Muay Thai: A Living Legacy [Paperback]

Junlakan Lesley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 5, 2001

Meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated, Muay Thai: A Living Legacy include sections on Muay Thai'ss rich ceremonial and cultural rituals; rare archive photographs; new step-by-step pictures illustrating the basic techniques, employing all the weapons in the Muay Thai arsenal; a Thai-English glossary; and a pull-out Wai Khru Ram Muay poster. It is the most comprehensive, user-friendly book on the subject of Muay Thai ever written.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A class "A" book on basic Muay Thai! It is very well organized and beautifully designed and illustrated. -- Dan Inosanto, School Owner/Head Instructor, Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts, Jan 1, 2002

Excellent presentation of old Muay Thai and the modern Ring Sport today. A "Must Read" for the Muay Thai enthusiast -- Duke Roufus, Professional Fighter: K-1/Muay Thai School: Duke Roufus Muay Thai Camp, Feb 16, 2002

Honestly, I loved this book. For someone who is without a "full-time" instructor, this book is a must! -- Mike Mattox, School Owner / Head Instructor Championship Karate & Kickboxing, Feb 24, 2002

Rating: 5 out of 5 ..."the quality of the publication is sure to impress." This is the bible for Thai-boxing. -- Ultimate Athlete Magazine: April 1, 2002

What magnificant photography! Fascinating and informative text. I hope you publish more such books. --John Pilcher, international accounts manager, C&T Publishing, March 15, 2002

From the Publisher

Spry Books has recently published "Muay Thai: A Living Legacy", a definitive introduction to one of the world's great martial arts.

Although Muay Thai is widely recognized as an excellent form of physical training and a method of self-defense, as well as being an exciting spectator-sport, the emphasis tends to be on its violent aspects, while the traditional and cultural values on which it is based are almost completely ignored. With the aim of presenting a more rounded evaluation of Muay Thai, paying attention to its history and rituals as well as the fighting techniques, the girl-power team of Kat Prayukvong (researcher and coordinator) and Lesley D. Junlakan (writer and editor) spent over a year working on the book, having to struggle with inconsistencies and a virtual lack of written records, the Muay Thai legacy being largely an oral tradition passed down from teacher to student. The result is a stunning book, not only in terms of its content, but also to look at: rare archive pictures and superb full-color photographs lavishly illustrate the text.

"Muay Thai: A Living Legacy" is the first in a projected series of three books: the second and third volumes will focus on, among other things, more advanced techniques.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Spry Publishing (September 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9748855376
• ISBN-13: 978-9748855370
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,582,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars nice pictures, good history, techniuqe so basic it amazes!, March 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Paperback)

After much hype I bought this book, it is NOT a bad book, it has beautiful pictures, lots of historical info and top guys doing the demonstrations

But the technique is so basic it is painful to have to look out, I paid $40 for "the most low level idiot's guide to punches and kicks"??

For an art whose #1 strength is the clinch, there is NO clinch work in this book....

It is just "punch with left, punch with fight, hook with left, hook with right"

TURN PAGE

knee with right, knee with left
front kick with left, front kick with right

There is also barely ANY defense taught!!!

If you love Muay Thai you will want this book, if you want good technical instruction, you are wasting your time

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent quality with great information., September 14, 2004

By 

Nick Adams (san francisco, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Paperback)

This book is beautiful, the quality is superb, all of the

pages are 'color-glossy.' It reminds me of a coffee table

book.

Where this book is most valuable is in giving a good overview

of Muay Thai. For example some reviewers wrote that this book

provides NO reference to defense. I will agree that it is

indeed a shortcoming. However, there are plenty of good

things to say.

'Living Legacy' provides a brief history of "Muay," it also

provides information on the rites and rituals involved in Muay

Thai --which is great for the Western enthusiast.

A great example is that "wai" or the Thai bow is thoroughly

explained: when to use it, to whom, etc. Things like the

ritual dance "Wai Khru" is also explained in detail, along

with instructions for performing the 'dance.'

As far as the criticism mentioned above, I think it is

important to realize that this books covers in great detail

the "basics." For example it describes exactly how high to

hold your hands in the "fighting position." It does not

cover everything (like defense, and clench work). It is not

a "fight strategy" guide by any means.

What it DOES do is explain in great detail all of the

offenses (7-10 of each: punches, elbows, knees, kicks).

It gives great examples of the Thai language (including

glossary) and gives the Thai words/phrases for all moves.

This book is beautiful, with great pictures, and is an

excellent resource for anyone wanting to know more about Muay

Thai. For practictioners of Muay Thai, it does a great job

of explaining basic technique-- important because everything

is built from these.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best martial arts book ever!, December 29, 2002

By 

Noppon Chaijaroonrat (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Paperback)

I have been practicing muay-thai for 10 years. I never come close to a quality book like Muay Thai by Kat Prayukvong. I love how the author represents each move and technique, shot by shot. I was so amzed how much more stuff I have asorbed after reading through this book. I would recommended Muay Thai and Kickboxing fans to at least have this book....I love it!