The Dim-Mak Encyclopedia: The Main Meridians, Vol. 1 [Hardcover]

Erle Montaigue (Author), Wally Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Combining Master Erle Montaigue’s expertise with that of one of Australia’s foremost acupuncturists, this remarkable work addresses the healing and martial sides of dim-mak under one cover for the first time ever. Every point on each of the 12 main energy meridians is examined in depth.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Erle Montaigue was the first Westerner to be granted the degree of “Master” in taijiquan and dim-mak. In 1995 Erle was invited to study with Liang Shih-kan, the leader and “keeper” of the now almost extinct forerunner to taijiquan, the Wutan Shan System of Boxing, thus becoming the only Westerner and one of a handful of people to be taught the nine qi-disruptive methods. He serves as head of the World Taiji Boxing Association (WTBA), which has schools in more than 30 countries. He is highly regarded internationally as one of the leading instructors of the internal martial arts, including taijiquan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873649230
• ISBN-13: 978-0873649230
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,186,258 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Necessary Book of DIM MAK, November 19, 2000

By 

M. A. Ramos (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dim-Mak Encyclopedia: The Main Meridians, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

This is one of the two DIM MAK books required. (See my other reviews). If you're looking for a book with a detailed history and detailed information about dim-mak, this isn't your book. However,if you're looking for a book with some history and information, as well as an to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as learning about the various points and what happens when you hit them in the right manner, this book is for you. As it says, this covers the main 12 meridians, with volume 2 covering the remaining material.

It is fascinating how the points can be used for both damaging and healing purposes, all of which is covered (yes, even death points). This is a dangerous art which is not to be used lightly. Highly recommended reading if you're interested even the slightest in martial arts or TCM. This book is extremely useful. The details about the meridians are fantastic. There are a lots of photographs in vivid detail. each and every meridian is explained with set-up and antidote points. Healing details is what makes this book stand out. The location of points is described with a lot of medical terminology that a non-medical reader will struggle to actually locate the point. But the pictures are helpful.

43 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This is a total scam, December 11, 2006

By 

Ronin - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dim-Mak Encyclopedia: The Main Meridians, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

As a trained acupuncturist who has practiced martial arts since 1982 it is my humble opinion that this is a fraudulent book, as is the other vol. It will be obvious to any acupuncturist that Mr. Montaigue, with the aid of a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner (Simpson), simply made use of TCM texts and reversed the application of energetically active points to suit "his" Dim Mak model. Anyone who has been in a real fight will not harbor an illusion that they can make use of minute accupoints to defeat an opponent. This is pure fiction and displays a total lack of understanding of Qi energetics. I don't dispute that Dim Mak once existed, but those capable of using it are people who were raised in temples where life revolved around simultaneous medical & martial training for many years; an existence most westerners cannot really understand. So Earl who bounced around from place to place and one thing to another does not even remotely fit this model. In his bio, he dedicates 1-single line mentioning his "main internal martial arts master", and makes no mention of being granted a rank of sifu or receiving a place in the lineage from this "master". So what great knowledge was really passed to him?

Ask yourself logically: How does Earl know the effects of striking all 360 + accupoints? Has he hit that many people and studied the effects? Did one of those old Chinese teachers he brags about give him such complete details? Or is it that he is just giving you the TCM obvious, like ST9? It does not take rocket science to know that striking a point where the vagus nerve & carotid artery are close will produce a negative effect. In fact, every true martial art is aware of such targets.

While Dim Mak makes perfect sense to me in theory, I am under no illusion that it is something I will ever perform in my lifetime. I have studied with, met, and observed many Chinese "masters", and I have yet to encounter a single one who has such command of their Qi. Unless you have lived like a monk uninterrupted for some 20-years under expert guidance, it is simply not realistic in this age.

The application of real Dim Mak is beyond any of us today. It is the equivalent of performing acupuncture treatments without using needles, but under combat stress. If you believe Earl is some high Qi master, then this book may be for you.

More likely, your martial path will be significantly enhanced by studying the legitimate positive effects of these points through a TCM text book. After learning to heal yourself you can consider healing others. Earl's "Dim Mak" would have you take that in reverse. Focusing your Qi to harm others, or even just entertaining the thought is a dangerous act that has no place in daily training and should only be reserved for life-threatening situations.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very in-depth look at pressure points, July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dim-Mak Encyclopedia: The Main Meridians, Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

This book is a well presented and comprehensive discussion on acupressure points. The chapters cover both the exact point of strike and relevant remedial action needed to recover a victim from this strike. This book is not however, for the faint hearted. It uses detailed anatomical terminology, and you sometimes feel that you need to be a doctor to fully understand what is being said. If your anatomy is not too good, you may find this heavy going. By the time you've read the book your anatomy knowledge certainly will be improved! The author does provide a glossary of medical terminology which proves very useful. If you can understand this book from cover to cover you will start to be an expert in the use of pressure points.