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Rating: 
Summary: Beauty is only skin deep...
Review: ...but ugly goes straight to the bone, and this book is a literal example of both sides of that old aphorism. While the raw quantity and quality of photos are very good, the main substance of the book - teaching the Cheng form - is done poorly by the book model. The model displays poor posture in almost every photo, with a strongly curved back (Tai Chi demands a straight back) and lack of precision in positioning of hands and feet. As a martial artist with moderate experience interested in learning Tai Chi, the sloppiness in form was very disappointing. Contrast this book with the expert, precise posture and position of, say, Master Liang's book.As it demands great self-control and awareness, Tai Chi is virtually impossible to learn well without a teacher, and this book will not help you in any case. It's too bad, because it otherwise uses good practices (multiple perspectives on a posture, notes on each main sequence, foot diagrams, transition drawings). You'll need to find a solid teacher, and get a better book.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty is only skin deep...
Review: ...but ugly goes straight to the bone, and this book is a literal example of both sides of that old aphorism. While the raw quantity and quality of photos are very good, the main substance of the book - teaching the Cheng form - is done poorly by the book model. The model displays poor posture in almost every photo, with a strongly curved back (Tai Chi demands a straight back) and lack of precision in positioning of hands and feet. As a martial artist with moderate experience interested in learning Tai Chi, the sloppiness in form was very disappointing. Contrast this book with the expert, precise posture and position of, say, Master Liang's book. As it demands great self-control and awareness, Tai Chi is virtually impossible to learn well without a teacher, and this book will not help you in any case. It's too bad, because it otherwise uses good practices (multiple perspectives on a posture, notes on each main sequence, foot diagrams, transition drawings). You'll need to find a solid teacher, and get a better book.
Rating: 
Summary: Complete Book of Tai Chi
Review: By far the best book I have found that explains Tai Chi in terms a beginner can understand. Stewart describes each move by breaking down body movements. I am an instructor of the Yang style and recommend it to all of my students, use it daily myself. Thank You Stewart
Molly Carrington
Lowcountry tai chi .com
Bluffton SC
Rating:
Summary: Complete Book of Tai Chi
Review: By far the best book I have found that explains Tai Chi in terms a beginner can understand. Stewart describes each move by breaking down body movements. I am an instructor of the Yang style and recommend it to all of my students, use it daily myself. Thank You Stewart
Molly Carrington
Lowcountry tai chi .com
Bluffton SC
Rating:
Summary: Complete, concise, correct.
Review: I have studied three books on Tai Chi. The different forms used by different masters can create confusion. The form in this book is an accepted standard. The layout, details, photographs, tips and text are superb. Pictures of the entire form are reproduced, in sequence, on the fly leaves. Learning Tai Chi requires a teacher. But this book will accelerate your learning process appreciably.
Rating:
Summary: Complete, concise, correct.
Review: I have studied three books on Tai Chi. The different forms used by different masters can create confusion. The form in this book is an accepted standard. The layout, details, photographs, tips and text are superb. Pictures of the entire form are reproduced, in sequence, on the fly leaves. Learning Tai Chi requires a teacher. But this book will accelerate your learning process appreciably.
Rating:
Summary: Bad technique but informative
Review: The photos in the book are very clear but that's a bad thing... The book presents bad technique and form. As a tae kwon do, wing chun, and with a months experience in tai chi, even I know that it has bad form. But, the book gives you a lot of information and teaches a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Bad technique but informative
Review: The photos in the book are very clear but that's a bad thing... The book presents bad technique and form. As a tae kwon do, wing chun, and with a months experience in tai chi, even I know that it has bad form. But, the book gives you a lot of information and teaches a lot.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book, lack few important points
Review: This book is great. The only thing that the author miss is the flowing of all the movements at a slow, even and inpausible pace. The author concentrates on 'song', relaxation awareness, this is vital but he miss pointing out that tai chi is actually an art of constant change and not taught by the numbers. Furthermore Grand Master Cheng Man Ching's 37 step form takes about 9 and 12 minutes preferbably. All these reference is taken from Nigel Sutton's, Tai Chi Chuan: Roots and Branches.
Rating:
Summary: Learning is almost as good as being with a teacher.
Review: This exceptional photographic book is one of a kind. It stands as close as you can get without being with a true teacher. Indepth detail showing all necessary steps and jestures that are required. The only thing missing is an actual teacher to ask questions.
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