Customer Reviews

Kung Fu San Soo's Basic 45 Lessons

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo (Lo Sifu Chin Siu Dek) was teaching in Southern California a variety of students recorded the lessons. Since Grandmaster Woo was the first to teach this martial art to anyone who wasn't Chinese, no one was sure about what was the best way to write out the techniques in English. So, those records vary greatly in the quality and clarity of what was written. Master Gatewood kept meticulous records, including many 8mm films and later video tapes. I have a number of copies of these lessons from varying sources and feel that Master Gatewood's book explains the lessons with particular clarity and stresses the priceless principals involved with each technique.

Some reviewers have complained about the book lacking enough photographs. That would be true if one were trying to learn Kung Fu San Soo from a book alone. You can't, there's too much to it. If you are an experienced martial artist, looking to gain a familiarity with Kung Fu San Soo, this book will be very informative about our basic techniques. (There are hundreds of Kung Fu San Soo techniques-- the Basic 45 are the foundation for the rest.) So, if you want to learn Kung Fu San Soo, you must learn it from a knowledgeable instructor. For anyone who is, this book is very well written and invaluable.

i was a student of grand master woo from 1964 to 1966. this book is the best i have read on the basic 45. grand master woo gave us the first 22 lesson's already printed but no pictures and descriptions, the rest of the lesson's we wrote down as we went. this book is an accurate depiction of what grand master woo taught me.

I have been out of the art for over 13 years for a variety of reasons and was lucky to find this book. Starting with lesson one, it all began to come back. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the art of Kung Fu San Soo.

The care taken to convey the material as accurately as possible is evident. However, without step by step pictures it is still hard to follow. I was a little disappointed.

This should be remedied in future editions as it would add immensely to the value of the book. In its present form, this book is not worth the purchase price.

This book is a must read!! Whether your looking for a combat art to study or have been a kung-fu san soo exponent, there is alot of information in this book. Master Gatewood does a great job in detailing the techniques themselves(includes pictures) and explaines even further the lesson(concept, principle) being taught. Although he doesn't mention this in his book, he has had to defend himself numerous times using San Soo while working as a Peace Officer. Master Gatewood also shows the postures used in San Soo and explains their use. It is definately a must read.
Sincerely,
John Wheeler

I agree without pictures it is very hard to visualize exactly how do to do the lessons that are presented. Someone should revise it an do it justice by adding pictures to it to make it more understandable.

If you are looking for a basic primer on San Soo, then you can find no better source. In my research I have found no more credible source of information as Master Woo had intended to pass down. The Author has done a good job in maintaining the integrity of the materail. With the exception of a singular issue which at best is subjective, I can find not fault, and would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning the basics of San Soo.

The Grandmaster, Jimmy H. Woo taught several different version of these famous and important lessons. In deference to the previous reviewer there are as many versions as their are students who took notes. Most of them noted them as very young students of the art. The core of the lessons is their heart and soul and Master Gatewood clearly lays out their intent and purpose. It is well illustrated. While some look for the perfect set of basics, most of us feel that they are just that, basic and are waiting for his next book. Honi soit que mal y pense...

Having been a student of Grand Master Jimmy Woo, from 1964 - 1970 I can honestly say without a doubt, that this book is as close to what Grand Master Woo taught as anything I've ever read. I have the original 45 lessons in my possesion, (the first 22 lessons were given to each student pre-printed) and the rest we wrote down after each lesson was taught to us. Master Ron Gatewood has captured the basic 45 lessons in all their entirety as they were originally taought by Grand Master Woo. - reviewed by Clyde in Pasadena

A comprehensive, well researched and documented study of the "original" base 45.