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Rating: 
Summary: What more Do you Need
Review: A comprehensive, well researched and documented study of the "original" base 45.
Rating: 
Summary: NEEDUM PICTURES!!!
Review: Ah, fourty-five self defense moves. Shame that there are only thirteen pictures in it! OK, the book had some good concepts, and I'm sure that most of the self-defense lessons are servicable. However, the lack of photos is more than disappointing. I did like the fact that after every lesson, there was a "Concepts to Learn" portion. I'd like to see that in more books like this. In the beggining of the book, concepts, basic striking tools, and stances are covered, though not very well. Many of the terms used in the book are not explained well, or sometimes not at all, and this makes reading difficult. It's an OK book for a martial artist to use, mostly to incorporate into his self-defense studies, and also gives some insight into San Soo, but in that respect is by no means complete. It's a little useful, but may not be worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: NEEDUM PICTURES!!!
Review: Ah, fourty-five self defense moves. Shame that there are only thirteen pictures in it! OK, the book had some good concepts, and I'm sure that most of the self-defense lessons are servicable. However, the lack of photos is more than disappointing. I did like the fact that after every lesson, there was a "Concepts to Learn" portion. I'd like to see that in more books like this. In the beggining of the book, concepts, basic striking tools, and stances are covered, though not very well. Many of the terms used in the book are not explained well, or sometimes not at all, and this makes reading difficult. It's an OK book for a martial artist to use, mostly to incorporate into his self-defense studies, and also gives some insight into San Soo, but in that respect is by no means complete. It's a little useful, but may not be worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Bringing it all back
Review: I have been out of the art for over 13 years for a variety of reasons and was lucky to find this book. Starting with lesson one, it all began to come back. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the art of Kung Fu San Soo.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good,Could Be Better
Review: I'm not a San Soo practitioner; but,as an outsider, I believe that this book gives a fine "feel" for the art. The author writes in a manner that is simple and direct (a blessing in this type of book). Presented are the basic lessons which provide the San Soo student with a solid foundation of self-defense skills. It is clear that the author went to great lengths to preserve this material in as accurate a manner as possible. I certainly hope that he produces many more such works in the future. The only fault which I may find with the book is the relative lack of step-by-step photos to accompany the techniques. The text probably is sufficient to allow the reader to duplicate the moves, but more photos would remove all doubt.
Rating:
Summary: Every Picture tells a story...
Review: I'm not a San Soo practitioner; but,as an outsider, I believe that this book gives a fine "feel" for the art. The author writes in a manner that is simple and direct (a blessing in this type of book). Presented are the basic lessons which provide the San Soo student with a solid foundation of self-defense skills. It is clear that the author went to great lengths to preserve this material in as accurate a manner as possible. I certainly hope that he produces many more such works in the future. The only fault which I may find with the book is the relative lack of step-by-step photos to accompany the techniques. The text probably is sufficient to allow the reader to duplicate the moves, but more photos would remove all doubt.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely terrific job on a terribly difficult endeavor.
Review: The Grandmaster, Jimmy H. Woo taught several different version of these famous and important lessons. In deference to the previous reviewer there are as many versions as their are students who took notes. Most of them noted them as very young students of the art. The core of the lessons is their heart and soul and Master Gatewood clearly lays out their intent and purpose. It is well illustrated. While some look for the perfect set of basics, most of us feel that they are just that, basic and are waiting for his next book. Honi soit que mal y pense...
Rating:
Summary: Kung Fu San Soo's Basic 45 Lesson's
Review: This book is a must read!! Whether your looking for a combat art to study or have been a kung-fu san soo exponent, there is alot of information in this book. Master Gatewood does a great job in detailing the techniques themselves(includes pictures) and explaines even further the lesson(concept, principle) being taught. Although he doesn't mention this in his book, he has had to defend himself numerous times using San Soo while working as a Peace Officer. Master Gatewood also shows the postures used in San Soo and explains their use. It is definately a must read.
Sincerely,
John Wheeler
Rating:
Summary: An excellent work from our main archivist.
Review: While Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo (Lo Sifu Chin Siu Dek) was teaching in Southern California a variety of students recorded the lessons. Since Grandmaster Woo was the first to teach this martial art to anyone who wasn't Chinese, no one was sure about what was the best way to write out the techniques in English. So, those records vary greatly in the quality and clarity of what was written. Master Gatewood kept meticulous records, including many 8mm films and later video tapes. I have a number of copies of these lessons from varying sources and feel that Master Gatewood's book explains the lessons with particular clarity and stresses the priceless principals involved with each technique.Some reviewers have complained about the book lacking enough photographs. That would be true if one were trying to learn Kung Fu San Soo from a book alone. You can't, there's too much to it. If you are an experienced martial artist, looking to gain a familiarity with Kung Fu San Soo, this book will be very informative about our basic techniques. (There are hundreds of Kung Fu San Soo techniques-- the Basic 45 are the foundation for the rest.) So, if you want to learn Kung Fu San Soo, you must learn it from a knowledgeable instructor. For anyone who is, this book is very well written and invaluable.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent work from our main archivist.
Review: While Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo (Lo Sifu Chin Siu Dek) was teaching in Southern California a variety of students recorded the lessons. Since Grandmaster Woo was the first to teach this martial art to anyone who wasn't Chinese, no one was sure about what was the best way to write out the techniques in English. So, those records vary greatly in the quality and clarity of what was written. Master Gatewood kept meticulous records, including many 8mm films and later video tapes. I have a number of copies of these lessons from varying sources and feel that Master Gatewood's book explains the lessons with particular clarity and stresses the priceless principals involved with each technique. Some reviewers have complained about the book lacking enough photographs. That would be true if one were trying to learn Kung Fu San Soo from a book alone. You can't, there's too much to it. If you are an experienced martial artist, looking to gain a familiarity with Kung Fu San Soo, this book will be very informative about our basic techniques. (There are hundreds of Kung Fu San Soo techniques-- the Basic 45 are the foundation for the rest.) So, if you want to learn Kung Fu San Soo, you must learn it from a knowledgeable instructor. For anyone who is, this book is very well written and invaluable.
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