Rating: 
Summary: Detailed Analysis on breaking arms and seperating tendons.
Review: A great book, I did not expect it to be so full, it is more complete than any art I have ever seen. It explains the physics of every single form. And teaches beyond that, it's main goal is to teach you to improvise. If your going to get any kind of grappling get this.
Rating:
Summary: What a waste
Review: Absolutely horrible. These techniques are not combat applicable, I regret buying this stupid Kung Fu book.
Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening
Review: Chin na is most of the theory behind practical Kung fu. This book explains the principles behind the techniques and so enabling a student to derive techniques for himself. There are a lot of techniques illustrated in this book, as well as an introductory insight into pressure point fighting. There is also a great wealth of anatomical knowledge to be gained from this book, useful if you want to know what part of your opponent you have just damaged. Attacking different parts of the body are allocated chapters of their own, "attacking the wrist" etc, which is useful for speedy reference if you know which particular area of your art is defficient e.g armlocks.
Overall this book contains a wealth of information that is beyond fiscal value.
Rating:
Summary: HOW and WHY of Chin Na Studies
Review: Finally we are seeing a number of well-written martial arts books which deal with the technical aspects of a technique instead of just attempting to demonstrate what a technique looks like (i.e., "this is a front kick..."). Author Zhao Da Yuan, a student of Ba Gua great Li Zi Ming commences with detailed descriptions of how the human body is constructed, and how we move. These are the keys to understanding how Chin Na and virtually every other grappling form works. For the first time in a martial arts book, we have set before us a concrete treatis (rather than the oh-so-popular abstract theory, which conveniently does not require proof!) on patterns of siezing, locking, twisting...and the throws (and possible damage) which result. Zhao Da Yuan discusses Basic Knowledge, Basic Principles, Basic Requirements of posture, Chin Na mechanics, a catalog of Chin Na hand techniques, Mechanics II, Rang of motion of the arms with specific techniques shown, and range of motion with the lower limbs demonstrated with specific techniques. For anyone who is on the path to becoming an accomplished body mechanic and wants to advance their understanding of how to apply pressure point and joint locking techniques, this study guide is a must. One of the most interesting points mentioned by the guide is the fact that virtually all styles of Chinese arts include Chin Na as an advanced study--from specific regional styles to Ba Gua. Chin Na is what is behind so many of the "flowery" looking kung fu techniques which grace many of our forms. Another superb volume similar to this one in structure and explanation is written by the man who translated this book, Tim Cartmell. His volume, "Effortless Combat Throws" is an excellent companion to this one, along With Yang Jwing-ming's "Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na". The key to these simple looking but difficult to execute techniques is knowing how to grab, how to move. No longer do we have to rely on mystical explanations--the knowledge is all here for us to learn should we dedicate ourselved to its thorough study.
Rating:
Summary: Buy This Book.
Review: Finally we are seeing a number of well-written martial arts books which deal with the technical aspects of a technique instead of just attempting to demonstrate what a technique looks like (i.e., "this is a front kick..."). Author Zhao Da Yuan, a student of Ba Gua great Li Zi Ming commences with detailed descriptions of how the human body is constructed, and how we move. These are the keys to understanding how Chin Na and virtually every other grappling form works. For the first time in a martial arts book, we have set before us a concrete treatis (rather than the oh-so-popular abstract theory, which conveniently does not require proof!) on patterns of siezing, locking, twisting...and the throws (and possible damage) which result. Zhao Da Yuan discusses Basic Knowledge, Basic Principles, Basic Requirements of posture, Chin Na mechanics, a catalog of Chin Na hand techniques, Mechanics II, Rang of motion of the arms with specific techniques shown, and range of motion with the lower limbs demonstrated with specific techniques. For anyone who is on the path to becoming an accomplished body mechanic and wants to advance their understanding of how to apply pressure point and joint locking techniques, this study guide is a must. One of the most interesting points mentioned by the guide is the fact that virtually all styles of Chinese arts include Chin Na as an advanced study--from specific regional styles to Ba Gua. Chin Na is what is behind so many of the "flowery" looking kung fu techniques which grace many of our forms. Another superb volume similar to this one in structure and explanation is written by the man who translated this book, Tim Cartmell. His volume, "Effortless Combat Throws" is an excellent companion to this one, along With Yang Jwing-ming's "Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na". The key to these simple looking but difficult to execute techniques is knowing how to grab, how to move. No longer do we have to rely on mystical explanations--the knowledge is all here for us to learn should we dedicate ourselved to its thorough study.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a good choice for practical purposes
Review: I bought this book in may 2003 hoping to expand my knowledge in joint-lock techniques that I use in police work. Sorry to say this book has been useless! Either the techniques are not explained with enough details to be praticed in real life or they are in fact not good techniques. A big disadvantage is that the follow-ups are not shown. I dont't have any idea what the author think you are going to do next standing beside TOP having him in a lock. The general idea is that joint-locks should end with control on the ground. Don't buy this book if you are serious about locks. Pictures and explanitions are not of high standard. As far as I can understand from them, techniques are not ment used in combat situations, but rather as a means to impress your buddies when they have had to much to drink.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book, but not a bible!
Review: In general is a good book. It's a good book when it explains the " 50 hand techniques". It becomes a not very good book when it tries to explain how to apply the hands techniques. The explanations and the draws are not too much clear and the whole final techique is sometimes candid and difficult to apply.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent addition to my collection
Review: One of the finest books I've added to my collection in some time. A must read for anyone interested in furthering their knowledge in the techniques of Chin Na.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book to learn the principles behind chin na.
Review: The best book I've seen on chin na. It teaches you the principles behind chin na - physics, body mechanics, set ups, and practical training methods. You learn how the body moves and its limitations and how to apply proper leverage at the optimum angle and with the correct type of force. You come away with a foundation on which you can build technique and with the materials (50 basic techniques plus some additional ones) with which to begin construction. Unlike many martial arts books it does not throw a multitude of techniques at you and leave you struggling to understand how they work. Instead you will first learn to understand principles and then the operation of techniques will easily make sense because you understand the laws of physics and biomechanics that govern all joint locking techniques. Highest reccomendation for someone wanting to learn joint locking techniques.
Rating:
Summary: Clearly and throroughly written - a masterpiece of theory
Review: This book should be on the required reading list for all martial artists, regardless of style. In this fairly slender volume, Mr. Yun covers the majority of the biomechanical principles involved in the complex art of chin-na. Like Sifu Park Bok Nam's excellent texts on Baguazhang, the idea is not to delineate technique but rather to expound on theory and principle - the fundamentals, so to speak, from which technique may be built. For those of you who are looking for a library of chin-na techniques, this is not for you. This book teaches instead the basic principles behind chin-na. What may be derived from this book are not only chin-na techniques but also chin-na escapes and counters. Makes sense to me; if you really understand how something is done, then you also understand how it is undone. This book is a wonderful read on its own, and it is an excellent companion to Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's multiple compendiums on chin-na.
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