Author by: Matthew Polly Language: en Publisher by: Penguin Format Available: PDF, ePub, Mobi Total Read: 86 Total Download: 203 File Size: 49,7 Mb Description: Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American’s quest to become a kung fu master at China’s legendary Shaolin Temple. Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he’d seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms—some even practicing the “iron kung fu” discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible (even the crotch). As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the Temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.

Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man’s journey into the ancient art of kung fu—and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China. Author by: Matthew Polly Language: en Publisher by: Format Available: PDF, ePub, Mobi Total Read: 57 Total Download: 347 File Size: 43,9 Mb Description: Matthew Polly was your typical 98-pound weakling with sand kicked in his face - until he decided to learn to kick back. Dropping out of university, he travelled to China to study at the granddaddy of all Chinese martial arts monasteries: the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of both Zen Buddhism and kungfu.But, as Confucius might have said, path to becoming kung fu master very difficult. For one thing, no one knew where exactly the Shaolin Temple was. And asking for directions proved problematic - after three years spent learning Mandarin in college, Matthew couldn't understand a word outside the classroom. He finally found the Shaolin village hidden away between five mountain peaks. But the hard part was yet to come.

The Chinese term for tough training is chi ku (eating bitter) - and Matthew quickly leaned to appreciate the phrase. By the end of the second day of training his knees were in agony and he was walking like the dead - and that was just the induction.American Shaolin is the hilarious story of Matthew's remarkable two-year travel odyssey - a tale of gruelling training, forbidden romance and an eye-watering insight into the art of 'iron-crotch' kungfu. Dasavatharam Old Tamil Movie. Author by: Grandmaster Dennis Westley Horton Language: en Publisher by: Horton Enterprises Format Available: PDF, ePub, Mobi Total Read: 38 Total Download: 855 File Size: 40,9 Mb Description: This is the first authoritative work on the combat system Tae Lua Kune Do. This Polynesian system was taught in Hawaii during the Vietnam War and continues to be taught at the American Shaolin Temple in Inglewood, California. This volume focuses on Grandmaster Gaylin Eugene Griffie the man who brought the system to mainland American after receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1971. Author by: Lisa Funnell Language: en Publisher by: SUNY Press Format Available: PDF, ePub, Mobi Total Read: 32 Total Download: 945 File Size: 49,6 Mb Description: Considers the significance of Chinese female action stars in national and transnational contexts.