I don't guarantee you'll like or understand it.But I loved it.

(3.5) A Very Stylized Book
Kung Fu High School is not a book for everyone.Personally, I enjoyed reading it, but I felt like I really didn't take anything valuable from reading.Its entertainment value is high, but its intellectual level has more to be desired.

The story is narrated by Jen B. a student at Martin Luther King High, which has been given the nickname Kung Fu High since it has been taken over by a drug-running 23-year old senior named Ridley, and the social scene has devolved into about 6 different gangs.Each gang has its own leader, purpose, and style of fighting.Everything changes for Jen when her cousin, the legendary, undefeated fighter Jimmy Chang comes to live with them from out in the country.Jimmy comes to live with them after promising his mother to "never fight again."A promise which is tested in his first day at Kung Fu High.Soon, Jimmy's arrival at Kung Fu has tragic consequences for Jen and her family, and Kung Fu High turns into an all out martial arts battleground for control of the school.

The violence is very stylistic and very graphic.This book is definitely not for the weak of heart.Gattis goes a long way to make sure he describes the effects of each lethal hit inflected on a victim.However, throughout most of the book, I felt as if the main purpose of the book was just to be a vehicle for the author to write the most violent scenes possible.The backstories about Jen's family are not really followed all that well.And the sad part is that the story of her family could have been a great way to give the book some emotional quality, which it is completely lacking.

The book really feels like a 278-page comic book, but with very few pictures (yes, there are some pictures).The conversations just feel like flimsy bridges that the reader is crossing to get to the next fight scene.Is the book written well? Basically, yes.Gattis definitely does a good job of writing the book in the way that Jen would tell the story to someone.It is fairly impressive for a first novel, but hopefully Gattis will focus more on story in his next book.Because if the writer has a great story to back up the violence or bad things that happen plot-wise, it just makes the book that much better.

Eh.
It wasn't bad, although many people will be turned off by the extreme violence in the book. Rather, it just wasn't that good.

First problem: The characters were not developed well enough to really be taken seriously. I felt no more sympathy for most of them than I would for Blanka or Ivy or Mitsurugi or any other character from a fighting game. As a result, their beatings were more exercise than they were tragedy. When this is juxtaposed against the realization that most of these people are 16-18 years old, it makes it hard to take it seriously as a literary work.

Second: The work has a pseudo-literary feel to it. You keep feeling like there is something more to it, but then when you try to dig, you find out that there really isn't anything underneath. Then, you feel really disappointed.

SPOILER WARNING:

Third: The death of Cue was handled badly. It should have been a more tragic moment. Instead, it almost felt farcical to me. Although you could argue that its arbitrary nature was intended to reflect the seeming randomness of violence and the sheer chance of life, or whatever, the fact remains that it felt empty. And, thus, we lost an interesting and fun character for nothing.

END SPOILER WARNING

These things combined to make the book feel a little vague and empty. The climax resolution also felt a little campy. Perhaps it doesn't even deserve three stars. To a large degree, it felt like a bad combination of one too many kung fu movies and American History X. The combined result felt like macho fantasy, rather than a real story.

So, read it if you are curious, or bored. It wasn't bad per se, it just wasn't good enough to earn a 4 from me. Worth reading once, probably, but don't buy it unless you hate your library or can't convince a friend to buy it for your reading circle.
Harkius ... Read more

Book Description
One of the few modern Chinese martial arts derived from actual military combat experience, Eagle Claw kung fu is a powerful system featuring advanced locking-hand moves perfected over centuries of civil conflict in China. Kung fu and tai chi master Leung Shum brings this timeless art to today's practitioners, going beneath the veneer of gymnastic athleticism for which the style is known, and revealing many of its essential secrets and insider tips. Shum explains the fundamentals of Eagle Claw kung fu, including the crucial first thirty locking-hand techniques, the punches, kicks, and the all-important signature claws of Ying Jow Pai. Hundreds of striking photographs augment Shum's masterful text, creating the ultimate guide to Eagle Claw kung fu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Book worm
Nice illustrations, but I feel that the book leaves out too much.Perhaps I was expecting to read 10+ years of EClaw training in one volume, but did read it in one day.It sits on the shelf as a reference.

Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung Fu
Eagle claw kung fu has always been known for its grabbing techniques and this book is revealing to some extent. It would be even be better to share the remaing grabbing techniques in another book. Leung Shum Sifu might want to think about sharing his expertise on this style of kung fu through a series of books.

The Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung Fu: Ying Jow Pai
THe book does notgive any practical information much.As the Title said, it only tells general information about the type of kungFu butcontain not much useful information.
Don't expect to learn anything from the book.

Don't buy except you want to know what it is.

Not a book for self-defense
If you are looking for a book on self defense, you should probably pass on this one. It's got some interesting concepts, but the techniques shown would need heavy modification. Try grabbing a punch fromsomeone who knows how to punch properly, and turning it into a complicated joint lock- that's a good way to get knocked out or worse. You can't fool around trying to look pretty when you're in real danger. I'm not knocking Eagle Claw, but this book is about all I've seen of it and it doesn't represent the effective self-defense that the style may very well have. The book looks like a forms reference for students, and for this purpose it's probably perfect, hence my giving it five stars before to calm down the students. The author's students are of course biased and they of course know the style for real. You can't blame us readers without Eagle Claw experience for thinking the art may be over complicated and ineffective, seeing the awkward stances and the false sense of distance (some pictures even showing the protagonist's strike over a foot away from the enemy). Taking a step back to block a punch with a kick, as shown in this book, is absolutely absurd. Yes, you read it right, someone throws a punch at your face and then you take a step back to block it with a high kick. Even if you don't get knocked out trying this, there's still no chance that punch will still be there when you've even finished the step. Wait a minute, with this style it looks like your're supposed to keep your punch extended so it can be kicked! Chambering your fist at your hip is a big no-no as well. I'm sure the author wouldn't want you to do this stuff in a real fight, he just seems to be representing the forms and history. I don't doubt his abilities as martial artist or teacher. The publisher is responsible for misrepresenting the book as real fighting techniques to sell it. This standpoint is where all the bad reviews come from and what the majority of customers would be concerned about.

Read this book and you will get killed!
The cover alone says it all -- no one in their right mind would punch and defend like that in a real fight!If you want to learn how to defend yourself, find a qualified instructor who knows what he's doing; otherwise, for your own sake, skip this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Based on the upcoming DreamWorks movie Kung Fu Panda, this book offers a variation on the wildly successful line of Movie Theater Storybooks.Includes a jade palace-shaped viewer plus four cartridges to view 36 images from the new movie.

Based on the new movie featuring a panda named Po, this book offers a variation on the wildly successful line of Movie Theater Storybooks. Instead of a projector, this book comes with a viewer shaped like a jade palace. Four cartridges, each containing eight images, fit inside the viewer, which also makes three sounds! As children read the story and follow the exploits of Po and his friends, they can look at the jade palace and see exciting scenes from the movie. The film is about a panda named Po, who is slated to take over his father's noodle shop. But he wants to become a martial arts master! Through a series of events, he ends up training with an elite force of marital artists. But will his newly acquired skills be enough to fight Tai Lung, the most fearsome enemy in the land?

... Read more

Book Description
Of the Drunkard kungfu forms, the most famous, besides the Drunken Eight Immortals Form, are the Drunken Monkey Form and the Drunken Monkey Pole Form. There are notable differences between the Drunken Monkey Form and the Drunken Eight Immortals form. The Drunken Eight Immortals Form imitates the movements of a ¡§drunken man¡¨; while the Drunken Monkey Form is a kungfu form presents the gestures of a ¡§drunken monkey¡¨. The movements develop into gestures of a drunken monkey in the middle section of the form when the performer simulates movements of a monkey having stolen draughts of wine. This book contains the description of Drunken Monkey Form and its applications. ... Read more

Book Description
Po the panda bear has a problem.He loves Kung Fu, but with his large, round body and his mellow attitude about life, he just doesn't seem destined to become the Kung Fu master he longs to be.Kung Fu Panda is the story of an unlikely hero who is chosen to save his beloved home from a villainous snow leopard.Entering the regimented world of martial arts, Po learns that if he believes in himself, he can do anything.

Dreamworks^(r) once again delivers a spellbinding tale that delivers a story that appeals to children of all ages.Set in always fascinating setting of ancient China, a feel-good story, along with the amazing CG-animated characters, this has all the makings of a sure-fire hit, and these new titles from Meredith Books are sure to please the entire family.

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Customer Reviews (2)

True Wisdom
I highly reccomend this book to anyone interested in the philosophies of ancient China. This book has all the greats such as Kung Fu (Confucious) himself and Lao Tzu. It provides interesting insight into the history and tradition of various temples and it explains many forms of the art of Kung Fu. An entire half of it is devoted to quotes from the masters. Buy it, and read it several times.

Great book from before the hype
Contains great history of kung-fu, weapons and techniques in the first half, followed by quotes from great Chinese philosphers in the 2nd half. ... Read more

Book Description
Star Wars, Batman, 007, The Terminator, Master of Kung Fu,Catwoman--illustrator and graphic novelist Paul Gulacy has built hisreputation on these megaproperties. Spies, Vixens and Masters of Kung Fuexamines Gulacy's work in all its glory, with a gallery of 140 of hisincredible drawings and paintings--some never before published. This is thefirst monograph on the artist whose innovative and surreal designs madedirector Quentin Tarantino say, "Master of Kung Fu....hands down myfavorite comic book." Let Gulacy inspire a new generation of artists withSpies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Poor Man's Steranko
One has to admiire the longevity of Paul's career, but most of the images just lacked the dynanmic impact of Steranko or Neal Adams(2 industry icons)...not many can come close to these guy's but Paul's work always looked stiff and expressionless to me, although sometimes very pleasantly stylized. His finest work to me was the SABRE graphic novel and the MASTER OF KUNG FU comic series. the book just didn't do it for me. But do check out VANGUARD's other books, there are many treasures to be found.

A BRILLIANT ARTIST GETS HIS DUE
I first started collecting comic books in the early 1970's and then sold the bulk of my collection several years later to pay for my first car when I was in high school.One of the runs I held onto, however, was Master of Kung-Fu, and the main reason I kept those books was the outstanding art of Paul Gulacy.Master of Kung Fu was unlike any other title in the 1970's.Far different than the primarily super hero and horror titles of the time, this was a gritty, action filled thriller, long before books like Sin City and others came out.In fact, Frank Miller's art on Sin City was strongly influenced by Gulacy's work on this title.

"Spies, Vixens, and Masters of Kung Fu:The Art of Paul Gulacy" is the latest outstanding title from Vanguard Productions.The book covers Gulacy's mercurial career starting with his getting assigned to Master of Kung Fu at the age of twenty, along with writer Doug Moench.Gulacy's style was unlike any other artist of the time.His fight scenes were choreographed like a Hollywood film with an emphasis on realism and his depiction of the menacing villain Fu Manchu recalled the days of sinister "yellow menace" pulps.If Jim Steranko (who provides the Afterword to this book) introduced pop art to comics then Gulacy introduced a truly cinematic approach to comics.Sitting down and reading a run of MOKF was like watching a good movie.This title was often worth buying just for the Gulacy covers and splash pages alone.

The book then goes onto cover Gulacy's post MOKF life on projects such as Sabre for Eclipse comics and then onto his short, but memorable time working on projects for Jim Warren in the pages of Eerie.Gulacy was always one to experiment with new techniques and his work on those issues of Eerie showcase him using lamp black washes on the stories for an exceptionally unique look.The book provides several examples from the stories so you can see what I mean.It's gorgeous work!Gulacy would to on to do several runs on various Batman titles for DC Comics including the recently completed Batman/Ra's Alghul mini series just this year, as well as stints on Legends of the Dark Knight in 1900 - 1991.Never was there an artist more suited to draw Batman than Gulacy.

The last third of the book is sure to delight his legion of fans as it provides a dazzling gallery of Gulacy's work including paintings and numerous comic covers from books such as Catwoman, Vampirella, Sabre, Batman, and of course, The Master of Kung Fu.The cover to MOKF #64 is included and has always been one of my favorite pieces featuring Shang Chi holding a pair of Escrima sticks as he descends a set of steps in Fu Manchu's palace.

The book is filled with commentary by Gulacy's peers such as Tim Bradstreet and Steve Rude who discuss how Gulacy's art has influenced their own and no less than director Quentin Tarantino has called Master of Kung Fu his favorite comic book.Like most of the books from Vanguard Productions it is also available in a hardcover edition, as well as a limited, signed hard cover edition.A first class production!

Reviewed by Tim Janson

... Read more

Product Description
This book contains 25 San Soo Forms that were taught by Grand Master Jimmy H. Woo to Master Ron Gatewood and then carefully recorded by Master Barbara J. Wallace. These are the author's original hand-written forms that explain the transitional movements, the hand positions, the types of strikes, and the foot locations for each movement. All 26 form movements are presented with a written description, line drawing, and foot location diagram. The author makes no claim to being an artist but the line drawings clearly demonstrate the movement and positioning of the hands, feet, and body.Barbara Wallace has studied Kung Fu San Soo with Master Gatewood since 1978. She diligently recorded all lessons and forms she was taught and these forms are no exception. Learning these forms will improve your balance and fluidity and make you a better fighter because you move properly and with purpose. The San Soo Forms are an integral portion of the Art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

WOW!!!This great information for KFSS Practitioners Worldwide
You will need experience in Kung Fu San Soo to understand these forms but I wholeheartedly support Barbara in her fine work.She has an amazing knowledge of this art and she has done a fine job of breaking down forms used in our schools worldwide.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Straightforward with little nonsense
This is one of the better books on Shaolin boxing.It is based on the form preserved by Chinese in southern Asia.The history notes are bogus as usual.But the accuracy of the training: stances, punching, kicking, three training exercises, the form (Lohan's 18 Hands), and its two-man form will keep a real student busy for a year or two if he approaches it with diligence.Those who like the broad short road will prefer a Wing Lam DVD.

Challenging, inspiring
This volume should be a must for anyone interested in following the Shaolin path, I found it to be clear and it continually challenged me to increase my efforts to learn the techniques of the Shaolin masters. Well worth the money.

Not Chinese Shaolin Lohan at all
This material covered in this book, for those that want the information is Not Chinese Shaolin Lohan form.
It is a Malaysian derivative from Shaolin.

If you think you can learn how to do this form from a book, especially this one, you are clearly delusional.
Get a real KF teacher.

Exellent
This book gives you a very good description of this Kung Fu style from history trough basic hand signs and greetings to basic stances, punches and kicks with drills for footwork. The Lohan pattern is alsoe shown in what i belive to be gret detail with several picturesfirst as a solo form and then again with the aplications. Pictures are big and clear with easy to understand and god text. A brief chapter alsoe on the shaolin fist and hand conditioning exersices.

an excelent introduction to the art
a great book it tells you about the background of shaolin,fundamentals of shaolin,handsign and salutation,stances,basic punching exercise,basic kinking excersice,forms,and more ... Read more

Book Description
Practiced by millions of people around the world, the ancient and gentle Chinese martial art of tai chi offers the perfect balance of mind and body, strength and flexibility, grace and agility. Its smooth, fluid movements demand precision and control while offering exercisers of all ages improved fitness, stress reduction, and self-defense skills.Whether you are a curious novice, an intermediate student seeking deeper understanding, or a tai chi expert, Inside Kung-Fu's Ulitmate Guide to Tai Chi offers you a wealth of insightful, reliable, hard-to-find information from world-renowned experts in every aspect of tai chi. Inside, you'll find chapters that inform and inspire, addressing such topics as:

• The history of traditions of tai chi chuan
• How to find and evaluate schools and teachers
• Creating a strong foundation of basic techniques
• Mastering advanced techniques, including the cultivation of chi, breath control, and the use of weapons
• The founders of tai chi and teh variety of tai chi styles
• The self-defense applications of tai chi

Customer Reviews (4)

Outstanding complilation of articles on tai chi
This is a collection of 29 articles on different topics in tai chi. The is range of subjects is quite diverse, from tai chi history to theory and practical applications, and even an article on tai chi in the National Football League. There are four main sections: Histories and Traditions; Basic Techniques: Advanced Techniques; and Profiles and Personalities; and there is also an Appendix showing practical spplications. Last but not least, there is a complete pictorial presentation of the entire yang form that is practically worth the price of the book by itself.

The articles cover just about every aspect of tai chi, and I also noted there are several articles on the chen family style, reflecting the increasing interest in this style in recent years. It is a style especially known for its chin na and martial applications, and have always wanted to study it because of that, since my first tai chi style, known as the "square wu style," because it atypically contains both linear and circular movements, is especially rich in chin na applications too, but I've never had the opportunity to study the chen style yet myself, being mainly a wu and yang style practitioner, but I am pleased to see the chen style finally getting some of the recognition it deserves.

About the only lack in terms of coverage in the book is on pressure point strikes and dim mak. Many people aren't aware that tai claims to be the original dim mak technique and that originally there were no "pushing" techniques in tai chi, or pushing hands exercises, it consisted only of potentially deadly pressure point strikes, the severity of which only depended on how hard the point was struck. But as this knowledge is perhaps the only remaining area in tai chi that remains closely guarded I wouldn't expect it to get discussed in a book like this.But overall the book contains a lot of good information on tai chi, and is the only book in this format that I know of on the subject, with articles by so many recognized experts.

Since we're on the subject, I wanted to say a little more about the dim mak. Although I value tai chi as the most physically profound and difficult of the martial arts I've studied (and I hold instructor and/or black belt rank in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean systems), one has to take the Chinese medical theories of chi and meridians and pressure points mainly as descriptive analyses for further scientific analysis. To give you an example, my first kung-fu and tai chi instructor would occasionally say that a certain point was more vulnerable in the afternoon. Well, being a polite student (and his senior student) I never contradicted him on this, but this is now 25 years later and now I'm the teacher. The simple fact is that almost any pressure point strike could have a greater effect later in the afternoon than in the morning since that's when many people reach their physiological low during the day, and things like blood sugar and circulating catecholamines (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine) reach their lowest points and people just don't have as much energy. Furthermore, neuroactive chemicals that can cause drowsiness build up in certain areas of the brain. Finally, the brain, which can only digest glucose, is sensitive to a drop in glucose blood levels. All of this means that presure point and dim mak strikes could potentially have a greater effect at this point in a person's diurnal physiological cycle, but the ancients who devised these theories had no knowledge of blood chemistry, neurobiology, or any other modern medical science area.

That having been said, I still regard tai chi as the mostcomplex, difficult, and profound system of martial culture I've ever studied, and getting back to the present book, this is a fine volume on tai with a lot of good information that should be of interest to beginning and advanced students alike.

Very Nice Tai Chi Volume
This is a great book for anyone seriously studying Taiji as a martial art.It's a collection of articles on the history, various styles, principles and weapons of Taijiquan.There is information on some lesser known facets as well, such as the 2-man fighting set, free fighting, and Taiji whip, and there are articles by William CC Chen, Doc Fai Wong, Chen Xiao Wang, Jane Hallander and others.My only complaint is that they waste ~75 pages showing the Yang long form--as the rest of this book covers some very advanced subjects, and is NOT a "how to" guide for beginners.If they had filled those pages with more articles of the same quality as those in the rest of the book, I'd give it five stars.

An Exellent Book
This volume is a compilation of the various article in the aforementioned magazine. The variety of authours creates a wide viewpoint of the physical and metaphysical theories. The history is thurough and informative, thephilisophical theory is highly accesible while still being vivid andaccurate, and the still photos of the Yang style set are a gift to readersinterested in the practice.Being a follower of the Taoist philosophy anda student of the higher martial disiplines this book remains a favorite ofmine second only to Bruce Lee's legendary work "The Tao of Jeet KuneDo".

Ultimate Guide---the perfect title!
This is one of the most concise, and complete histories, and "how to do it" books on Tai Chi that I have ever read!The photos of the person performing the different moves in the Yang form of Tai Chi are excellent!Any Tai Chi student should have this onein his library! ... Read more

Book Description
The kung fu tournament in China occurs at the same time as the annual Feast of the Hungry Ghosts, proving to Cassidy that she's there for a reason. The competition in the tournament is fierce, but nothing as savage as the ceremony, where bands of angry ghosts come out to haunt the living. This year they're after Cassidy, demanding that she hand over a mysterious sixth coin she never knew existed. If she doesn't defeat the vengeful Hungry Ghosts, they will destroy all of the spirits of her ancestors—and Cassidy will never be born! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A thrilling conclusion to a riveting trilogy!
It has been almost a year since Cassidy Chen received a mysterious box of gold coins, featuring ancient Chinese symbols upon them, for her fourteenth birthday. Since that day, much has happened, and Cassidy has used her kung fu skills to overcome many powerful beings. However, Cassidy is now down to the last of the five coins. She has already defeated the snake demon, the plague ghost, the trickster demon, and her dark half, all without hardly breaking a sweat. And, as she battled one after the other, she earned heightened abilities - the ability to heal quickly, see spirits, develop heightened senses, and embrace the mind of a warrior, one that is calm and at peace. But this last coin holds something much stronger than the four previous coins. For this last coin can mean either life or death for Cassidy, and will pit her against a man she has trusted for years. A man she thought cared for her. As if that weren't bad enough, she will be battling this last demon on unfamiliar territory, for it will take place in Hong Kong, during the kung-fu competition that she has been placed into. Cassidy, along with her close friends James and Luis, as well as her sparring partner, Majesta, have been chosen to represent Master Lau's Wing Chun class in Hong Kong. However, Master Lau has something much different on his mind. All he appears to be thinking of is the upcoming Hungry Ghost Festival. Luis is excited to have the opportunity to experience such an unordinary celebration, when the spirits who have no loved ones are able to spend the day floating amongst the living, and attempt to eat the spirits of those who were loved in life, but Cassidy doesn't share his excitement. For on this particular day, Cassidy will be battling the last demon. A demon who plans on eating her ancestors spirits, leaving her to disappear. For if Cassidy's ancestors are gone, then it will be as if she hadn't ever existed. Now, with the help of James, as well as a blast from the past, Cassidy must concentrate on defeating the most dangerous demon yet, and fulfill her prophecy of kung fu princess, or risk failure, and cease to exist.

From book one Pamela Walker has woven an intricate plot that takes the reader on a bumpy ride through battles, the spirit world, and everyday interactions that Cassidy must face, and overcome with both the demons of her life, and the people who call themselves her friends. Cassidy, as with the two previous novels - DAUGHTER OF LIGHT and IN GOLD AND JADE - is as strong-willed and brave as ever. While she finds herself often contemplating death, she attempts to keep the mind of a warrior, and think calm thoughts; thoughts that will help her through this trying time. While we learned much about ancient Chinese mythology in the first two installments, VEIL OF SECRETS takes readers on a tour of Hong Kong, where we have the opportunity to not only embrace some of the sights that Hong Kong has to offer, but get a better feel for the territory that Cassidy finds herself battling upon. Not only is this engrossing for those interested in travel, but it really presents a nice backdrop for the upcoming kung fu tournament, and life-threatening battle that Cassidy must succumb to. Since book one, Cassidy has matured so much, completing eighth grade, and coming to terms with both her destiny, and her ancestry; while, at the same time, staying levelheaded and managing to balance both a personal life, and her secret life as a warrior. This transformation is wonderful to witness, and makes Cassidy's personality leave an even great impact on the reader. A thrilling conclusion to a riveting trilogy!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer ... Read more

Book Description
The mysterious coins unleash a strange string of events in Cassidy's life. First she dreams she's destined to defeat evil spirits with the help of an unknown ally. Next, she's plagued by a series of dangerous mishaps. Finally she's attacked by a vicious snake. Cassidy is caught in a terrifying web of confusion until the adorable James Tang explains that she's being haunted by demon ghosts. Could he be the ally her dream foretold? One thing is for sure: Cassidy's world is about to be changed forever! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' meets 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
It's September 6. While it may seem like an ordinary day for most people, it is anything but ordinary for eighth grader, Cassidy Chen. For today is her fourteenth-birthday. While Cassidy looks no different, she can feel the differences building up in her body - screaming to be released. Suddenly, she feels more powerful, yet, at the same time, more tired than she's ever felt before. She bruises at the slightest touch, and has fallen victim to lifelike dreams featuring demons, and strange creatures that she has never seen before in her life. Cassidy can't seem to put her finger on what is going on around her, yet she feels that her symptoms are being caused by the gift she was given by a mysterious stranger. The gift of five real gold coins, each depicting a different piece of Chinese mythology on their surface, placed softly in a box resembling a small treasure chest. The coins were made out to someone named Mingmei Chen, yet they have come into Cassidy's possession by a man who stepped out of the Seattle fog and drizzle, then quickly disappeared. Cassidy knows that the coins are possessed by some ancestral force, but she finds it difficult to get rid of them. Attempting to discover their true origins, she speaks to her Wing Chun instructor, Master Lau, but still receives no enlightenment regarding the powerful gift. It is only once Cassidy begins to form a friendship with a new, mysterious boy named James Tang, when she starts to realize the power she is in possession of. Suddenly, she realizes that this is no ordinary gift, but a present that will change her life forever, and make her a warrior.

In the fashion of the hit TV show BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, Pamela Walker has called upon Chinese Mythology to bring the tale of a chosen one to light, and help her to fulfill her destiny as a warrior and martial arts master. Cassidy Chen is a refreshing character in the world of tween/teen fiction. Her curiosity creates a wonderful addition to the tale, as it brings her through both Asian and Irish mythology, giving readers the opportunity to learn more about both cultures in an in-depth, yet extremely creative and interesting fashion; while the action scenes that appear quite often are both well-written and engrossing. What really makes DAUGHTER OF LIGHT stand out, however, is the remarkable relationship Cassidy shares with her parents. So many books on the market nowadays depict children and teenagers constantly at war with their parents, but Walker has woven a friendly family atmosphere that illustrates the wonderful bond a daughter can have with her parents. This tightly-knit relationship really provides a lovely backdrop to the other dimensions of the story. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER meets CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Grandmother Loved the Books
The book was purchased for my grandson that is taking martial arts and I thought I will read a few lines to see what interest 13 year olds. After about 5 pages I could not quit reading. It was so interesting that I had to keep going. I did not want the book to end but I knew there were 2 others in the series, so I kept reading. As soon as it was finished, I started the #2 book and was equally enthralled and the same with # 3. So as you might have guessed, I kept the books and bought my grandson his own set. I wish you would tell the author, Ms. Walker to start a sequel or another series. I will be looking for her books in the future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Super Highway to Knee Surgery
The material depicted in this book is a great way to end up with a knee problem!Pictures depict the individuals in low stances pronating and hyper-extending their knees.

The history of Kung Fu is inaccurate and regurgitated fictional myths.The fighting applications depicted will get someone hurt if tried in real life situations with non-compliant partners.The book depicts the attacker consistently using one arm to attack while the other arm lays dead.This allows the defender to do things like fight with one hand at his waist, reach for opponents groin while the opponents hand is in his face, or stand on one leg posing in front of opponent trying to pull off a hopeless application.

I do not recommend this book.

Better than most
Yang Jwing Ming has been publishing high quality martial arts books and videos for more than twenty years now, and this early volume, definitely fits into that category as well.

It gives a great overview of chang quan, long fist, and as usual with Yangs books, the explanations are clear, concise and satisfying. The pictures are all clear and easy to interpret.

I don't think that one can learn martial arts from books, but they can be a good help. Especially when it comes to the understanding of philosophy, history and indeed technique.

Highly recommended

A Literal Bible on Shaolin Long Fist
This book is so incredibly detailed, and so amazingly well written that I would consider moving to Boston to train under this great man myself. The only book I have EVER found in my life that is so powerfully efficient. Don't skip this up, this is not the average marketing product. He has considered every aspect that the reader could possibly need to know to learn the first few forms in this art.

pretty good for a book
This book is certainly an interesting read, and provides very good information about the history of chinese martial arts. It does a beautiful job of describing various useful excersises that are great for any martial artist.
On the other hand, it is important that the reader realizes the need for a flesh and blood instructor when learning Kung Fu. When it comes to the Shaolin Long Fist form itself, the book serves as a wonderful source for reference and a helpful tool but only when used to augment the teachings of a real Shi Fu.

Captures the spirit of Kung Fu
Dr. Yang, to me, has always been a great source of information on the Chinese arts, and his expertise is displayed here.The book starts out with a pretty thorough history on the Chinese arts (considering the book was only supposed to highlight one style), as well as explaining different traditions found in kung-fu's philosophy and training.The big point Dr. Yang tries to get across is that morality comes first, then technique.Starting with Chapter Two, he begins to cover the physical aspect of Wu Su (meaning "martial arts", as "kung fu" translates directly as "work-time"), starting with warmups and stretches that are benificial for any athelete; I do at least some of these before every workout myself.He then explains the various stances (mostly kept low, for power) and different movements that can be done from them.While I'm sure that all of these stances and methods of movement are authentically Long Fist, I must question the effectiveness of some of them when facing a criminal in the street or a competitor in a cage.Many of the defensive movements require one to jump, which may not be a realistic option, depending on the environment.Still, the book's title is "Shaoling Long Fist", not "Street Defense and Cagefighting"; I'll go on the premise that the techniques don't HAVE to be effective, just authentic.Dr. Yang does mention in this section that Wu Su's emphasis is on defense, with the idea that once one learns to defend oneself, attacking should be that much easier.He then moves on to the different hand formations, usually just several variations of fists, claws, and "beaks", and then covers the basic theories and techniques of defensive hand movements.Then it's on to striking.The striking techniques presented here are shown primarily against a heavy bag, and are given a fair bit of detail.The variety presented leads me to believe that there's at least one technique for a given situation.After that is a seemingly misplaced chapter on building power, speed, and stability, with the emphasis on strengthening the arms/wrist and creating a stable base in the legs; no weights are used.Next is a brief section on different pressure points to target.On the plus side, the points are given with their Chinese name, their English location, the accupuncture meridian involved, and which attacks are most useful against it; on the negative side, the "effect" of these points tends to rely more on accupuncture theory than proven cases (example: the bottom of the foot is listed as a "death" point).Next is a brief introduction to forms (one of the better ones I've read) before Dr. Yang actually begins to demostrate five preset sequences and their applications.While he DOES state which direction one is supposed to be facing in each of his photos, the photos themselves have no real reference point, which takes away somewhat.However, I *am* grateful that he at least has decided to include the form's applications.The book ends with a section on "fighting forms", two-man drills used to train specific techniques (a plus) and strategies for free fighting, emphasising the Chinese mentality approach to combat.In conclusion, this book is very good for those who's emphasis is on form and "martial spirit", especially in the Chinese arts, and while it's not so great for MMA or self-defense, some of the principles and most of the training sequences can certainly help.For the subject matter, and in-depth introduction into a traditional Chinese art, it's a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description
Comics pre-eminent star of martial arts action -- Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu -- is back.If Moench and Gully's seminal Master of Kung Fu successfully tapped into the Bruce Lee kung fu craze and popular James Bond spy flicks, then their revamped MOKF will appeal to the folks who are packing the seats for the latest Jet Li flick, or "Mission Impossible" sequel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

MEDIOCRE WRITING, GREAT ART
As most fans know, this team produced a (justly) critically acclaimed "Master of Kung Fu" comic in the 70's.Too bad their legacy regarding Shang-Chi is tarnished by this tale.

While Gulacy's art is dependably excellent, Moench's plot and scripting are hackneyed.The fights seem forced and endless.Do these stories need action and conflict?Sure.Was this the way to do it?No.You'll want to take a pass on this one unless you're a real disciple of Gulacy.

Could Have -- Should Have -- Been Great, But Misses The Mark
This is a project that should have been a new classic, but falls well short of that mark by a misguided and ultimately failed attempt at pandering to the perceived wants of current comics readership.

This book features two superb craftsmen returning to the title where they earned their reputations 30 years ago. Think of O'Neal and Adams reuniting on Batman, or Claremont and Byrne going back to the X-Men. Anticipation warms the heart and gets the blood pumping. You know it will never be as good as you remember, but certainly it'll be much better than most of what's offered on the bookshelf today. Unfortunately, that didn't prove to be the case, and sadder still, it could easily have been otherwise.

The work starts off strong, with Moench's taut pacing and spot-on dialogue, and Gulacy's strong storytelling steering your eye, and then it veers terribly off-course. The introduction of Morgan Spetz and his Omega team of over-muscled/under-dressed WWF cast-offs jars the book from "realistic" spy thriller to virtual parody. The Spetz subplot seems completely forced and doesn't ring at all true to the rest of the piece, even as a failed attempt at comic relief. It's like Moench submitted his original script to Marvel and the editors convinced him he needed these steroid-popping oafs to attract the 12-year-olds (who shouldn't be reading this "Mature Audience" title in the first place). Their inclusion slows the pace to a crawl and dumbs-down the plot, leaving the reader with a sour aftertaste of disappointment and frustration at a glorious storytelling opportunity lost.

Unlike the original source material that still resonates in the minds of collectors 30 years later, this current offering is cranial candyfloss, empty intellectual calories that will have completely faded from your memory before your next meal.

It's a good Saturday afternoon read, but unlikely a book you'll ever pick up again.

Good Action Book
After deciding to live in peace following a violent lifestyle, Shang-Chi must now return to action to stop evil. MI-6 has learned of a new underworld mastermind who brainwashes assassins to do his will, and Shang-Chi is the only one who can stop him if he gets his hands on a powerful weapon that can destroy the world. Chi must reunite with old team members and face old relationships before the final confrontation with his powerful adversary.

Classic Shang-Chi creators Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy return in this new action, spy thriller.The typical 'evil genius who wants to rule the world' spy theme is evident here as James Bond, espionage, and kung-fu fans should feel right at home.Moench's fairly generic spy plot isn't exactly innovative or deep, but it is a good fit for this action story and Paul Gulacy's great artwork.Gulacy's pencils and Palmiotti's inks clearly convey all of the many action scenes as well as the overall characters.Paul Mounts' dark but vibrant colors also do a good job of matching with the story.

Comic readers searching for a good, action based comic in a market filled with many dialogue heavy titles should look no further than "Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu."

NOTE: This is a Marvel MAX book and is suggested for older readers due to language and violence/gore (a comic book equivalent to an R-rated movie).

You really can't go home again
When I became a certified comics fan in the late 70s, there were two comics outside of the "mainstream" superhero fare that I loved. One was Howard the Duck, a satirical comic about politics and society. The other was a comic about family, albeit one in which the father was the ultimate evil and the son had been raised to be the perfect assassin, who then rebelled against his father. Of course, Master of Kung Fu also had the big action sequences as well as secret service intrigue as well, but I suspect it was that idea of the son not exactly wanting to follow in his father's footsteps that a psychiatrist would have a field day with if I ever found myself on the couch.

Marvel's recent successes on the movie screen along with the burgeoning market for graphic novels has them looking to the past for their future. They also, obviously, believe that since the audience that grew up on these comics are older, that such audience also wants their return to be "mature" as well, and to that end Marvel has a new line of comics called "MAX" to distinguish comics with "mature" themes. I've only read two of the MAX titles--the original creators returning to my favorite books, Howard the Duck and Master of Kung Fu, and I'm starting to think ol' Tom Wolfe was right, and you can't go home again.

It's not that Master of Kung Fu (subtitled "The Hellfire Apocalypse") isn't well done. Moench and Gulacy are a wonderful team and the intervening years have not diminished their ability to portray in flat panels the fluidity and excitement of a martial arts epic. But something is missing, and I think it's the cliffhangers and surprise of the monthly comic. Collected together in this graphic novel, the monthly wait to see just how Shang-Chi, Weiko Lu, Clive Reston and Black Jack Tarr were going to get out of this dire calamity is gone. But even then, it wasn't that cast, nor Fu Manchu, that drew me to the comic, but the ancilliary ideas, just as it isn't James Bond or Blofield that brings you back to 007, but the gadgets. "The Hellfire Apocalypse," although it tries hard, is warmed over kung fu--there's nothing in this book that we haven't seen time and time again since Moench and Gulacy took their leave of us 20 years ago.

It makes me wary to re-read any of those 1970s/1980s originals, to see if my memory has failed me and that those comics weren't as great as I remember. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

NEGATIVE FIVE *****s
Could I have read what may be the world's worst book?
I practiced Praying Mantis Kung Fu and thought this would give me a few insights... scatalogical would be a compliment... was the author writing in metaphore or just in Klingon?

I can't say much about this book because I didn't understand a single page!

A Decent Book, Basic Information
In this little green volume, Un presents some of the basics of Praying Mantis Kung Fu, including a decent section on the history of the style through his lineage.The form Bong Po is demonstrated, and the major complain I have with the book is that Author Un wears a dark uniform against a dark background, which makes some of the first pictures in this form difficult to understand for a beginner or anyone who is trying to learn this form solely from this book.There is also a section at the rear of the book showing applications from the Bong Po set.Altogether it is not a bad book for its size.

vague.
Breaking a little ground but steps into too many things without finishing them.Also, too short of a book for the subject. ... Read more

Book Description
Po the panda bear has a problem.He loves Kung Fu, but with his large, round body and his mellow attitude about life, he just doesn't seem destined to become the Kung Fu master he longs to be.Kung Fu Panda is the story of an unlikely hero who is chosen to save his beloved home from a villainous snow leopard.Entering the regimented world of martial arts, Po learns that if he believes in himself, he can do anything.

Dreamworks^(r) once again delivers a spellbinding tale that delivers a story that appeals to children of all ages.Set in always fascinating setting of ancient China, a feel-good story, along with the amazing CG-animated characters, this has all the makings of a sure-fire hit, and these new titles from Meredith Books are sure to please the entire family.

... Read more