Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, original, insightful--a must read!
Review: A must read for tai chi practioners, this insightful book offers a unique look at Cheng Man-Ch'ing and the relevance of tai chi to our daily life.
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary book!
Review: A must-read for the serious tai chi students. What is so special about this book? This is a book written for tai chi students from a student's perspective. As the title says "There Are No Secrets", the author used plain English, instead of mystical words commonly found in other tai chi books, to write the principles of tai-chi. Please note that the book tells how to apply the tai chi principles to do the tai-chi form and push-hand. Therefore, do not expect to learn movement of each tai-chi form from the book. As a tai-chi student, I found this book is inspiring, too. According to the author, Master Cheng Man-Ch'ing once said there are three ingredients for progress in the study of tai-chi: natural talent, perseverance and correct teaching. Natural talent is the least important. A gifted student has certain obvious advantages, but the untalented need only work hard and it will come. Also, you can see or picture the human life of Master Cheng Man-Ch'ing from the book.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and Honest
Review: Eventhough I was not practicing Tai Chi when I read this book the very first time, I really enjoyed it. It looked so simple and honest to me. Now, I'm practicing this art and have read this book for the 3rd time. And I always find something new, something that I couldn't see before. I even read some chapters over and over again.
Perhaps its simplicity and informal style of writing makes it really easy to follow and enjoyable. I hope I won't forget the basic priciples by reading this book again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Great book by a great teacher
Review: I have been a student of Professor Cheng's Tai Chi as taught by Wolfe Lowenthal's school Long River Tai Chi. On and Off for about three years. Aside from that I grew up around tai chi and Professor's school. I was born shortly after he died so I never met the man but I have been regailed with stories about him from both my father and Wolfe. Lao Shr (Cheng) was more than a mythalogical charcter in my life. He is my inspiration to continue study so that one day, as Wolfe Lowenthal wrote, "he would consider me a student." Many people profess to teach Lao Shr's tai chi, or speak his gospel. But Wolfe Lowenthal writes very elegantly and humbly putting aside his own desires and just tells stories of the old man and tai chi. The book is perfect for anyone and everyone
Rating:
Summary: Great book by a great teacher
Review: I have been a student of Professor Cheng's Tai Chi as taught by Wolfe Lowenthal's school Long River Tai Chi. On and Off for about three years. Aside from that I grew up around tai chi and Professor's school. I was born shortly after he died so I never met the man but I have been regailed with stories about him from both my father and Wolfe. Lao Shr (Cheng) was more than a mythalogical charcter in my life. He is my inspiration to continue study so that one day, as Wolfe Lowenthal wrote, "he would consider me a student." Many people profess to teach Lao Shr's tai chi, or speak his gospel. But Wolfe Lowenthal writes very elegantly and humbly putting aside his own desires and just tells stories of the old man and tai chi. The book is perfect for anyone and everyone
Rating: 
Summary: Pieces of Gold, interspersed with Psychological Angst
Review: Pieces of Gold, interspersed with Lowenthal's Psychological Angst
All of the preceding reviewers points of view are mostly true, this book has some great gems and insights into Professor Cheng Man-ch'ings Mastery of Tai Chi. Unfortunatly much of the book is like wading through a "bad" Woody Allen movie, full of Upper middle class, eastern U.S., psycho-babble and Angst. Lowenthal would have written a much much better book if he had stayed with Tai Chi Chuan and left his tortured/guilt ridden pysche & memories out of the book. What Lowental's memories of Professor add to the text, his personal commentaries about his own past, psychological "insights" etc. take away. If I had a very limited amount of money to spend, and I wanted to maximize my reading on Tai Chi, I would go for those books written by Prof Cheng, like His Thirteen Treatises, or the Essence of Tai Chi by Lo/Inn and save Lowenthal's books for when I am interested in much lighter fare.
Rating: 
Summary: Invaluable for anyone on a spiritual quest
Review: Please do not think that this book applies only to Tai Chi Chuan practice. It is a treasury of insight for anyone seeking the spiritual side of Martial Arts, or any any path towards greater consciousness. A very heartful portrait of a master with an immensely rich humanity. I quoted from it profusely for my I Dan Black Belt Thesis in Tae Kwon Do, which dealt with the discovery of the Inner Warrior.
Rating:
Summary: There are no secrets in this book.
Review: Pull up your chair and sit comfortably back as Wolfe tells you of his experiences as a student of Cheng Man-Ch'Ing. That's how informal and easily read this book is. This book has lots of advice and applications for the subjects of Tai Chi Chuan, Push hands and internal energy told in an easy and relaxed manner. Students of Tai Chi Chuan and Push Hands will learn much in this book for their art and for life. Whether a "new" beginner or a "not so new" beginner this book is a must for anyone studying the subject.
Rating:
Summary: There are no secrets in this book.
Review: Pull up your chair and sit comfortably back as Wolfe tells you of his experiences as a student of Cheng Man-Ch'Ing. That's how informal and easily read this book is. This book has lots of advice and applications for the subjects of Tai Chi Chuan, Push hands and internal energy told in an easy and relaxed manner. Students of Tai Chi Chuan and Push Hands will learn much in this book for their art and for life. Whether a "new" beginner or a "not so new" beginner this book is a must for anyone studying the subject.
Rating:
Summary: Advice for all range of beginners
Review: Tai Chi Chuan, despite the plethora of books on the subject, is still quite mysterious. Most of the books available are instructional in that they have diagrams and/or pictures of one (or more) of the forms and explanations of how to get from Point A to Point B. In There Are No Secrets, there are no such maps to a form. Instead, Wolfe Lowenthal provides the pearls of wisdom that Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing gave him. Part an insight to the influential Tai Chi Professor, part sagely advice on how to practice Tai Chi, and part one man's personal search for meaning, There Are No Secrets is composed of many short untitled chapters that relate these parts in almost wandering way. Each chapter is self-contained and brief enough to drive the point without pontificating. Lowenthal's "relaxed" style is invigorating and helps the overall flow of the book making it a joy to read. As for the Tai Chi student reading this book, it is clearly enough written that the newest practitioners will enjoy and gain insight as well as those older "beginners" struggling with the nuances of Push Hands, Applications, etc. Whether you're looking for serious insight or a more casual subject to renew your interest level in Tai Chi, I'd highly recommend purchasing this book - to read today and all of your tomorrows.
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