Customer Reviews

Simply Wing Chun Kung Fu

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am deeply impressed by the format and content of this book. It manages to cover all the key aspects of Ving Tsun Kuen in great depth and detail without promoting one 'family' style or approach.
As a Dit Dar doctor (bone healer), I am also very impressed by the depth of knowledge and understanding shown by the author and by the articles he included by 3 of his students. It is rare to find a westerner who can appreciate and understand the complexity of Qi energy, let alone it's use within Gung Fu.

The publication of this book gives great reassurance that the teachings of Man Gung are at last being fully appreciated and passed on correctly abroad.
Rawcliffe Sifu is a credit to his teacher, himself and to his Wing Chun brothers. His obvious years of studies, research and dedication plus his openness and willingness to share his acquired knowledge, without the need for self promotion is indeed a rare commodity.
I am honoured to be able to review this book.

Cheung
Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong (SAR)

At last a book on Wing Chun rather than a book about the person behind the book. Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe has managed to do what so many others have failed to do, write a clear and concise book about the system of Wing Chun. So many other books seem to be promotional literature about the authors who happen to do Wing Chun. I found this book went in to great depth about the basics of the Wing Chun system and therefore will remain a great source of reference for students at all levels. It thankfully avoids the usual " this is how I do it" approach and refreshingly addresses the "this is what is behind whoever does it" approach.
Excellent, I shall be recommending this to all my students.

I have been studying Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) in Hong Kong for over 30 years and this is the first book in English that has managed to explain the essence of Ving Tsun. My Si-Fu, even my Si-Kung, Ip Man, would have been proud that Ving Tsun is being taught and explained so well around the world. This book embodies the teachings of my Si-Fu and his Ving Tsun To Dai (Kung Fu brothers), probably due to Rawcliffe Sifu's studies in Hong Kong and incompasses the simple complexity that is Ving Tsun Kuen. Understanding the structure to Ving Tsun is key to understanding how Ving Tsun works so effectively and efficiently and a book like this was long over due. Including the Ving Tsun Kuen Kuit elevates the book even further by embracing the philosophy of all that is Ving Tsun.
Leo T K Wong. Hong Kong 2003.

This book is excellent and well worth reading. It is full of meaningfull diagrams and illustrations rather than the ususal self promoting photos of similar books. The diagrams set out in detail the clinical muscular and skeletal positions and structures of each technique. The text explains why and how each technique and structure works, the skeletal alignment and muscular structure required and a simple check list to ensure the positions can be checked correctly. In short this book delves in great detail into how and why Wing Chun works on an anatomical basis.
Fantastic!

Superb book! Unlike the majority of Wing Chun books which focus on specific techniques, lineage, and "trapping tricks" or "secrets" this book concisely and in my opinion accurately cuts to the heart of Wing Chun-- what makes it alive, devastating and flexible as a martial art. Rawcliffe writes clearly and eloquently, not trying to build himself up or impress. 5 stars for the information, plus another 1 star for the brevity, and yet another 1 star for the enjoyable style in which it's written. Not often you find a well deserving 7 star book!

Sifu Rawcliffe's book is an excellent study guide and reference for students of Wing Chun who are learning the wooden dummy form. The instructions and photos are very clear and Sifu Rawcliffe provides examples of self defense applications of all the techniques in the form. My only complaint is sometimes the photos for the movement being discussed are not on the same page as the text and I found myself constantly flipping back and forth between the page I was reading and the page with the appropriate photo. Otherwise, it is one of the best of the many books I have read on Wing Chun and I highly recommend it.

Shaun Sifu educates in a way that will most likely complement that which your own Sifu/Sigung teaches you when you are learning the Wooden Dummy form. This book is a must for the Wing Chun student's library.

With over 40 years experience as student and teacher, I have not seen a better presentation of technique and philosophy. I am not a Wing Chun practitioner but Mr. Rawcliffe's diagrams and explanations have given me an excellent insight to this style.

You will NOT learn Wing Chun from this book; you need a teacher for that. But if you are a Wing Chun student, I cannot think of a better reference volume to supplement your training. Other martial arts stylists can also gain valuable insights into there own brand of self-defense by a good reading of this book. Highly recommended and Mr. Rawcliffe is to be commended for setting a high standard for martial arts books.

I like most things about this book; the physics and physiological part connected to Wing Chun and the use of the wooden dummy, the construction guide, the pictures and the describing text, the parallel applied use (with a human opponent) descriptions of all techniques. It is definitely good enough for you to learn using the wooden dummy from scratch, or to improve your present skills if already accustomed to it.
There are two things though I would like to see improved in this book:
1. The same standardized order of the pictures. In the formal wooden dummy sequences the order is of one kind, and in the applied sequences it's often another kind. This is unnecessarily confusing (even if the odd order is noted), although a minor problem after a couple of hours reading.
2. There should be pictures from above the dummy, so that certain details would be revealed that are impossible to note with help of the one angle used. This is especially important for beginners who might not be aware of certain grips, forearm turns, hand positioning and other details that are hidden by body parts of either the instructor or the dummy. In such cases supplement pictures would clarify things.

Still, even considering these two issues, this book is a really good help in learning how to use the wooden dummy in your training to improve your Wing Chun skills.