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Reviews of books on
Martial and Movement Arts

Reviews of books on tai chi chuan, chi kung, and other martial and movement arts. Note that many of the pages contain multiple reviews.

(Review Criteria)

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NOTABLE

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Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals

A Historical Survey

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by Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo

By Title: A—M

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Acupuncture Medicine: Its Historical and Clinical Background

Yoshiaki Omura, MD

Advanced Nunchaku

Fumio Demura and Dan Ivan

Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan—Vol. 1: Tai Chi Theory and Tai Chi Jing, and Vol. 2: Martial Applications

Yang Jwing-ming

The Art of Breathing: Thirty Simple Exercises for Improving Your Performance and Well-Being 

Nancy Zi

The Art of Moving Meditation: Tai Chi 

Khor Eng Chor

Authentic Explanations of Martial Arts Concepts

Sun Lutang

Avalanche Steps Boxing Set

Huang Hanxun

Baji Boxing

Miao Ganjie

The Big Book of Tai Chi: Build Health Fast in Slow Motion

Bruce Frantzis

The Body Electric: Electromagnetism and the Foundation of Life 

Robert O. Becker, M.D., and Gary Selden

Bo: Karate Weapon of Self-defense

Fumio Demura

The Book of Internal Exercises

Stephen T. Chang, with Richard C. Miller

The Book of Ki: Co-ordinating Mind and Body in Daily Life

Koichi Tohei

Cheng Tzu's Thirteen Treatises on T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Cheng Man-ch'ing (Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo & Martin Inn, trans.)

Chen Taijiquan: The Inner Circle of Secrecy

Michael A. DeMarco

Chi Kung: Health and the Martial Arts

Yang Jwing-Ming

Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods

Robert W. Smith

Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey

Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo

Chinese Wand Exercises

Bruce L. Johnson

The Chinese Way to a Long and Healthy Life: Diet, Exercise, Massage

The People's Medical Publishing House

The Chinese Way to Family Health and Fitness:Wushu!

The People's Sports Publishing House

The Chi Revolution: Harness the Power of Your Life Force 

Bruce Frantzis

Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu: Chinese Art of Self-defense

Leo T. Fong

Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan: The Fighting Art of the Manchurian Palace Guard

Tina Chunna Zhang & Frank Allen

Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts

Lu Shengli

The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice

Wong Kiew Kit

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts

Don E. Draeger and Robert W. Smith

The Correct Path of Yiquan

Wang Xiangzhai

Cultivating the Ch'i

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Dragonbolt: A Bora-Yong Self-defense Course

D. H. Elder

Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain: The Essence of T'ai Chi

Al Chung-liang Huang

Essays by Sun Lutang

Sun Lutang

The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition 

Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo, Martin Inn, Robert Amacker, and Susan Foe

Essential Concepts of Tai Chi: It is-It is Not-IT IS

William Ting

The Fundamentals of Goju-ryu Karate

Gosei Yamaguchi

Fundamentals of Tai Chi Ch'uan

Wen-Shan Huang

Genuine Explanations for Authentic Tai Chi

Wu Zhiqing

Goju-ryu Karate II

Gosei Yamaguchi

Hapkido: Korean Art of Self-Defense

Bong Soo Han

Heal Yourself and the World With Tai-chi

Bob Klein

Hsing-I: Chinese Mind-Body Boxing

Robert W. Smith

Hung Gar Kung-Fu

Bucksam Kong and Eugene H. Ho

Illustrations of Thirteen Tai-Chi Sword

Li Zhen

The Internal Structure of Cloud Hands: A Gateway to Advanced T'ai Chi Practice

Robert Tangora

An Introduction to Tai Chi and Taoist Energy Meditation 

Gary Khor

Javanese Silat: The Fighting Art of Perisai Diri

Quintin Chambers and Donn F. Draeger

Karate: The Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting

Hidetaka Nishiyama & Richard C. Brown

Karate: The Open Hand and Foot Fighting

Bruce Tegner

The Kung Fu Book of Caine: The Complete Guide to TVs First Eastern Western

Herbil J. Pilato

Kung Fu: History, Philosophy, and Technique

David Chow & Richard Spangler

The Kung Fu Exercise Book

Michael Minick

Laoshi's Legacy: Emergence from Shadow

Jan Kauskas

Laoshi: Tai Chi, Teachers, and Pursuit of Principle

Jan Kauskas

Lethal Unarmed Combat: Secrets of Self-Defense

Malcolm Harris

Li Li Ta Scrapbook

Li Li Ta

Lost T'ai-chi Classics from the Late Ch'ing Dynasty 

Douglas Wile

Manual of Judo

E. J. Harrison

Martial Arts: The Spiritual Dimension

Peter Payne

Martial Musings: A Portrayal of Martial Arts in the 20th Century

Robert W. Smith

Master Cheng's Thirteen Chapters on T'ai-Chi Ch'uan

Cheng Man-Ch'ing (Douglas Wile, trans.)

Movements of Magic: The Spirit of T'ai-Chi-Ch'uan

Bob Klein

My Experience of Practicing Taiji Boxing

Xiang Kairran

Nunchaku: Karate Weapon of Self-defense

Fumio Demura

Okinawan Gojo-Ryu

Toguchi, Seikichi

Pa-kua: Chinese Boxing for Fitness and Self-Defense

Robert W. Smith

Pa-Kua: The Gentle Art of Health

John Painter

Palgue 1•2•3 of Tae Kwon Do

Kim Pyung Soo

The Power of the Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-I

Bruce Frantzis

Practical Chin Na: A Detailed Analysis of the Art of Seizing and Locking

Zhao Da Yuan, translated by Tim Cartmell

Practical Use of Tai Chi Chuan: Its Applications and Variations 

Yeung (Yang) Sau Chung

Practice Methods for Cleaving Saber Techniques

Yin Yuzhang

Primordial Pugilism (Tai Chi Chuan)

Tseng Ju-Pai

Prolonging Life: Ridding Illness without Medicine

Yin Qianhe

The Research into Techniques and Reasoning of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Yiu Kwong

Saber Manual

Jin Enzhong

Sai: Karate Weapon of Self-defense

Fumio Demura

Savate: French Foot Fighting

Bruce Tegner

The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestines

Michael D. Gershon, M.D.

The Secret Arts of Chinese Leg Manoeuvres

Lee Ying-arng

Secret Fighting Arts of the World

John F. Gilbey

Secrets of Chinese Karate

Ed Parker

Secrets of the Tai Chi Circle: Journey to Enlightenment

Luke Chan

Self Healing: Chinese Exercises for Health and Longevity

Erle Montage

Shito-ryu Karate

Fumio Demura

Shorinji Kempo: Philosophy and Techniques

Doshin So

Sil Lum Kung-Fu: The Chinese Art of Self-defense

Leo T. Fong

Single Defense Saber

Jin Yiming

Stick Fighting for Self-defense: Yawara, Aikido, Cane, Police Club, Quarter-staff

Bruce Tegner

A Study of Bagua Boxing

Sun Lutang

A Study of Bagua Sword

Sun Lutang

A Study of Taiji Boxing

Sun Lutang

A Study of Xingyi Boxing

Sun Lutang

Tai Chi Bang: Eight-Immortal Flute

Jesse Tsao, with Bill Coffey

The Tai Chi Book: Refining and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice

Robert Chuckrow

Tai Chi Chuan

William C. C. Chen

Tai Chi Chuan: The Philosophy of Yin and Yang and Its Application 

Douglas Lee

Tai Chi Chuan

Her Yue Wong

Tai-Chi Chuan

Yang Ming-shih

T'ai Chi Ch'uan and I Ching: A Choreography of Body and Mind

Da Liu

T'ai Chi Ch'uan: A Simplified Method of Calisthenic for Health & Self Defense

Cheng Man-ch'ing

T'ai-Chi Ch'uan: Body and Mind in Harmony—The Integration of Meaning and Method

Sophia Delza

Tai Chi Chuan: Decoding the Classics for the Modern Martial Artist

Dan Docherty

Tai-Chi Chuan: Its Effects and Practical Applications 

Yearning K. Chen (Chen Kung)

Tai Chi Chuan's Internal Secrets 

Doc Fai Wong and Jane Hallander

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Ta Wen: Questions and Answers on T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Chen Wei-ming (translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo and Robert W. Smith

Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Technique of Power

Tem Horwitz and Susan Kimmelman (with H.H. Lui)

Tai Chi Classics 

Waysun Liao

Tai Chi Dynamics: Principles of Natural Movement, Health, and Self-Development

Robert Chuckrow

Tai Chi Eleven

Gene Po Wong

Tai Chi for Health

Edward Maisel

T'ai Chi for Two: The Practice of Push Hands

Paul Crompton

Tai Chi Handbook 

Herman Kauz

T'ai Chi Nude 

F. L. Yu (Robert Amacker)

Tai Chi Peng: Root Power Rising

Scott Meredith

Tai Chi Sabre for Self-Defense

Tom Marks

Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style

Yang Jwing-Ming

T'ai Chi Sword, Sabre & Staff

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Tai Chi Tao

Cai Long

Tai Chi: The Supreme Ultimate

Lawrence Galante

T'ai-Chi: The "Supreme Ultimate" Exercise for Health, Sport, and Self-Defense

Cheng Man-ch'ing

Tai Chi 37: Fist and Qi

Gene Po Wong

T'ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions 

Douglas Wile

Tai Ji Bing Shu: Discourses on the Taijiquan Weapon Arts of Sword, Saber, and Staff (Chen Kung Series, V. 6)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Taiji Boxing

Li Xianwu

Taiji Boxing

Yin Qianhe

Taiji Boxing Explained

Yao Fuchun and Jiang Rongqiao

Taiji Boxing Photographed

Chu Minyi

Tai Ji Jin: Discourses on Intrinsic Energies for Mastery of Self-Defense Skills (Chen Kung Series,

V. 2)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Tai Ji Qi: Fundamentals of Qigong, Meditation, and Internal Alchemy (Chen Kung Series, V. 1)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Tai Ji Quan: Practice and Applications of the 105-Posture Solo Form (Chen Kung Series, V. 3)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Taijiquan Theory of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming: The Root of Taijiquan

Yang, Jwing-Ming

Tai Ji San Shou & Da Lu: Mastering the Two-Person Application Skills (Chen Kung Series, V. 5)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Taiji Sword

Wu Tunan

Taiji Sword

Yin Qianhe

Tai Ji Tui Shou: Mastering the Eight Styles and Four Skills of Sensing Hands (Chen Kung Series,

V. 4)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Tai Ji Wen: The Principles and Theories for Mastering Taijiquan (Chen Kung Series, V. 7)

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung), compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson

Tamashiwara: The Art of Breaking Bricks and Boards with Your Hands and Feet

Renardo Barden

Tao and T'ai Chi Kung

Robert C. Sohn

The Tao of Health and Longevity

Da Liu

Tao of Jeet Kune Do

Bruce Lee

The Tao of Meditation: Way to Enlightenment

Jou Tsung-hwa

The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation

Jou, Tsung-hwa

Thirteen Chapters

Cheng Man-ching

This Is Karate

Masutatsu Oyama

Tui Shou & San Shou in T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Yiu Kwong

Wave Hands Like Clouds 

Li Po & Ananda

The Way of a Warrior

John F. Gilbey

Western Boxing and World Wrestling: Story and Practice

John F. Gilbey

What Is Karate?

Masutatsu Oyama

White Crane Gung-Fu: Chinese Art of Self-Defense

Michael P. Staples

The Wisdom of Kung Fu

Michael Minick

Wu Style Taichichuan: Forms, Concepts and Applications of the Original Style

Wu Ying-hua and Ma Yueh-liang

Wu Style Taichichuan Tuishou

Ma Yueh-liang & Zee Wen, MD

The Wu Style of Tai Chi Chuan 

Tinn Chan Lee

Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan

Wu Kung Cho

Wu Style Taijiquan

Wang Peisheng & Zeng Weiqi

Yoga Made Easy: A Personal Program that Will Transform Your Daily Life

Howard Kent

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By Author

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Allen, Frank

Amacker, Robert

Ananda 

Barden, Renardo

Becker, Robert O., M.D.

Brown, Richard C.

Cartmell, Tim

Chambers, Quintin

Chan, Luke

Chang, Stephen T.

Chen, Kung (Yearning K. Chen)

Chen, Wei-ming

Chen, William C. C.

Chen, Yearning K. (Chen Kung)

Cheng, Man-ch'ing

Chow, David

Chu Minyi

Chuckrow, Robert

Coffey, Bill

Crompton, Paul

Delza, Sophia

DeMarco, Michael A.

Demura, Fumio

Docherty, Dan

Draeger, Donn F.

Elder, D. H.

Foe, Susan

Fong, Leo T.

Frantzis, Bruce

Galante, Lawrence

Gershon, Michael D., M.D.

Gilbey, John F.

Guo, Elizabeth

Hallander, Jane

Han, Bong Soo

Harris, Malcolm

Harrison, E. J.

Ho, Eugene H.

Horwitz, Tem

Huang, Al Chung-liang

Huang Hanxun

Huang, Wen-Shan

Inn, Martin

Ivan, Dan

Jiang Rongqiao

Jin Enzhong

Jin Yiming

Johnson, Bruce L.

Jou, Tsung-hwa

Kauskas, Jan

Kauz, Herman

Kennedy, Brian

Kent, Howard

Khor, Eng Chor

Khor, Gary

Kim Pyung Soo

Kimmelman, Susan

Klein, Bob

Kong, Bucksam

Lee, Bruce

Lee, Douglas

Lee, Tinn Chan

Lee, Ying-arng

Li Li Ta

Li Xianwu

Li, Zhen

Liao, Waysun

Liu, Da

Lo, Benjamin Pang Jeng

Long, Cai

Lu Shengli

Lui, H. H.

Ma, Yueh-liang

Maisel, Edward

Marks, Tom

Meredith, Scott

Miao Ganjie

Miller, Richard C.

Minick, Michael

Montaigue, Erle

Nishiyama, Hidetaka

Karate: The Art of "Empty Hand" Fighting (& Richard C. Brown)

Olson, Stuart Alve

Omura, Yoshiaki, MD

Oyama, Masutatsu

What Is Karate?

This Is Karate

Painter, John

Parker, Ed

Payne, Peter

The People's Medical Publishing House

The People's Sports Publishing House

Pilato, Herbie J.

Po, Li

Selden, Gary

Smith, Robert W.

So, Doshin

Sohn, Robert C.

Spangler, Richard

Staples, Michael P.

Sun Lutang

Tangora, Robert

Tegner, Bruce

Ting, William

Toguchi, Seikichi

Tohei, Koichi

Tsao, Jesse

Tseng, Beauson

Tseng, Ju-pai

Wang, Peisheng

Wang, Xiangzhai

Wile, Douglas

Wong, Doc Fai,

Wong, Gene Po

Wong, Her Yue

Wong, Kiew Kit

Wu Kung Cho

Wu Tunan

Wu, Ying-hua

Wu, Zhiqing

Xiang Kairan

Yamaguchi, Gosei

Yang, Jwing-Ming

Yang Ming-Shih

Yao Fuchun

Yeung (Yang), Sau Chung

Yin Qianhe

Yin Yuzhang

Yiu, Kwong

Yu, F.L. (Robert Amacker)

Zee Wen

Zeng Weiqi

Zhang, Tina Chunna

Zhao, Da Yuan

Zi, Nancy

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