Taiji Sword

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: I bought this book along with a video on T'ai Chi sword. I bought the book for some stories not for instruction. There are a few stories which were fun to read but there is no reason to own this book. The only redeeming quality of this book is the old time T'ai Chi pictures which are cool! But not worth spending any money on.

Rating:
Summary: Taiji Sword
Review: The beginning prefaces are informative. The stories of great Taijiquan masters are fascinating. The descriptions of the various postures are fairly clear. Unfortunately, the black and white photos accompanying the descriptions are faded and grainy. The hands, sword and body often disappear into the background leaving one guessing as to the correct form of the posture.

Rating:
Summary: Great historical writing on the tai chi sword form
Review: This book is a very interesting account of the Yang Style Tai Chi sword form. It is a translation of a classical account from the 1920's, and includes pictures of each of the postures of the form. The text is clear, and an interesting account of the form by an old master. As with most classical Tai Chi writings, it is more useful as a source of ideas for someone who already practices the form than as a beginner's teaching text. The translation is scholarly, and Ms. Davis has added a lot to this book with her footnotes and commentary. A very enjoyable read.