read any good books lately?

[StarBoy]

Here's the situation, I'm returning an xmas gift to amazon.com so I'm going to get a bunch of credit (probably somewhere from $50-75). Of course, my first instinct is to spend on anything that can help me with my wushu. As of now, I've had (some) training in Long Fist Kung Fu, Zhaobao He style Tai Chi, though in the future I hope to expand into other styles of Kung Fu, Tai Chi, as well as learn about Ba Qua.

When it comes to nutrition, I have pretty good basic knowledge. Junkfood bad, complex carbs good, and so on. The same goes with weight training. I'm not expert, but I know more than someone who works at Ballys.

When it comes to the art itself, I'm not sure what I can learn from a book. Obviously classroom instruction is much more beneficial than learning on your own from a book.

So I was wondering, what books (or anything that is sold on amazon.com) would be beneficial to a martial artist with my goals. Thanks.

[GeneChing]

amazon...sheesh. :rolleyes:

[StarBoy]

first, I only posted it on three forums.

second, what's wrong with amazon?

[GeneChing]

Kung Fu Qigong, like all martial arts magazine, is a small publication. We were all hurt by the conglomeration of newsstands by the megastores like Barnes & Noble, Borders, etc, since they killed the independant stores. These had a tremendous impact on small magazines since the independants served their local community better and would do special orders for magazines in a more opn fashion. Amazon is the internet manifestation of a superstore and while it hasn't had much direct impact on magazines, it has changed the American way of buying printed material in the same way as the brick & mortar superstores. It's a bit of an "old way was better" rant, since the won hands down and all publishers just have to adapt or die, but some one has to remember the old ways...

[StarBoy]

Well I agree with you there, but I don't really have a choice in this situation. I'm only getting "store" credit. Besides, I still go to small independent shops where available. Unfortunately, there are just not that many of them left.

Also, I don't think we have to worry about a superstore affecting the martial arts community. People who are serious martial artists know to avoid any "superstore manifestation" of martial arts. It's like those TKD franchises (sorry if this offends anyone who studies at one), but anyone who knows martial arts knows that these places are not the best places to train.

If they "superstore" any aspect of martial arts (whether it's equipment or literature), serious martial artist just won't bite because they don't want some watered down garbage.

(now I'm ranting)

I'm thinking I could get into a really socioeconomic rant about how these superstores are designed to undermine the proliteriat resulting in a much more subservient laboring class, while increasing the influence of the ruling class.

But that would be way OT... ;)

[shaolinboxer]

I think you would like Kung Fu Elements. It's a text book quality work on kung fu and costs about $50.

[Wong Ying Home]

The Chinese Internal Martial arts Theories and practice by Ken Delves.

Check out www.Emptyflower.com and enter HsingYi page for a review, good book

[HuangKaiVun]

Starboy, get Patrick McCarthy's "The Bubishi".

That's the only COMPLETE kung fu text I've ever seen.