About this title: Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, this coming-of-age tale explores one young American's quest to become a kung fu master at China's legendary Shaolin Temple. 8-page photo insert.
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Description: Very good. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Acceptable. Former Library book. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Good. Former Library book. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Gotham
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9781592402625ISBN:1592402623
Description: New. First printing Feb 2007 Slight shelf wear GoodwillnyBooks is committed to providing each customer with the highest standard of customer service. You may return new items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Gotham
Date Published: 2-1-07
ISBN-13:9781592402625ISBN:1592402623
Description: FINE. Superb, crisp, clean, unread hardcover with light shelfwear to the dust jacket and publisher's mark to one edge-GREAT! 1.2 lbs. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Gotham Books
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9781592403370ISBN:1592403379
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. New book, no remainder mark. Trade paperback. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 366 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Gotham
Date Published: 2007-12-27
ISBN-13:9781592403370ISBN:1592403379
Description: Like New. Sold with pride. This is a previously unread copy pulled from our store shelves. It is rated as like new because it may have light shelf wear. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Gotham
Date Published: 2007-12-27
ISBN-13:9781592403370ISBN:1592403379
Description: Like New. Sold with pride. This is a previously unread copy pulled from our store shelves. It is rated as like new because it may have light shelf wear. read more
"This book is an excellent, straightforward account of a young American's experience at what could be considered one of the oldest martial atrs training centers in the world.
Polly describes his experiences with a great deal of humor, and does not attempt to hide the difficulties he had in adjusting to the wide cultural diffenerces he experienced.
This book should be read by anyone interested in martial arts in general, as well as someone interested in contemporary Chinese culture."
"If alarm bells ring at a book title beginning 'American' rest assured, this is an unexpected gem. Matthew Polly writes with wonderfully self-depreciating humour that makes for a very enjoyable read. Better still, he delivers real insight into modern training at the Shaolin temple.
There is a sense of genuine warmth for the people he meets and every word rings true. Polly is not afraid to expose the less spiritual side of Shaolin, with its tourist traps, political intrigues and the unhappy relationship between business, politics and religion.
He describes his training in both traditional kungfu and modern kickboxing at Shaolin, together with the monks he befriends, the challenge matches, the girls (or lack of them) and the other strange 'foreigners' who turned up at Shaolin during his 2 year stay. If you liked Iron and Silk and Angry White Pyjamas, American Shaolin is, in some ways, better than either. Highly recommended."
"If you've ever harbored a secret desire to become a ninja you might want to read this book.
The true story of a scrawny Princeton student (from Topeka, KS!) who takes a two-year leave of absence to study kung-fu at a legendary temple deep within China.
The author admits at the end he made himself out to be more clever and cool than he really is, but I wish he had said that in the beginning as a warning and notice of self-awareness.
Still, lots of interesting tidbits about Chinese culture seen through American eyes. Not to mention the detailed accounts of Iron Crotch kung-fu. Ouch."
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