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.

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6 Healing Sounds   Gin Soo Mark, a top teacher of the Southern Mantis, gives us a book on the esoteric "healing sounds" associated with Chi Kung and Nei Gong practice .
10 Routine Spring Leg  We love this form and this is probably our best book - and cheapest - on the subject of the famous Tan Tui (Spring Leg) exercise.
18 Method Arhat Chin Na   Chin Nah both as single and partner applications and performance.
24 Running Foot Strokes   An inexpensive and expanded version of Lee's classic mentioned above, but real.
64 Leg Attacks of Shaolin  From the Buddha Warrior ZiRan style of Shaolin...
72 Consummate Arts and Secrets of Shaolin  A translation of a famous book showing "secret" Shaolin training methods...
108 Techniques of the Shaolin Wooden Dummy Hall  A double book reproducing old wood block illustrations of bald headed monks performing the applications from the fabulous "Hall of Wooden Dummy" techniques. We can't vouch for the authenticity but ...
116 Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Techniques with Yip Man  The famous "golden book" on the art of the Mook Jong demonstrated by Yip Man right before passing away.
Advanced Chinese Leg Maneuvers   An authentic bootleg (no pun intended) of Lee Ying Arn's classic

Ancient Chinese Hidden Weapons   A survey of the many unusual weapons in Kung Fu practice, many of them projectile, which can be hidden on the human body.

Authentic Wing Chun Weapons  This is a good basic book on the main weapons of this popular style, namely Butterfly Knives and Staff. Applications are shown.
The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship  This book is recommended. The author was a student of the excellent Wang Pei Sheng and brings some of Sheng's serious momentum to the subject!
Ba Gua Quan This book is by Han Jing He, who has studied in the Gong Bao Tian lineage.
Bong Bu #1 by Shihfu Paul Eng Here is one of five beautifully done volumes on the art of the Praying Mantis.
Chang Quan (Long Fist) Compulsory Routines:   A very early codification of Mainland China's compulsories
Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals   A historical survey on those wonderful training books so many of us collect. Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo translate over thirty of these famous and hard to find ...

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.

Chinese Wrestling Methods of Grappling and Throwing  A new translation of a 1930's Shuai Jiao classic by Dong Zhong Yi. Hundreds of great old photos...
Chin Woo: Tan Tui & Gong Li Quan  This is a pair of famous forms from a famous organization: the Jin Wu (Chin Woo) Association. In some quarters Gong Li (Flowing Strength) is rated almost as highly as Tan Tui.
Chin Woo: DaZhan Quan & Jie Quan  A pair of famous forms from a famous organization: the Jin Wu (Chin Woo) Association. These were considered a little more advanced than Tan Tui and Gong Li (see these).
Chin Woo: Partner Tan Tui #1   The ChinWoo version of the Tan Tui with practice for partners. Of all two person versions of Tan Tui this is without a doubt the most famous. Because of the extensive details this form is covered in two volumes in this series. This is volume #1 of the full twelve road version.
Chin Woo: Partner Tan Tui #2   The ChinWoo version of the Tan Tui with practice for partners. Of all two person versions of Tan Tui this is without a doubt the most famous. Because of the extensive details this form is covered in two volumes in this series. This is volume #2 of the full twelve road version.
Chin Woo: Basic Weapons  This volume has the ChinWoo versions of three weapons: Bagua Dao (Eight Direction Saber), and HuPu ChunYang gun ( Pure Yang Staff) and Wu Hu Qiang (Five Tiger Spear). The latter is demonstrated by Mr. Chiu Chi Lin of Hebei.
Choy Lay Fut by Doc Fai Wong A good introduction co-authored by well known martial writer Jane Hallender ...
Choy Lay Fut by Lee Koon Hong  The dynamic style of Choy Lai Fut outlined by a popular Chinese teacher ...
Choy Lay Fut Dragon Fan   Well photographed and layed out CLF spear set in COLOR ...

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

Choy Lay Fut Whirling Staff   Well known CLF instructor Lee Koon Hung in a special color folio of this ...
Classical T'ai Chi Sword  A nicely done book on the subject with one of Tuttle's better presentations.
Complete book of Shaolin by Wong Kiew Kit   A wonderfully enthusiastic and comprehensive introduction to what Wong considers the "greatest martial arts style". Worth reading if you are interested in the style.
Complete Iron Palm Training  A reissue and recompilation of one of the most famous early texts on Iron Palm training.

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.

Deadly Blows   Brian Adams' famous work on the medical implications of martial strikes
Da Cheng Kung Fu   Right now one of the most popular styles. Derived from Xing Yi, with a strong emphasis on fighting and internal practice. This a hard-to-find book by the style's "gate keeper." We are just about the only source for this one.
Dim Mak   "The deadly art of the Death Touch, revealed in a classic kitschy volume.
Dragon Form Fist   A nice little text in Chinese and English on the Southern Dragon...

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...

Drunken Monkey  If it were the year of the monkey (and you weren't a Tiger) you could justifiablly be a bit wavey, here's the combination, Drunken and Monkey. Yes, it's real...

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.

Eagle Claw Kung Fu   A reissue and enlargement of the very first major Eagle Claw Kung Fu book in the English language by Leung Shum. Long overdue...
Eagle Claw WuHuaBao & Qian LiuShi   A nicely done little book with a famous Leopard Form from the Eagle Claw system...
Effortless Combat Throws   Tim Cartmell's book is one of the most popular and straight forward introductions to throwing....
Empowerment with Freedom from Fear   A workbook of woman's self-defense by chiropractor and martial expert, Craig Beuttler. A PLUM exclusive.
Entering Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw System)   Derived from Hung Gar and Black Tiger. One of the most popular styles in the US...
Essential Anatomy for Health and Martial Arts   Excellent cross reference for any martial artist
The Essentials of Ba Gua Zhang
This book by Gao ji Wu and Tom Bisiio concentrates on the famous Gao Family Style of Ba Gua with over 550 photographs, very clear presentation and many translated key "songs" ...
Empty Force The book on a controversial aspect of martial training: the use of Chi Kung to generate Kong Ling Chi ...
Five GanZhi MeiHua Zhuang Techniques (Plum Blossom Boxing)   This major Northern Chinese style has weathered revolutions and centuries of change. It is also famous for battling atop wooden poles.
Fundamentals of Shuai Chiao Here is Dr. Weng's textbook, the first major book in English on the art of Chinese Wrestling....
Great Sage Monkey Kung Fu System:    The first Moneky Boxing book in English? Probably, and one of the more authentic...
Gung Gee Fook Fu (Taming the Tiger) by Bucksam Kong  One of the primary fists of Southern Style Hung Gar Tiger Crane style ...
Hung Gar Self Defense:   This unusual book is for the Hung enthusiast. Written by Shihfu Ho Lap Tin, it shows the Dragon and Tiger Umbrella set, 8 healthy ways for the body and some self defense methods with Fan, bench, cane etc. ...
Illustrated Shaolin Grappling:  A simple, inexpensive book from China on locking and restraining with Chinese and English en face.
Intelligent Straight Sword of the Lama School   "LaMa" style (as in Tibetan Lama) is also known as Tibetan White Crane.
Journey of a Martial Arts Master   A scrapbook, a memoir, a celebration of one dedicated martial artist's quest in the world of Kung Fu.
Kao Shou Fan Zi Quan   A "cuffed hand" set from the famous tumbling boxing style.

Keep Fit Self Massage    A simple introduction to keeping healthy and active through self massage.

Kung Fu: History, Philosophy and Technique  An early survey of the field with some good photos by the original stand-in for Carradine in the Kung Fu series. Chow was originally a Judo man but the book is serviceable. A decent intro.
Kung Fu for Young People   An illustrated children's book of Kung Fu with well known cartoonist, Frank Hill and Ted Mancuso ...
Kwan Dao Play   The Kuan Dao is a heavy weapon for the practitioner to learn about leverage and control. A decent set with the weapon and other information.
Kwan Dao Saber   For those who like Kuan Do, it is a great weapon though much less frequently performed than formerly.
Lone Sword Against the Cold Cold Sky   We proudly publish this collection of essays on the art of Kung Fu by one of the best writers and instructors ever to write in English. In our opinion, an essential text concentrating on the meaning of the training, the emotional commitments necessary and the inevitable stumbling blocks to a full understanding of this great art.
Lost T'ai Chi Classics  There are so many stories about "lost manuscripts" that give away the secrets of Kung Fu. And here it really happened when additional T'ai Chi classics writings were discovered in the latter half of this century. This coupled with Wiley's smooth writing style and provocative opinions makes for a book which should be much more popular than it is.
Mantis Steals the Peach #3 by Shihfu Paul Eng Here is one of five beautifully done volumes on the art of the Praying Mantis.
Martial Arts Teaching Tales   The title tells the story, tales and morals from the martial studies.
Monkey Boxing   A popular Chinese/English book on this imitative style of Hou Quan.
Mook Jong Construction Book   Save hundreds! Build you own wooden dummy...
Northern Mantis Black Tiger Intersecting Fist   In English and Chinese. An intermediate Mantis form which could be learned from a book...
Northern Mantis Intercepting Fist   In English and Chinese
Northern Shaolin 12 Tan Tui Boxing  One of the most famous basic sets in all of Kung Fu.
Plum Blossom Hand #4 by Shihfu Paul Eng Here is one of five beautifully done volumes on the art of the Praying Mantis.
Phoenix-Eye Kung Fu  The first book in English on Chu Gar. Draeger and Chambers both always produced significant work on anything that came to their attention. Good.
Practical Chin Na  In our opinion one of the best and most logical books written on the subject. Infinitely superior to Yang Jwing Ming's efforts.
Praying Mantis Yen Qing Saber  A book by Huang Han Xun (Wong Han Fun), the "Mantis King", explaining the use of a well known mantis saber set.
Praying Mantis Series # 1 & #2   McLisa's original books on mantis with Bong Bu single and duet...

Rope Dart and Steel Whip One of the very few books on the category of Kung Fu weapons known as "soft".

Secrets of the Drunken Fist   Here is a self published introductory manual that shows much information on the Eight Shadows Branch of Drunkard's Boxing with acupoints, a form, applications ...

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).

Seven Star Mantis Series #2    In English and Chinese. Three sets shown: Da Jia Shi, Xiao Jia Shi and Tang Lang Chui.
Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu   This book is over thirty five years old but it is one of the best ever written in English for a feel of the Mantis ...
Shantung Black Tiger Kung Fu   It's a classic.
Shaolin 12 Road Tan Tui (Spring Leg)   This is the Spring Leg set that has 12 roads. The book is thorough and printed in both Chinese and English.
Shaolin Hong Quan Boxing (Big and Small)   Joseph Crandall's translation from the Chinese of a Shaolin book by Wang Si Qian.
Shaolin "Martial Skill" Boxing   For the first time in English the famous Fifth road of Shaolin is explicated along with notes on the famous Northern Shaolin Fist system of Gu Ru Zhang, one of our great grandteachers...
Shaolin MOI FAH by Wing Lam and Ted Mancuso   One of the 10 sets of Gu Ru Zhang's (Ku Yu Cheong's) core Shaolin series
Shaolin Long Fist  It's been 20 years and this is still one of the most straight forward introductions to the history and forms of Kung Fu (5 forms included)
Shaolin Luohan Kung Fu: This book, by Donn Draeger, is still one of the best explorations of ANY Kung Fu system. Written in Malaysia, it was one of the first Shaolin books in English and brought a lot of nuts and bolts information when all other texts were story books...
Shaolin Ten Animals:    A Southern Kung Fu form of the Shaolin system mimicking the actions of the famous 10 animals...
Shaolin Tiger Boxing  This bilingual book shows a Tiger form handed down from Beggar Boxing.
Shaolin Tiger Style Boxing  Lots of styles have a Tiger Boxing form. But this one is from the infamous "Beggar's" Style. Also an Arhat form. Printed in English side by side with Chinese.
Shaolin White Crane Style Kung Fu   A new and impressive volume - a labor of love -on the Fujian White Crane system that is such a good Kung Fu style and one of the inspirations for Okinawan Karate ...
Shaolin White Crane Style by Yang Jwing Ming   One of Yang's better books on a style he learned in Taiwan. Over 300 pages ...
Shooting Star Fist of Hung Gar Kung Fu:   A fist combining major Hung Family Tiger/Crane movements by one of the Deng Fang's old disciples
Skills of the Vagabonds #1 by Leung Ting   Volume one of this hardback book on the original Chinese Ninja, vagabond boxers. Secrets and Tricks "from where the Japanese Ninjutsu originated"
Skills of the Vagabonds #2 by Leung Ting   Volume two of this hardback book on the original Chinese Ninja, vagabond boxers. This one is called, "Behind the Incredibles."
Simplified Chin Nah (Capture Skills)  A nice en face Chinese/English edition of some of the most popular and important Chin Na skills. Inexpensive but not too basic to learn something.  
Single Thrust Blossom #5 by Shihfu Paul Eng Here is one of five beautifully done volumes on the art of the Praying Mantis.
Siu Nim Tau by Leung Ting   This is a condensation and comilation from Leing Ting's well known "red book." It concentrates on the essential first form ...
Spear Hand #1 by Shihfu Paul Eng Here is one of five beautifully done volumes on the art of the Praying Mantis.
Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Ling Nam Hung Gar by Wing Lam   Teacher Kwong Wing Lam gives an overview of the Hung Family Fist along with history, legends, iron palm training, descriptions of the forms, medicine and ...
The Spirit of the Five Animals   A nicely done text with five form sections one for each of the classic Shaolin five animals...
Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts-5000 Years by Professor Kang Ge Wu   The first major history in English of Kung Fu. Recommended!
Sword Polisher's Record by Adam Hsu (Hsu Chi) A series of essays on the practice and goals of Kung Fu. Not only are these brilliant but intelligently deal with everything a cut above the typical. Adult consideration of important topics.
Tai Chi Praying Mantis Beng Bu Fist   In English and Chinese. Note: There is no relation between TC Mantis and Tai Chi Chuan. Here T'ai Chi is used in its conceptual sense meaning "Yin and Yang".
Tai Chi Praying Mantis Killing Fan Play   This books is a small Chinese/English volume on a Tai Chi Mantis form involving, what else but ...
Tang Lang Mantis System by James I. Wong   A reprint of now-rare Koinonia books on the Mantis system...
Tiger in the Moonlight   A really well photographed book on the popular Fu Jow Tiger Claw system.
Tornado Broad Swords Form of Wah Lum Kung Fu with Chan Pui   This is a Double Saber set from the Wah Lum style.
Tsai Lee Fo (Choy Lay Fut) Ching Pao Ping Cheng Fist (Golden Leopard Level Boxing)   A middle Level set of that great Southern system Choy Lay Fut...
Tsai Lee Fo Pai Mo Fist   "The Blank Boxinig": A middle Level set of that great Southern system Choy Lay Fut...
Tsai Lee Fo (Choy Lay Fut) Waddy Play   A staff set from the great Southern system Choy Lay Fut...
A Tooth from the Tiger's Mouth   Tom Bisio, a Chinese medical practitioner, shows us many aspects of Chinese health practice particularly realted to "hit medicine" and diet ...
Ultimate Iron Palm with Wing Lam   Our new Iron Palm book is one of the best ever. Take a look.
Wah Lum First Fist Form by Chan Pui   The basic fist, easily learned, of this well known Kung Fu style that combines Praying Mantis and Tan Tui branches.
Way of Chi Kung, The by Ken Cohen  This is a classic in the field. Mr. Cohen's exhaustive book on Chi Kung methods, meanings and research. Simply a must!
Whirling Circles of Bagua Zhang  Frank Allen's book on Bagua is nicely done with much background material, some excellent biographies and an emphasis on Cheng style!
Wing Chun Bil Ji  A well designed little series of references in English and Chinese ...
Wing Chun Chum Kiu   A well designed little series of references in English and Chinese ...
Wing Chun Gung Fu Series Volumes #1 thru #4 with Randy Williams   Sifu Williams has been training for a number of years. In this series of beautifulyl printed oversized books he goes into a huge amount of detail on the system he loves, Wing Chun ....
Wing Chun Warrior   Ken Ing's new book centers around Duncan Leung, an indoor student of Yip Man. Essays, anecdotes and illustrations give the sense of the Wing Chun world form the inside.
Wing Chun Weapons   Jim Fung's book goes into details on the fundamental weapons of the system: Butterfly Knives and the 6 1/2 Pole.
Wushu Among Chinese Muslims   A little classic on the Cha (Zha) system of Kung Fu and its influence on the world of Chinese martial arts.
Wu Song Breaks Manacles   One of the most famous cuffed hand forms, based on a hero from the popular novel Water Margin.
Yan Qing Quan   A Joseph Crandall translation from the Chinese of a Lost Track book by Li Guo Zhi.
Yan Qing (Lost Track) #1   Volume one of this two-book series on the famous Lost Track style. This volume has three forms, history and a discussion of the style's characteristics. One of the forms is a partner set.
Yan Qing (Lost Track) #2  Volume one of this two-book series on the famous Lost Track style. This volume has three forms, history and a discussion of the style's characteristics. One of the forms is a partner set.    
Yan Qing Dao    This is a translation of a Praying Mantis Saber by the famous author Huang Han Xun.
ZEN and the Way of the Fist   Tak Wah Eng's book on the art of Shaolin and its meaning.
Zui Jiu Quan A Drunkard's Boxing    A drunken fist set fully illustrated.

 

 

 












 

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