The Ancient Art of Life and Death: The Book of Dim-Mak

Rating:
Summary: Both basic information and higher-level overviews
Review: Collaboratively written by A. Flane Walker and Richard C. Bauer, The Ancient Art Of Life And Death: The Book Of Dim-Mak is an intense, thorough, authoritative, and holistic study/presentation of all aspects of the martial art of Dim-Mak, which was originally created as a blend of medical and martial arts with the goal of being used to heal. Cycles of rebirth and destruction permeate the teachings and philosophy of the art; The Ancient Art Of Life And Death presents both basic information and higher-level overviews by combining modern-day interpretations with reproductions of classical texts. Analysis of acupoints, the fabled 36-chamber training sequence, herbal pharmacology and much more fill this seminal reference for dedicated martial arts practitioners who are interested in learning more about this ancient practice.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful ....
Review: Fantastic Book, absolutely wonderful.

As a doctor of traditional chinese medicine, and a student of wu yi, it's hard to find the "genuine article" when it comes to books and authors. This book is fantastic. The chinese is done in modern pin yin, which makes things much easier. The herbal formulas are definately proper. The history is well written and accurate. They even do a good job including a western look, without taking away from traditional ways, which in my eyes will always be the most important aspects of dit mak.

All of these things have also been covered with the honour and respect they deserve.

Overall, this is definately a must have for any serious martial artist.

Yours,
Hastings

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful ....
Review: Fantastic Book, absolutely wonderful.

As a doctor of traditional chinese medicine, and a student of wu yi, it's hard to find the "genuine article" when it comes to books and authors. This book is fantastic. The chinese is done in modern pin yin, which makes things much easier. The herbal formulas are definately proper. The history is well written and accurate. They even do a good job including a western look, without taking away from traditional ways, which in my eyes will always be the most important aspects of dit mak.

All of these things have also been covered with the honour and respect they deserve.

Overall, this is definately a must have for any serious martial artist.

Yours,
Hastings

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful ....
Review: Fantastic Book, absolutely wonderful.

As a doctor of traditional chinese medicine, and a student of wu yi, it's hard to find the "genuine article" when it comes to books and authors. This book is fantastic. The chinese is done in modern pin yin, which makes things much easier. The herbal formulas are definately proper. The history is well written and accurate. They even do a good job including a western look, without taking away from traditional ways, which in my eyes will always be the most important aspects of dit mak.

All of these things have also been covered with the honour and respect they deserve.

Overall, this is definately a must have for any serious martial artist.

Yours,
Hastings

Rating:
Summary: Inside the 36 Chambers of Dim-Mak
Review: First off, let me preface this review and recuse myself to a degree. I am the co-author of this particular book. After much consideration, I decided to post something to Amazon.com, to help give the reader a general idea of the scope and content of this book, since none is currently included with this listing. The Ancient Art of Life and Death: The Book of Dim-Mak, took a considerable amount of time to write. Conservatively, Mr. Walker and I spent almost four years writing the text; roughly equating to 15,000 man-hours of highly specialized research, review, and work. As part of the review process, we submitted large portions of the text to a number of Doctors in the medical community. The intent of this project was to provide the advanced martial arts reader with a host of important facts and information, concerning the effects of martial applications to the acupoint centers of the human body. The major chapter areas of the book include:

1. Historical Overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2. The development of Dim-Mak, Dim Hsueh and Dim Ching
3. The Mechanism of Acupoint Strikes
4. The Medical Risks Associated with Acupoint Strikes
5. The Three Ways of Dim-Mak
6. Introduction to the 36-Chamber Training Sequence
7. Overview of the Classical Acupoint System
8. An Introduction to Herbalism
9. Herbal Formula Preparation and Pharmacology

The section covering the classical acupoint system covers all the points on the 12 major meridians, including both medical and martial information, and health and restoration information. This information is derived from Mr. Walker's extensive martial arts training and professional background, under the direct study of Matsuetsu Kushubi. The coverage of the points will hopefully serve to augment / complement the high quality information previously published on this subject: most notably, the extensive catalog of material of Mr. Erle Montaigue, as well as Dr. Michael Kelly. The book also includes general anatomical drawings and TCM charts of the main meridian acupoints.

As a notation: the two midline collaterals are NOT covered in this book. There are some specific reasons for this. Most importantly, the physiological processes of striking the midline channels (the Governing Vessel and the Conception Vessel) are different than the triggering mechanisms of the main meridian points. The centerline points will be covered in the follow-up book, which Mr. Walker and I are currently in the process of writing.

Rating:
Summary: Great to see; Congratulations!
Review: G'day Rick,

Been a long time mate and this was the only way I had of possibly getting in touch with you again because your e-mail went awol on me. I am very happy to see the long awaited book is finally published and while I have yet to find or see a copy I shall look forward to reading it and reviewing it at a later date. I'd very much like to get in touch again and find out how things are treating you both in training and your academic life. I look forward to hearing from you again and having some good discussions as in the past. Again congrats and I hope this augurs well for your future.

Best regards, Simon - [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Superlative!
Review: I am proud to call Rick Bauer a friend and his prescence in my martial art life has always been positive, informative and influential. His long tireless work to bring this superlative book to fruition, on a deeply intricate and little known art, Dim Mak, is commendable. This collaborative effort with Master Flane Walker has long been needed and I am now able to clearly state that this is the book the internal martial arts community has been missing.

The subject matter, contents and layout of this work have been given keen attention which benefits the overall aesthetic. It is both easy on the readers eye and informative without alienating the layman. It does not play down the depth of these arts for those who frequent it's heights but rather strikes a perfect balance which comfortably caters to all; no mean feat!

In refering to my University manuals on Chinese Accupuncture Point Locations, I made a comparison with this book which did not leave me wanting. My University manuals were a largely dry affair which
catered to the medical TCM fraternity while the Book of Dim Mak covers all bases and then some. Among some of the most delightful aspects of the book is the martial applications of the points as an adjunct to the medical; very important in my view.

The subject of Dim Mak has been given lavish treatment in a most concise fashion, would it were that all books were so accessable when dealing with obscure subjects such as these. I have already found this to be the number one go-to book when requiring detailed information on Dim Mak, and while Erle Montaigue has had his own excellent works out for some years now, I can safely say that this work is an important addition to the study.

I couldn't recommend this work more highly for those with a vested interest in truly understanding the intracies of Dim Mak from tip to toe.



Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I've read many books on karate and pressure point fighting. This is the best book on dim mak ever!

Rating:
Summary: The best book I have every seen on Dim-Mak!
Review: This book is a must have for all Martial Artist or anyone wanting to study and learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine and the points used for both Acupunture and Presure Point Control or Striking.