Customer Reviews

Kung Fu and Tai Chi: Chinese Karate and Classical Exercises

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

 

 

Hello. I am not a practicing martial artist in the sense that I attend professional classes. I grew up with Bruce Tegner books, practiced with them and then joined a professional Tae Kwon Do school because his books kindled an appreciation for the martial arts in me. I found Tegner's books complimented the real life classes in many ways. Even after I stopped taking classes years ago I fondly remembered his books. In my middle age years I found this gem on Kung Fu and Tai Chi. It is like having a teacher guiding me along the way while I learn and practice. I enjoy the movements and forms very much. Tegner is very clear and understandable. You can practice a martial art for many reasons and not have to also believe in one particular school's philosophy or religious background (and many such books assume you will accept their philosophy to practice their martial art). Tegner is very clear on safety and what martial arts can and cannot do regarding health and self defense. I recommend this book for anyone would like to gradually learn something about some of the moves and techniques of Kung Fu (and Tai Chi)as a form of personal exercise. That is Tegner's stated aim and this book performs this well. If a person expects to become another Jet Li or Bruce Lee from this book they will be disappointed but if they are looking for a fun and clear introduction to this martial art form then it really is worth the asking price. After all these years I still find books by Bruce Tegner to be well thought out and devoid of religious/philosophy hype that surrounds so many martial arts books. Kung Fu and Tai Chi is highly recommended because it lets the reader make up their own mind given Tegner's adequate information.

Originally published in 1968 this little gem of a book has stood the test of time. Teaches kung fu and tai chi in a clear concise manner without all the hype. Great basics and lots of cool forms. After all these years this book is still my favorite. Don't miss this one!

I have been involved in mostly Japanese martial arts; however, I have also studied Tai Chi long enough to receive an instructor rank from my teacher. Though Bruce Tegner has been criticized by many traditional martial artists; nevertheless, he should be given credit for introducing the public to a non-mystical approach to the martial arts. This book provides a fair introduction to one system of Kung Fu as well as a standard Tai Chi form. No, this is not a great book to learn Kung Fu or Tai Chi, but it could serve as a supplement text in combination with training under a Kung Fu or Tai Chi master. One of the things I like about this and other Tegner books is the way he approaches the topic. He criticizes the mystical approach for a more rational and scientific explanation. This is especially true in the Chinese formal martial arts. When I was studying Tai Chi, I had heard many silly unscientific stories about so called martial art masters who could knock you down without touching you. In conclusion, this is a fair book that is entertaining and informative.

Rating: 3 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: The Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System).

This has to be one of the worst books on Chinese kung-fu I have ever seen. I do not own a copy of it; I read about half of it in the book store, and that was enough to convince me that Mr. Tegner does not know a whole lot about Chinese kung-fu. *Note: This is not to say that Mr. Tegner knowledgable about fighting or other styles of martial arts, just that his kung-fu knowledge is very limited. The statement that tipped me off the most was the commentary on the taichi ("yin-yang"), something to the effect that the influence of the symbol's philosophy is negligable at best in the practice of Chinese martial arts. Horse manure. The Taoist concepts of yin and yang are obviously prevalent in all aspects of all existing styles of classical Chinese kung-fu. From health to breathing to combat theory to body positioning, the presence of the Tao is obvious to any who care to look closely. The concept of balancing oneself out, whether through physical means or attack/defense philosophy, is carefully woven into surviving true Chinese systems. The Chinese "katas" that were shown were quite laughable. The kung-fu form seemed to be a bad parody of stylized jeet kune do mixed with boxing and a poor imitation of the Sil Lum Tao form of Wing Chun. The "modern interpretation" of Tai Chi violated so many positioning principles, one has to wonder where or with whom the choreographer studied Tai Chi, if they studied it at all. Both seemed to be poor improvisations based on some movements briefly seen from quite a long distance away. This is a terrible book on the subject of Chinese kung-fu. Anyone interested in learning classical Chinese kung-fu should look up Bucksom Kong, Yang Jwing-Ming, and Bok Nam Park (a classical Pa Kua Chang master) and seek out any English translations of Chinese kung-fu books. Granted, they won't all be gems, but they're almost all guaranteed to be better than this piece of rubbish.

This Bruce Tegner book is outdated. The section on Kung Fu is actually some style of Japanese or Okinawan Karate. And the information in the Tai Chi section is incorrect and out-dated. [Today the medical community regularly praises the numerous health benefits of practicing Tai Chi.] If you are looking for a good introductory book on Tai Chi? Get yourself a copy of "The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice" by Wong Kiew Kit or "The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation" by Jou, Tsung Hwa.