Kung Fu and Tai Chi: Chinese Karate and Classical Exercises

Rating:
Summary: An old school classic!
Review: Originally published in 1968 this little gem of a book has stood the test of time. Teaches kung fu and tai chi in a clear concise manner without all the hype. Great basics and lots of cool forms. After all these years this book is still my favorite. Don't miss this one!

Rating:
Summary: Another one to put on your (Tai Chi Books to avoid List)
Review: This Bruce Tegner book is outdated. The section on Kung Fu is actually some style of Japanese or Okinawan Karate. And the information in the Tai Chi section is incorrect and out-dated. [Today the medical community regularly praises the numerous health benefits of practicing Tai Chi.] If you are looking for a good introductory book on Tai Chi? Get yourself a copy of "The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice" by Wong Kiew Kit or "The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation" by Jou, Tsung Hwa.

Rating:
Summary: Poorly researched; a good "must-avoid" book
Review: This has to be one of the worst books on Chinese kung-fu I have ever seen. I do not own a copy of it; I read about half of it in the book store, and that was enough to convince me that Mr. Tegner does not know a whole lot about Chinese kung-fu. *Note: This is not to say that Mr. Tegner knowledgable about fighting or other styles of martial arts, just that his kung-fu knowledge is very limited. The statement that tipped me off the most was the commentary on the taichi ("yin-yang"), something to the effect that the influence of the symbol's philosophy is negligable at best in the practice of Chinese martial arts. Horse manure. The Taoist concepts of yin and yang are obviously prevalent in all aspects of all existing styles of classical Chinese kung-fu. From health to breathing to combat theory to body positioning, the presence of the Tao is obvious to any who care to look closely. The concept of balancing oneself out, whether through physical means or attack/defense philosophy, is carefully woven into surviving true Chinese systems. The Chinese "katas" that were shown were quite laughable. The kung-fu form seemed to be a bad parody of stylized jeet kune do mixed with boxing and a poor imitation of the Sil Lum Tao form of Wing Chun. The "modern interpretation" of Tai Chi violated so many positioning principles, one has to wonder where or with whom the choreographer studied Tai Chi, if they studied it at all. Both seemed to be poor improvisations based on some movements briefly seen from quite a long distance away. This is a terrible book on the subject of Chinese kung-fu. Anyone interested in learning classical Chinese kung-fu should look up Bucksom Kong, Yang Jwing-Ming, and Bok Nam Park (a classical Pa Kua Chang master) and seek out any English translations of Chinese kung-fu books. Granted, they won't all be gems, but they're almost all guaranteed to be better than this piece of rubbish.