"HURT" Books

A booksellers term, "hurts" are books with minor defects. Sometimes they are not even "hurt" but were in a batch the bookseller didn't want to sort. Each hurt book might have—in addition to its minor imperfection—an unobtrusive felt mark on the bottom or top of its pages. This is an industry mark denoting "hurt".All pages are present and attached. Each of these books is complete and an excellent and inexpensive edition for those more interested in information than cosmetics. Most problems will be: slightly stained or blemished pages or cover; light creasing and a wrinkled page or two. Comments by customers on Hurt Books.

On the other hand not all these books are "hurts" some are simply discounted but they may still have a blemish or two. If condition is important on these discounted items e-mail ahead and we'll see what we can do.

KW008 The Whirling Circles of Ba Gua Zhang
by Frank Allen and Tina Chun Na Zhang
$21.95 Plum Discount 50% $10.95, 238 pages, oversized 7'" X 10", softbound,

Back Cover: "Illustrated with over 500 photographs, the training sections teach a complete warm up followed by a step-by-step program for learning the essentials of the practice such as the classical Cheng style Basic Eight Palm Changes and the Cheng Style Deer Horn Knife Set of Grandmaster Liu Jing Ru. These chapters also include combat strategies, theory of ba gua fighting techniques, and a complete account of the unique weapons of ba gua zhang.

Much more than just a technical manual, Whirling Circles shows how bagua zhang developed from Daoist ideology and tells of inspiring historical accounts and legends of the ba gua masters. The final section explains how to use mindfulness, breathing techniques and meditation to recognize and combine the essential eight trigrams of the Yi Jing, the Book of Changes. This book also includes a new, full translation of Dong Hai Chuan's Thirty-Six Poems and Forty-Eight Methods, with expert commentary on their meaning."

KS041H A Study of Taijiquan
by Lu Sun Lu Tang
translated by Tim Cartmell
Normally   $16.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only  $8.50 (save 50%) ,
softbound ,  photographs,

Originally published in 1919. This is Tim Carmell's translation, one of the first in English, of the famous book by Sun Lu Tang. Here is the first document of what would be known as Sun Tai Chi, taking it's place beside the other member of the "Five Big Family" style. Due to his writing ability and the early publication of books on subject which had not been covered in books, Sun won a place as a major writer as well as a major teacher and practitioner. His writing can be dense and overly philosophical at times but there is little doubt that this belongs in the library of any serious practioner of the art.

KW003 Walking the I Ching
The Linear Ba Gua of Gao Yi Sheng
by Allen Pittman
226 pages, oversized 7'" X 9+ ", softbound, Photos and illustrations, softbound
$17.95   PLUM Price , $8.95

From the back cover:
"After an overview of Ba Gua's history and philosophy, author Allen Pittman presents eight chapters corresponding to the eight 'houses' of B Gua theory—elemental groupings that match the eight foundational trigrams of the I Ching. Each of these houses manifests a distinct underlying dynamic and martial arts principle, and each chapter begins with an introductory survey of the symbolism and cultural, anatomical, tactical, and spiritual ramifications of the house. Detailed and extensively illustrated directions for performing the eight linear sequence forms of each house follow.

This combination of practical instruction and philosophical insight make Walking the I Ching not only an authoritative guide to hands-on practice, but also a pathway to a deeper understanding of Ba Gua Zhang and its traditional roots. "

#KF010H Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan
by Fu Zhong Wen
Translated by Louis Swaim
Normally   $16.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only $8.50 (save 50%) , softbound

To our mind, Fu Zhong Wen is the man who most resembled Yang Chen Fu in temperament and style. Fu's movements were exceptionally full and profound. He has been praised for his accuracy and sticking to what Yang Chen Fu taught him during a study of over twenty-five years. The cover of the book shows a young Fu standing behind the seated Yang Chen Fu. In those days it was not just a “photo-op” where anyone standing around could sidle up to the platform. This book is full of Fu's own injunctions about the practice. His descriptive sections may differ a bit from your version but the advantage is in the clarity of his presentation: this is the way Yang Chen Fu taught him. He also describes jindian, energy points, within the context of Qi movement. Jindian might appropriately conform to the martial idea of a “leading edge” rather than an acupuncture point. Swaim's translation is clear and faithful. What more could be asked?

	OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

#KE006H Empty Force:
The Power of Chi for Self-Defense and Energy Healing
Paul Dong and Thomas Raffill
Normally $16.95 PLUM price $8.50,  179 pages illustrated

"Empty Force, or Ling Kong Jing, is an extraordinary technique that harnesses the power of chi (the body's vital energy), enabling masters of the art to defend themselves against opponents and heal themselves and others without physical contact. Through the practice of this method, one gains mastery of the mind and spirit and gives rise to a physical force that can affect others—a powerful maifestation of the achievement of harmony wth nature."

• The Mystery of ChiThe Empty ForceThe Empty Force MastersThe Great DebateMartial Arts, Tai Chi and Chi KungThe Healing PowerA "How-To" Guide to the Empty Force
• The Students Speak

KC009H Chin Na Fa
Liu Jin sheng & Zhao Zhang - trans. Tim Cartmell
Normally $16.95, Plum Discount 50% $8.50;   111 pages, softbound, photos and drawings.

KN004H Nei Jia Quan
Internal Martial Arts Teachers of Tai Ji Quan, Xing Yi Quan and Ba Gua Zhang
Compiled by Jess O'Brian (Note: Second Edition Cover is the same but black)
Normally   $19.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only $10.95, 325 pages, Softbound,

This is a book of interviews. For long time practitioners that will be of sufficient interest in itself. Many of these are well known teachers, particularly in the Western world. The list includes B. K Frantzis, Tim Cartmell, Tony Yang and the ever interesting Allen Pittman. Opinions vary much on certain topics. Cartmell's section is particularly interesting as we witness his struggle with the concept of Chi. On the other hand, much of the information is similar; echoing well established truths: basics are important, Kung Fu is more than it seems, skill lies in little things, etc. Documents like this, where knowledgeable instructors give directly of their experiences are - we feel - vital to Wu Shu research. However, our feeling is that the editor/compiler, Jess O'Brien, did not dig enough to really reveal much. It was more like he snapped on the tape recorder and just let it run. A good example is the title of the book itself. More than one instructor pointed out that there is no such thing as the "Internal Arts" but of course that's is nonetheless the book's title. We know this is a popular name for these practices and recognized by many, but it shows the ambivalence of a book for people who know enough about the arts to know the "labels" but not enough to know what they are and aren't. Like Tai Chi Magazine, the range of information is often confusingly non-specific and unfiltered.

Some nice moments:
James Wing Woo: "Then he (Bruce Lee) said that he was going to show me Jeet Kune Do. I told him, "B.S. Do! You should stick to Wing Chun, you'd be a lot better off!"

Gabriel Chin: (Talking to Sun Chien Yuen about Cheng Man Ching) "She said, ' Cheng Man Ching? I never heard of such a person! Also Chen Da Gu (her relation with Chen Wei Ming made it possible for her to call him Elder Brother) was not in Chungking. He was in Shanghai at the time.' Then I realized that Cheng Man Ching was telling stories."

Other teachers represented are Fong Ha, William Lewis, Gail Derin-Kellog, Luo De Xiu, Zhao Da Yuan and Albert Liu with an interesting history on the development of Liu He Ba Fa.

KS006 Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung Fu
by Leung Shum, Master
216 pages, softbound
Normally   $19.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only  $7.95 (save 60%) , softbound

A reissue and expansion of the FIRST book on Eagle Claw Kung Fu in the English language. The tireless Leung Shum, who teaches in New York and introduced Eagle Claw into America in 1971, here shows the theory, applications and history of this elegant and beloved Kung Fu Fist.

This is the way a Kung Fu book should be. It gives a feeling for the complete system along with lists of forms, history, experiences, techniques and principles. Leung Shum has been a true leader trying to spread the art wherever he's taught. This is one of the classical systems with a long history, excellent Chin Nah and beautiful forms. The Eagle Claw concentrates on movements of that its famous namesake incorporating joint locking, throwing and seizing techniques of superior skill.

KH010H History, Philosophy, and Gung Fu of Shaolin Ch’an
The Shaolin Grandmaster's Test
by Order of Shaolin Ch'an
paper, 302 pages, oversized, photographs and illustrations
Normally   $29.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only  10.95 (save over 60%)

As we always say we really hate doing negative reviews. The arts are still too fragile to be overly negative about honest efforts but...
If this were a joke we’d be able to let it pass. We have here a murky, silly soup of simple facts, speculations, internet “facts”, just plain wrong headed writing and what is the lowest common denominator of the Shaolin story. Not everything is wrong. Most of the referenced information, though common, is relatively accurate. There are “mysterious” sections where the properly anonymous “Order of Shaolin Ch’an” passes on its unattributed rumors. There are sections on different styles where misinformation mixes freely with comic book versions of Kung Fu. Hear me, OSC there is no Wah Lum Temple, Monkey is not a subset of Tiger (and if you knew your astrology you’d know why), the Fu Jow Pai paragraph is without meaning, “Black Crane” and “White Tiger” are highly questionable in their relation to the Shaolin system. There’s more, much more. This is a combination of wiki-nonsense, some very common knowledge and—best of all— a sort of traveloge familiarity with the loosely reported facts. Yes, let's all stroll in the Shaolin garden before we have a bit of tea, coz. That sort of thing. Is this worth the price? Yes, now that we've dropped it so much and you get this kind of prose which, we admit, should have landed this book in our Fun Stuff section...

"... Few people already with the term "Shaolin" are unaware of the Order's intimate assocation with contemporary martial arts. Many schools of Asian martial arts claim some association with the famous temples and their arts."
Of course in this case the Order referred top couldn't be the Order of Shaolin Ch'an. We're more inclined to this of a take-out order...

One more, we can't resist... "Buddhism is notorious for its non-attachment." Well, Duh-Ohm.

KT048H T'ai Chi Classics
by Waysun Liao
paper, 210 pages, oversized, Photographs and illustrations
Normally   $14.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only  8.95 (save over 40%)

This book was originally published in 1977. We liked it then and we still like it. Sifu Liao was one of the first to detail some important conceptions such as Chi and Jing in English. He does this through charming line drawings, translations of three major Tai Chi Classics (Chang San Feng, Wong Chung Yu and Wu Yu Hsiang) and his own commentary. His approach uses basic physics and general principles of mechanics in a way that makes reasonable many sections of the Tai Chi Classics. A good text for anyone's Tai Chi library.

See other Tai Chi writings.

KC052H Chinese Internal Boxing
by Robert Smith and Allen Pittman
175 pages, softbound, photos and illustrations
Original Price $19.95 PLUM price 7.95 (save almost 60%)

A classic guide to two soft-style martial arts written by one of first and aided by the clear example of Allen Pitman's postures. We think this might be a "cut up" combining information from two other books on the same subject. It includes five elements, 12 animals and Wang Shu Jin's eight changes palms. Plus there is the background information and semi-gossipy approach that made Robert Smith one of the best read authors in the field. Somewhat sparse compared to the tomes published today but a good, solid introduction.

KC034H Classical T'ai Chi Sword
Petra & Toyo Kobayashi
174 pages, Softbound, photographs
$18.95 PLUM price 7.95 (save almost 60%)

One of Tuttle's better new books. For years Tuttle has a high reputation as one of the best Asian (and Vermont) special interest publishers. they also produced beautiful texts (try to get some of the old ones if you can). Now too many of their titles are small, cheap with inadequate photographs. But this book is an exception. Full page photos illustrate this version of the T'ai Chi Straight Sword. Topics covered include ... History of the Sword • History of T'ai Chi Sword • Taoist background • Posture and energy
The 13 basic techniques explained • Footwork • Partner work • The entire T'ai Chi sword set. An intelligently written and informative book. While not exhaustive it gives good information and some new insights. Solid introduction.

KC053H Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan
Wong Kiew Kit
317 pages, Softbound, photographs

Just a huge, enthusiastic compendium of Tai Chi information by one of the most outspoken of teachers. Wong Kiew Kit does not dance around things, when he likes something he makes it very evident. Also he generally dives deeper than many writers. This book, for instance, is blatantly martial-centric in its view of Tai Chi. TOC headings include: TC as a Martial Art; The Concept of Yin-Yang in TC; The Historical Development of the Different Styles; The Importance of Chi Kung in TC; Combat Sequences and Tactics; Enriching Life with TC; and much more. It's subtitle says, "A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice," and it comes pretty close...

KT048H T'ai Chi
Cheng Man Ching and Robert Smith
115 pages, Softbound, photographs
$19.95 PLUM price   7.95 (save almost 60%)

You can tell how early this book appeared just by the title. It's like having the phone number #16. Once, in the late sixties, I tried to learn Tai Chi from this book and I can't tell you how many other people have had a similar experience. This is the book that began the wave...with this premier text Cheng Man Ching and Robert Smith introduced Tai Chi to much of the Western world. Things have gotten a good deal more sophisticated since Cheng was presented as "the best in the world" but here is the beginning right along with the famous "reversed photographs" that so infuriated Cheng himself.

KA013H The Art of Bruce Lee the Tao of Gung Fu
by Bruce Lee edited by John Little
200 pages, softbound, photos and illustrations
Original Price $18.95 PLUM price 7.50 (save almost 60%)

There have been many (some will say too many) books on Bruce and his contribution to martial arts. This special edition, approved by Linda Lee, offers a book Bruce wrote during his time attending the University of Washington. This is the first time published and it has the simplicity and directness and, most importantly, the grappling and realizations, that would later become the basis of Lee's philosophy. It is filled with thoughts on Wu Wei, No Mindedness, notes on famous instructors, some unusual pictures. This will be an easy, relaxed read and Lee's thoughts have become so ingrained in our minds that you might forget that this is the original process from the innovator who did not necessarilty invent the viewpoint and the ides but definitely brought them to the consciousness of millions.

KF007H Five Ancestors Fist Kung FU
by Alex L. Co
152 pages, softbound, photographs and illustrations
Regularly 14.95 PLUM hurt books price 6.95 (over 50% discount)

See other books on Southern Style Kung Fu

KP021H The Pocket I Ching
by Richard Wilhelm, Cary F. Baynes with simplification by W. S. Broadman
paper, 130 pages, 1987, read our introductory article on this book
Normally 13.00 PLUM "hurt book" price only 5.95 (save over 50%)

This simplified pocket edition concentrates on the original core writing of this book, one of the oldest in history and the basis of Chinese culture. Though some may have a problem with the sometimes divination use of the book it can also be studied as a classic of wisdom pertaining to one of the greatest concerns of human life: change and its many faces.

KK007H Kung Fu Basics
by Paul Eng
paper, 190 pages, oversized, Photographs and illustrations
Normally 12.95 PLUM "hurt book" price only 7.95 (save over 45%)

This book actually lives up the its title. In this case basics means fundamentally understanding of what you martial goals and efforts should be. This is much more than a technical book of how to do a horse stance. Sifu Paul Eng of the Tai Mantis system is a lifetime practitioner of the art. The topics he handles are the ones that teachers wished their students understood: how to practice, how much time should you spend, what is the right relationship to the teacher, how do you know if a style is right for you, overcoming discouragement, etc. This is a fine introduction because it doesn’t try to sell, it attempts to illuminate.

KT012H  The Dao of Taijiquan
by Jou Tsung Hwa
233 pages, line drawings
Normally 19.95, PLUM "hurt book" price only 8.95 (save over 50%)

This is one of the first and most important books in English on the art of Tai Chi. Jou was a lifetime student and much appreciated for his efforts regarding the art. If you ever saw him move you saw a compendium of the styles he had studied and the knowledge he had gained over the years. This was a first in many ways, especially for English books. There is a discussion, one of the first, on Reeling Silk Energy. He also discusses, not entirely successfully but very importantly, Tai Chi's 8 energies. Jou also had some interesting theories on Tai Chi and extra-temporal physical perceptions. Jou was also a student of the I Ching. He has a section on this and also a section on experiences. A book chock full of information and ideas. Pretty much a must have for any complete Tai Chi library.