Customer Reviews

Monkey Kung-Fu

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The book by Paulie Zink is without question the finest book (mostly because it's one of only three, at least that I know of in the English language) that discusses in any great detail the history as well as characteristic techniques of the Tai Sheng Pek War style. Each of the 5 character trait monkeys are demonstrated, as are fundamental weapons and self-defense techniques. To truly apply the knowledge within the text, the first 3 videos in Master Zink's Panther Productions series are almost crucial. These videos cover Fundamentals, Classical Forms, and Weapons of the unorthodox but effective monkey style. The first video alone is worth whatever the asking price is, as it contains possibly the best and most comprehensive stretching routine ever captured on video - nearly an hour long! The second video actually demonstrates full forms and their combat applications, not just pieces as does the book. The third video shows in greater detail than the book the many weapons of the monkey system, the most interesting of which I find to be the monkey iron ring. Do yourself a favor - if you're serious about learning about this art - buy the book' if you want to PRACTICE this art - find and buy the videos - they're well worth it!

I was very impressed with Paulie Zink's book on Monkey kung fu. I was interested in many of the movements and this book demonstrated a ton of them. I think Zink's latest book, the "history of monkey kung fu" has more detail on the history of the art, but this book was very informative pictorially.

Monkey Kung Fu, or Monkey Fist (''), is a Chinese martial art which utilizes ape or monkey-like movements as part of its technique. It was perfected by Glorious Grand Master Peter Sellers.

There are a number of independently developed systems of monkey kung fu. Examples includes Xingzhemen (''') named after the protagonist Sun Wukong of the popular Ming dynasty novel Journey to the West, Nanhouquan (''') or Southern Monkey Fist originating from the Southern Shaolin Temple as well as the more well known Da Sheng Pi Gua Men ''''' style of Hong Kong. Drunken Monkey uses a lot of throat, eye and groin strikes as well as tumbling and falling techniques. It incorporates a lot of false steps to give the appearance it is defenseless and uses a lot of off balance movements.

But if your opponent gets you on the ground, you will wish you had studied wrestling instead of this book.

This most formidable style does not have many written sources, particularly in English. Here the most famous and learned American Grandmaster of this style lays out basic techniques. As such it is a very valuable source to find in print.