Secrets of Shaolin Temple Boxing

Rating:
Summary: Typical Robert Smith mush
Review: I have found that many treasures are understated. The same applies to this book. The essence of Shaolin tradition, I believe, can be found in the 68 pages. It doesn't look like much, but I believe that the essence of Shaolin is represented.

Rating:
Summary: Secrets of Shaolin Temple Boxing
Review: I have found that many treasures are understated. The same applies to this book. The essence of Shaolin tradition, I believe, can be found in the 68 pages. It doesn't look like much, but I believe that the essence of Shaolin is represented.

Rating:
Summary: core of chinese boxing indeed
Review: Sorry no Secrets. Or are there? Hidden in plain sight possibly? So simple most won't find them. Neither beginners or many modern style practitioners will not get anything out of this. But... the longer you train the more this will be a guide. If you're a karate practioner who enjoys researching the Bubishi, you might enjoy this.

Rating:
Summary: Never judge a book by its title!
Review: The book was alright, although lacking the excitement and in depth explanation of other kung fu books. The work did not contain any "secrets" of Shaolin Temple as the title implies, simply the basic facts and techniques that anyone with any knowledge of Chinese martial arts would know. Not necessarily the greatest book for your martial arts collection, but a semi-interesting read nontheless.

Rating:
Summary: Good summary of Shaolin's history.
Review: This book has some interesting diagrams. The author says his research came from "personal manuscripts" (???) I would like to see a book that discusses the actual diet that the monks lived on - was it just rice??? A great intro to shaolin.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Robert Smith mush
Review: This book is pretty lame compared to other texts on the market today. The YI Jin Jing description is terrible and of no use what so ever. Neither is the Shaolin 5 animals forms that are discribed in minute proportions. I don't care what the history of the manuscripts are, this book offers no definitive information. It is very vague and elementary, a lot like Smith's other books. The fighting methods shown are a poor representation of Shaolin skills. The true essence of Shaolin is beyond any manuscript, let alone a hoax manuscrpit from Taiwan, which is the inspiration for this book.

Rating:
Summary: For the trained eye
Review: Unless you've got a somewhat solid background in martial arts training, this book won't be of much use, but if you do, there are quite a few interesting concepts, and quite a few interesting comments in this book. While not actually written by Smith himself, rather translated elsewhere and editted by him, Mr. Smith has given the west access to an excellant manuscript.