Here are some of my favorite books I’ve bought. I’ve had pretty good luck I think. Most were purchased at the MA supply store Silky Way in Boston, but some were bought at New England Mobile Bookfair, coincidently about a block away from Calvin Chin Martial Arts in Newton MA.
108 movements of the Shaolin Wooden Men Hall- published by Leung Ting this is sort of the applications part of many forms put into 108 movements. That is, it’s different self defense moves and their counters, without being connected to a specific form. Apparently, it’s from an old manuscript that wasn’t really put together, just stuff jotted down for the use of whomever wrote it, like a real early version of the Tao of Jeet Kun Do. Learn fun stuff like “Continues kick at the genitals”. in two parts both small and cheap.
Modified Wing Chun- By Leo t. Fong. I don’t study Wing Chun, but I think a copy of this book should be issued to every one when they are old enough to read. It’s not really wing chun, just the basics of stand up fighting with commentary like cautions not to overblock and how to throw a left hook and stuff. Like a boxing manual with some kicking stuff. also small and cheap
Dragon Form- by some ****ing guy I can’t remember. I got this at a chinese book store. It was like 3 dollars. It has the form w/ explanations in chinese and English, plus applications. They should make all the books like this. It’s not available through the regualr MA channels/ websites really though.
Drunken monkey form: by Leung Ting. Learn how to roll around and kick people in the nuts. Has anyone combined monkey boxing with BJJ? that would be cool. Of all the books, this one looks the coolest on my shelf.
Police Kung Fu- English Translation of Taiwanese police manual. Lots of Ju jitsu and Eagle Claw type moves. What I don’t get is his use of Wing Chun blocks. LIke he has a knife at his back and turns around with one of those like the way a wing chun guy would block a kick, with one arm up and one down. It seems to be a wasted movement. Why do turn aroun, block, grab. why not turn around, grab??
Ferocious enchanted staff: fr. Leung Ting. great, small handbook on the Shaolin Staff with lots of commentary and applications. from and old manuscript. If you haven’t noticed, most of the good books are small.
guide to Styles- Jane Hallander. This would be a cool video. It has basic origins and explanations of the more popular Kung Fu styles of today like Tai Chi, Northern Mantis, Chang Chuan, Wing Chun. SPlit into Northern and Southern Styles.
Wu Song Breaks Manacles: I bought this out of curiosity. it’s rather amazing though. It’s a form based on fighting with handcuffs on. It has lots of kicks and shoulder bumps and stuff like that. it’s Wushu-ey but cool. I think there is a style of fighting with handcuffs that’s more reality based but I can’t recall. Some very cool double fist punches and stuff.
other stuff
Basic Jujitsu- from the company that put out those Bruce Lee Fighting Method books
Tai Chi Killing fanplay- a cool one is opening the fan in someone’s face and kicking underneath it.
Secrets of Shaolin Temple boxing- Robert Smith
Chinese Boxing- Robert Smith
If it says Robert Smith I buy it.
That’s it for now.
