Customer Reviews

Chen Style Taijiquan

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First this book is by Grandmasters Feng Zhiqiang and Chen Xiaowang. It is English language but printed in China. The five stars is for content and the fact that it is one of very few application books on the market making it practically peerless as these books go. It does have the black and white somewhat grainy photos and it can sometimes be difficult to see how one part of the application leads into the next part.

*As far as I know this book is not actually out of print try the publishers web site.

This is a step by step walk through the applications of the two main Chen routines as interpreted by Feng. It also contains a section on the 38 forms performed by Chen Xiaowang. With the exception of the 38 form (that they are trying to teach) I believe that it would be rather difficult to learn the main forms from this book. As far as learning how Tai Chi was used in actual combat there is nothing else in English that comes close (at least that is written by a reputable master). Due to the similarities between different forms of Tai Chi this book could still be quite useful for all Styles not just Chen practitioners. For general philosophy, practice suggestions, and general refinement of Tai Chi for all styles I suggest Guttmann's translation of Kuo Lien-Ying's, "The Tai Chi Boxing Chronicle", ISBN# 1556431775.

CONTENTS

The Origin, Evolution and Development of Shadow Boxing

Part 1: Illustrations of the Attack-Defense Art in Series I and II of Chen-Style Taijiquan

* The Names of the Forms in Series I of Chen-Style Taijiquan

* Diagrams of the Attack-Defense Art in Series I of the Chen- Style Taijiquan

* The Names of the Forms in series II of the Chen-Style Taijiquan

* Diagrams of the Attack-Defense Art in Series II of the Chen-Style Taijiquan

Part II: The Names of the Forms in the Chen-Style Taijiquan of the Thirty-Eight Forms

Profiles of Chen Fake, Feng Zhiqiang and Chen Xiaowing

This is an inspirational book for me, dusted off a few times a year, with lots of photos of martial applications of the Chen long form and cannon fist. Be advised though, this is not a "how to do taiji" book, apart from a rudimentary section on the 38 Step at the back of the book. The focus is primarily on fighting applications of the Chen style. If you already study Chen this is worth having. If not, look elsewhere.

You can buy this book at Shanghai Online Bookstore for less than $4.00 USD. It will not go out of print.

It's an OK book and it was written long times ago... People is buying this book recently thought this is a collectible as Fend and Chen "normally" wouldn't write book together anymore. Some people thought this book is out of print and might became a collectible... This book was reprinted in 1995 and 1999... ;-) I have a few of this book (printed in 1984) and thought they won't print it anymore too. Well, at least I only paid $5.00 USD when I bought mine then. You can buy a brand new one for $3.30 USD(yes, three dollars and thirty cents)from Amazon China.

Nice bood. It will help entice the forms with the applications. Clear and to the point.

Very good quality. Very good illustrations. Obviously it doesn't replace a master, but is is a good companion.

Pictures are a bit fuzzy and the paper isn't great but the information is good.