Rating: 
Summary: Informative But Lacking Quality Instruction
Review: Although I disdain books with more pictures than words, this one is lacking the needed photographic detail that provides for quality instruction of a physical art. Its one strong point is that it details much by way of esoterics. UNFORTUNATELY, esoterics alone do not make up the practice of Tai Chi. In addition, esoterics are not what keep people practicing for years on end.
Rating: 
Summary: Teachings of a Genuine Master
Review: An absolute gem! From the very beginning, I was inspired by the amazing accomplishments of a man who first began his Tai Chi journey, at age 47, when he was at death's door due to an enlarged heart and severe gastric disorders. The extent of his accomplishments is quite evident from the extraordinary insights he shares on the internals - the true essence of Tai Chi. I dare say that there are many very senior practitioners of Tai Chi who, upon reading this book, will realize that they have not really been practicing Tai Chi at all. This book will quickly let sincere students everywhere know whether their current instructor truly knows Tai Chi, or whether they need to continue their search for a genuine master of this marvelous art. Master Tsung Hwa Jou's writings serve as a clear guide to help students to distinguish the few flowers that exist today in a vast field overrun by weeds.
Rating:
Summary: The famous "White Book" is now a different colour!
Review: First a bibliographical note: although the ISBN has not changed from earlier editions, this latest (and possibly last) edition is more than just a reprint. While all of the original text (and those wonderful "Letters") have been retained, it also contains a totally new section on the "42-Step Taijiquan Compulsory Routine", complete with line drawings and a floor-diagram. Also, the title now conforms to Pinyin spelling.No-one is going to learn a Taijiquan sequence from this book; that is not its purpose and there are many other works out there which pretend to that role. Further, some of the traditional historical accounts presented by Master Jou have possibly been superceded by the investigations of modern researchers such as Professor Doug Wile). But for the serious Taijiquan practitioner, Master Jou's work is still an absolutely essential reference. No-one else has so ably presented the essentials of the art's philosophy and internal structural dynamics. Further, in intelligibly relating Taijiquan to classical Chinese culture, Master Jou provided a wonderful key to the art's deeper elements. Master Jou's unique combination of an intelligently critical approach with a genuine reverence for the classics drew together students and masters from many different Taijiquan traditions. He must therefore be considered one of the "grandmasters" of North American Taijiquan. He is much missed, but at least we still have this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Classic Book for All !!!
Review: For anyone seeeking Taiji wisdom and explanations of the principles, you must own this reference work. This book provides the most understandable and comprehensive information about Taiji Quan(Tai Chi Chuan) that you may ever see assembled in one book. It not only encapsulates a myriad of principles, it also covers some of the pertinent philosophy of Taiji. Then, as if this wasn't adequate, Master Jou Tsung Hwa takes the liberty of illustrating the many styles in drawings that are very discernable. He explains the concepts very thoroughly, as only a master could. How I envy those who actually knew him and were priviledged to study under him. But, for the rest of us, he at least left a very usable and noteworthy reference by which to become his disciples and the disciples of the TAO.
Rating:
Summary: In my opinion, this is the Tai Chi bible
Review: For the beginner, or teacher and all in-between, this book supplies more valuable information than any book I have in my library. I consistently refer to this book for corrections, breathing, and philisophical questions, and have for years. As a beginner in Tai Chi training, this book was invaluable as a reference while first learning the physical postures, and as I learn more, the book stays a step ahead and provides information I can understand as I am able. This is the first book I recommend to all seeking information in this area.
Rating:
Summary: The best Tai Chi book ever written (and I've read MANY!)
Review: I am not a fan of writing or reading reviews in Amazon.com, but this book definitiely deserves the time for me to write it and for you to read it. I have read many books on Tai Chi and this is by far the most comprehensive. The author approaches the concepts on Tai Chi and Chinese philosophy and binds them together into the practice of Tai Chi. A little bit of history, a little bit of classics, a little bit of self interpretation. If you are interested in deepening your knowledge of Tai Chi (regardless of the style you practice) I recommend this book to you.
Rating:
Summary: buy it
Review: I could go into detail about all the pluses and minuses of this book but honestly, this is one of the best inspirational and useful books on Tai Ji ever written. It is not for the beginner though. It is not much of an instructional book but more of a theory and inspirational book. Written superbly, you will enjoy this book if you're into Tai Ji... I guarantee it! If you doubt that the author knows his stuff, just look at the photo of him at 80 years old. Tai Ji has truly kept him young and healthy. You can't go wrong to open up your mind to his fresh and stimulating views.
Rating:
Summary: buy it
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. Four stars would be a rather generous evaluation, three stars is probably too severe. There are hundreds of drawings showing the forms of the different styles. This part is excellent and it will serve you very well in remembering the sequences. Obviously, it is impossible to learn the forms only from drawings: no book could possibly do it.
The rest is not very convinving to me. I have the impression that the author, in his quest to deliver knowledge, gave too many personal interpretations. The borderline between facts and legends is often blurred. I am not capable of assessing whether the philosophy of Tao is explained properly, nonetheless it's interesting. Would I buy this book in back perspective? Probably I would, however this book didn't click my switches. Yet.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading
Review: I have mixed feelings about this book. Four stars would be a rather generous evaluation, three stars is probably too severe. There are hundreds of drawings showing the forms of the different styles. This part is excellent and it will serve you very well in remembering the sequences. Obviously, it is impossible to learn the forms only from drawings: no book could possibly do it.
The rest is not very convinving to me. I have the impression that the author, in his quest to deliver knowledge, gave too many personal interpretations. The borderline between facts and legends is often blurred. I am not capable of assessing whether the philosophy of Tao is explained properly, nonetheless it's interesting. Would I buy this book in back perspective? Probably I would, however this book didn't click my switches. Yet.
Rating:
Summary: DAMN!!
Review: I just finished reading this book and all I can say is *WOW*. There is so much information on each page, you simply can't absorb it all in a few sittings. Once I was done reading this, I realized how little some of my tai chi instructors knew about tai chi, which was kind of depressing. On the plus side, I now know what I need to look for in a teacher so I can be sure I'm getting the real deal, instruction-wise. If anyone wants to know more about the late author or his school, the TaiChiFarm, his students recently put up a memorial website about him. We're not supposed to put URL's in the reviews so you'll have to use a little detective work to find the site but it's worth the hunt. It gives you an idea of what the guy was all about and may also give you another reason to consider buying the book.
|
