Art Of Chinese Swordsmanship: Manual Of Taiji Jian

Although this book is written for Wu style T'ai Chi Ch'uan (taijiquan), the information presented can be adapted and used for all styles. The author goes into detail on how to hold the sword, how the empty hand should be held("sword finger"), description on the parts of the weapon, and the stances. Also, there is a full chapter detailing the sword's 13 techniques/energies and how to apply them in Chinese sword fencing. As a Yang style practitioner, I personally use this book as a resource for sword applications/techniques, philosophy, and strategy. A well written and organized book on Tai Ji Jian.

By Alan "T'ai Chi Ch'uan Student" (USA)

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan

That's the best book of Yang Style Taijiquan i've ever read. Much better than the others (including the book of Yang Chenfu, and Zhen Manqing and Yang Zhenduo's books). Its incredibily clear and detailed. But that's not a beginner's book, its for those advanced students who already knows the traditional yang long form.

By Lucas Silveira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan

The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan, which was written by Yang Chengfu, was published in 1923, but despite its importance for taiji practitioners in the west, it was available only in Chinese. I knew about it because my taiji`s master; Dr. Qi Ke Bao, used it as one of his main sources for studying and, of course, teaching it. This book is for advance students who already are acquainted with Yang style long forms and with pushing hands exercises. The emphasis of the author is in functional features and in applications. It is written, as the translator points out, as "demonstration narrative"; when I was reading it, I felt as if receiving specific instructions for the important points in each movement. I think that the translation is precise and that Louis Swaim, the translator, was able to make Yang Chengfu`s ideas accessible to an English reader (Qi Tiang Shu, my master`s son and a Taiji master himself compared some random paragraphs with the original Chinese version and concluded that the translation kept the original sense). I found the translator's comments appropriate and very useful. He explains the meaning of some words, which are difficult to grasp, in such a way that they become more intelligible for a western reader. I think that for someone interested in Taiji, mainly in Yang style, the reading of this book is as necessary as the reading of the Taiji Classics.

By Arturo Clavijo (Bogota, Colombia)

Yang Style Taijiquan

Master Yang Zhen Duo, 4th generation Yang family successor, describes each move of the 103 posture Yang style Taijiquan barehand form originated by his family. The book is illustrated with photographs of Master Yang performing each posture. Applications of the postures are also described, with photographs of Master Yang and his grandson Yang Jun, demonstrating each of the applications.

The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation (Tai Chi)

In its time, this book was the most comprehenesive text book of Tai Chi Chuan in the english language. Master Jou covered every topic in an academic and very intimate fashion. Master Jou was truely a Master of Tai Chi because he was very willing to expose his vulnerablities and weaknesses to teach others how to be powerfully human. He introduced many people to the concept that tai chi was more than a form, but an entire system of development. He defined the lineages, traditons and histories of the major systems and was the first to introduce many players to Chi Kung and integrated movement. My students are all strongly encouraged to read this book. May he assume his place among the Immortals.

By Vincent J. Lasorso (Cincinnati, OH USA)

Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts

This is an excellent book on several of the internal arts, and even goes into some other styles most people have probably never heard of, such as liu he ba fa, but it's not a good book for a beginner. If you're an intermediate student, this book will be fine, but for a rank beginner I think it would be too difficult. But even after a year of good training, this book might be okay (but the person would have to work pretty hard, though).

That having been said, there's a lot of good information here, both about internal arts philosophy and their approach as well as about more practical techniques. internal principles get discussed in detail, and there is a nice presentation of the 16 form set, one I didn't know, and I know a lot of Chinese forms at this point, both in tai chi and kung fu. But the internal martial arts are far more diverse and broader than many people know, and no one can know everything.

Someone commented that the writing wasn't that good, but I disagree. That had to do more with translating more literally from the Chinese into English, so the writing actually sounds in many ways more Chinese rather than like professional written English. And I have no problem with that, having studied a little Mandarin in college.

I agree with Lawrence Kane's earlier review that material on actual combat techniques should have been included, and that the title is therefore misleading. Tai chi, for example, does have knife defense techniques that are rarely seen, and tai chi knife techniques also. (Note that I'm not referring to the tai chi "knife" form, which actually means the broadsword or saber, but smaller knives). But realistically, that would require another book just by itself.

I really enjoyed this book, speaking as someone who has studied tai chi for over 20 years, and also I've had some exposure to ba gua, which I wish I could have had more of, along with hsing i. But perhaps some day I'll be able to do that. In the meantime, this book helped fill some of the gaps in my own knowledge and I can recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about the subject.

By the way, Bruce Kumar Frantzis's book on the internal martial arts is also excellent and I can recommend that too, as well. There is now a new edition of the book out as well.

By magellan (Santa Clara, CA)