Good book on martial arts/ Chinese kung fu?

[CrazyFrog]

Aloha, I'm trying to find a good book on the history of Chinese kung fu, and/or martial arts in general. I'm not looking so much at anything about HK cinema but rather actual progression of the art from its beginnings.

Any suggestions?

[Manozen]

Hi,

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts would be an excellent choice IMO,
great contrast of historical, cultural, and technical aspects.

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Asian-Fighting-Bushido-Warrior/dp/0870114360)

Manozen

[Bruce]

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts is an excellent book to serve as an overview of Asian martial arts. In fact, any book authored or co-authored by Donn Draeger would be worth a look; Draeger was clearly a committed researcher of martial arts, an intelligent writer, & probably one of the best American martial artists ever (though you won't often see him credited as such).

[Jesse Smooth]

There is the Bubishi: Bible of Karate. I've skimmed through it a few times, but haven't bought it yet. It discusses the connection between Chinese kung fu and Japanese/Okinawan karate. Also discusses influences on the arts. Provides history on the developments and locations (southern China and Okinawa).

[Jingangchan]

Aloha, I'm trying to find a good book on the history of Chinese kung fu, and/or martial arts in general. I'm not looking so much at anything about HK cinema but rather actual progression of the art from its beginnings.

Any suggestions?

Try back issues of popular magazines such as IKF and/or WuShu/KungFu. They often have great articles on what you're looking for.

[CrazyFrog]

Thanks all. I will look into some of these for sure.

[jiujitsu77]

does anyone remember a book (of course i forget the author) but it was a hardcover, and it had a ninja in the sunset drawing a sword? the book was an exhaustive wealth of info. it coverd everything even silat, muay thai, shorini kempo. came out in the eighties....it was just called martial arts. ill dig it up, but it would definitely help

[KyFi]

I thought this one was quite an excellent overview of the history of Chinese martial arts---it really shatters a lot of common myths:

http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Martial-Arts-Training-Manuals/dp/1556435576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229024759&sr=1-1

[richardsonbob95]

Hello. I can help you, well i don't have any book on history of Chinese kung fu but for this topic i would like to suggest you for this article, I went through the whole article and found many great information regarding the history of Chinese kung fu.
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/historykungfu_sply.htm