ALPHABETICAL LISTING OF PLUM KUNG FU BOOKS IN ENGLISH

The Kung Fu books listed here are special, every one of them. They either are exceptional quality or represent information generally unavailable. You may have to search a little: Chow Gar for Phoenix Eye, Mei Hua Style under Long Fist, for example. We are always interested in recommendations and you will see that certain books have ours.

Annotations on Taijiquan's 9 Songs and 81 Postures and other selections   This translation gives excerpts from a famous book on T'ai Chi by Wu Meng Hsia and Wu Bei Feng. The original is considered by some to be an important source material for T'ai Chi.

Bagua Lianxi Fa "BAGUA PRACICE METHOD": The original text is by Jiang Rong Qiao with Joseph Crandall translating. This is the creator of the "new" Bagua one of the most practiced forms around today.

Bagua Dao  "BAGUA SABER": The original text is by Guo Zhen Ya with Joseph Crandall translating. An early explanation of how to perform a nice Bagua Saber set.

BaGua You Shen Zhang with Wang Shu Jin  Every year, in Taiwan, hundreds of people come to Wang's grave to pay respects. This is the "Swimming Body" Bagua of a well known and very influential teacher, in translation.   

Bagua Zhuan Jian Bagua Turning Sword: This is a translation of a Bagua Sword set with two sources: Liu Xing Han and Huang Xin.

Chang Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan   Probably the greatest Chinese wrestler of the 20th century was Chang Dong Sheng who ended up teaching in Taiwan. Rough, tough and undefeated, he developed this version of Yang Taiji with a distinct emphasis on throwing techniques...

Chen Pan Ling's Original T'ai Chi Ch'uan Textbook   A compilation of instruction and teaching theories from a man considered by some to be one of the top martial historians and teachers of his time. Though rare, we have studied this style and find Chen's blend of Taiji, Xing Yi and Bagua to be one of the best ever done. Also known as "Integrated Tai Chi" it was developed during that golden era of the Nanjing Martial Renaissance.

Cheng Shi Bagua Zhang   "Cheng Family BaGua Palms": The original text is by Ma You Qing and Liu Jing Ru with Joseph Crandall translating. This is an early text on the basics and practice of such Cheng Bagua essentials as the Right Palm Changes, The Eight Mother Palms and the 24 Movement Partner set.

Chinese Chi Kung  This little booklet is one of the first translations on this subject in the English language.

Chinese Swordsmanship  This new book by Scott Rodell shows many aspects of the T'ai Chi sword from two teachers and also goes into much detail on historical points like armor and battlefield technique. Has DVD to accompany it.

Choy Lay Fut Spinning Spear   Nicely presented CLF spear set in COLOR ...

Dao of Taijiquan   Jou Tsung Hwa's book was the first compendium of general T'ai Chi theory of an substance. The creator of the Tai Chi Farm was himself an eclectic practitioner who, in this very interesting text, shows a lot of knowledge, some odd ideas and ever- to his credit- his own limitations. For the latter see his section on the Eight Energies and you'll see how in the dark everyone was at the time about exactly what the comprised. Nonetheless we would consider this an essential.

Dragon Staff and Butterfly Knives   A short, well presented and easy to learn set with these two famous weapons. Derived in essence from the Fu Jow style.

Dragon Tiger Double Broadsword Style  This is the collectible FIRST EDITION of a book on this unusual combination of weapons,basically a straight sword and a butterfly knife.

Drunkard's Fist by Leung Ting   Feeling a little tipsy? Here is a book on the Drunken boxing with an older, experienced player demonstrating...

Eagle Claw BaBu LienHuan & Shaolin Chui   Another well done little book with famous and essential forms of the Eagle Claw system such as Eight Steps Linked and Shaolin Hammers.

Emei Bagua Zhang  Here is a large book on Bagua by Liang Shou Yu and Yang Jwing Ming. Many exercises and patterns. Actually a pretty good text. Be warned, teacher Liang is an expert at Shuai Jiao and some of the "Bagua" exercises are borrowed from that style and only secondarily possess a BGZ flavor.

Essential Movements of T'ai Chi   John Kotsias's book is extremely clear and perceptive. A math teacher, Kotsias truly goes to the core of the subject. We still recommend this as a text for Qigong and Taiji classes in venues such as acupuncture schools.

Fu Shi Lung Xing Bagua Zhang   "Fu Style Dragon Shaped Bagua Style": The original text is by Fu Yong Hui and Lia Zhong Hong with Joseph Crandall translating. The relatively rare branch of Bagua developed by Fu Zhen Zong, friend of Sun Lu Tang and Yang Chen Fu.

Henan Orthodox Xing Yi  "Xing Yi Five Element Linked Boxing ": The original text in Chinese is a collaboration of Pei XiRong, Li YingArng and Lu Songgao with Joseph Crandall translating. This text has a number of sections: history of Xing Yi, oral instructions for mastering the art, descriptions of the Ten Animals, intermediate forms such as Dragon and Tiger FIghting...

Illustrations of T'ai Chi Ch'uan Simplified   The main draw of this simple and simplified text, other than being inexpensive, is that it is en face in facing Chinese and English. A good study guide. By the way it is Yang style.

Liang Zhen Pu 8 Trigram Palm with Li Zi Ming  We have been impressed with the structure and strength of Liang style Bagua. This book isn't only by the creator of that branch but it is edited by one of the most famous Bagua people of the twentieth century and a well known American practitioner with a lot of practical experience.

Nei Jia Quan  This is an interview book. A number of teachers of "Internal Style" Boxing are represented along with Tim Cartmell, Kumar Frantzis , Fong Ha and others. Not well focused but interviews are always interesting and fun reading.

QiGong for Health Promotion  One of the most complete translations of a technical book on the art of QiGong; by Jiao GuoRi.

Science of Internal Strength by Zhang Nai Qi  This thin book is very interesting. Intelligently written, it was issued in the 30's and talks logically yet philosophically about the practice of the internal aspects of Kung Fu. Worth reading.

Secrets of Shaolin Temple Boxing   Robert Smith's important little book is the first volume we ever read on Shaolin. Many others would say the same.

Secrets of the T'ai Chi Circle  This quest tale explores the process of learning T'ai Chi in a fictional story. Much fun.

Seven Star Mantis Series #1   In English and Chinese. Three sets shown: Da Fan Che (Big Turning Cart), Xiao Fan Che (Little Turning Cart) and Li Pi Quan (Strong Split Boxing).

Sun's style T'ai Chi Ch'uan  This is one of the first books on Sun T'ai Chi in English. It is written by Sun's daughter herself and Paul Tam, also an expert in Sun.

Tai Chi "13 Method" Sword   A simple explanation of the Tai Chi Sword printed in both English and Chinese.   

T'ai Chi's Ancestors  This is yet a further exploration into the history of T'ai Chi. Professor Wiley, a good writer, is beginning the inevitable process of academization of the subject. We'll discuss this mixed bag at a future time. The information on this book shows some precedents for the style such as the work of Chang Nai Chou and the Sung Dynasty style: T'ai Tzu Quan. The former is indisputable. The latter is discounted by such eminent scholars are Kang Ge Wu but is at present enjoying a popular support.

Tai Chi Dragon Fan  The beautiful and expert Bow Sim Mark demonstrates this version of the fan.

T'ai Chi Notebook for Martial Artists  Teacher Scott Rodell's thought on the transmission of essential T'ai Chi knowledge.

Taoist Meditation   "Methods for Cultivating a Healthy Mind and Body". This is one of Thomas Cleary's easiest translations to grasp. Here are many Taoist texts but, of unusual interest, is one from the reputed creator of Tai Chi, Chang San Feng, himself.

Tao of Peace   This same book, paradoxically, also goes under the title, "The Tao of War" . Ralph Sawyer has become one of the most recognized experts on Chinese military theory. This hardbound book chronicles Wang Chen's insights into the shape and face of waging peace.

Taoist Te-Ching  Richard John Lynn is the Chair of Asian Studies at Alberta. This excellent translation contains the famous Wang Bi commentaries, also well rendered by Professor Lynn.

Wu Dang Bagua Zhang   "WuDang Bagua": The original text is by Fei Yin Tao and Fei Yu Liang with Joseph Crandall translating. This is one of the few texts with essays and essential points on studying Bagua. At the end it gives the details of Fei's version of the style.

Wu Dang Bagua Lian Huan Yue   "WuDang Linked Moons ": The original text is by Huang Xin with Joseph Crandall translating. This is from a series of eight installment teaching the Elk Horn knives with each section linked to an animal.

WuDang Tai Yi Wu Xing Boxing  A A rare WuDang form dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The book claims it to be one of the longest authentic forms in captivity. Nicely described with much detail.

Wu Style T'ai Chi Chuan with Wang Pei Sheng   Actually some say that Wang's great ability was much more in Tong Bei than T'ai Chi but nonetheless we don't just consider this a good T'ai Chi book—or even just martial arts books— we consider this one of the best written just because of its logical and detailed approach. For instance it not only identifies points but says what you should "feel" as you practice. A great effort.

Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Push Hands  This is an essential book for Wu stylists. Written by the world famous Ma Yueh Liang it shows the basics of the Wu approach to Push Hands.

Xing Yi Nei Gong   This, by Dan Miller and Tim Cartmell, is one of the most popular regimens we sell. And it comes with a video companion!

Xing Yi Wu Xing Lian huan Quan  "Xing Yi Five Element Linked Boxing ": Joseph Crandall translating. This is supposedly by Li Cun Yi but we know large portions were written by Jiang Rong Qiao. Two sets are contained: Za Shi Chui (Miscellaneous Strikes) and Ba Shi Quan (Eight Form Boxing).

Xing Yi Za Shi Chui and Ba Shi Quan  "Xing Yi Mixed Fists and Eight Forms Boxing ": The original text was by Jiang Rong Qiao with Joseph Crandall translating. This text contains pictorial descriptions of the two long Xing Yi forms listed.

Yang Chen Fu: The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan   Louis Swain translates a famous key volume on the Yang Style of T'ai Chi.

Yin Shih Bagua Zhang   "Yin Style Bagua Palms": The original text is by Zhang Lie with Joseph Crandall translating. Zhu is a "real treasure" with high level expertise. This is considered by the translator one of the best introductions to Yin style Bagua.

Yin Shih LianHuan Zhang  "Yin Style Linked Palms": The original text is by Zhu bao Zhen with Joseph Crandall translating. Zhang's book shows a truly lengthy set of Yin Style supposedly through Cao branch. Involved.

Yin Yang Ba Pan Zhang   The original text is by Ren Zhi Cheng with Joseph Crandall translating. This is a rarely seen style that might have been a precursor, one of the only authentic claims to this distinction, of Dong Hai Chuan's Bagua. Worth it just for the old photographs.

Yin Yang Ba Pan Zhang Essentially the same book as the one above. When our publisher, Lion Books, reprinted this text there came a number of people translating it. Why? Because this is one of the very few (like only, in our thoughts) claimant to another origin for Bagua. Worth having in any Bagua library. Also check out our Lion Books reprint of the original Chinese, better photos.

Yu Shen Lianhuan Bagua Zhang   "Pre/Post Natal Bagua": The original text is by Wen Zhong Shi with Joseph Crandall translating. This text covers Gao Yi Sheng's 64 line style of Bagua.