One of the few modern Chinese martial arts derived from actual military combat experience, Eagle Claw kung fu is a powerful system featuring advanced locking-hand moves perfected over centuries of civil conflict in China. Kung fu and tai chi master Leung Shum brings this timeless art to today's practitioners, going beneath the veneer of gymnastic athleticism for which the style is known, and revealing many of its essential secrets and insider tips. Shum explains the fundamentals of Eagle Claw kung fu, including the crucial first thirty locking-hand techniques, the punches, kicks, and the all-important signature claws of Ying Jow Pai. Hundreds of striking photographs augment Shum's masterful text, creating the ultimate guide to Eagle Claw kung fu.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Good book Comment: This book is definitely a good book for Eagle Claw practitioners. It provides the frame work and training outline to become proficient in the art. For those who train in it, it is a good reference to found out what you need to train more in to develop as a martial artist.
For those who find it impractical, you should know that it takes at least 5 years of hard training to grasp the basic concepts of Chinese martial arts. This cannot be learned from a book, unlike many self defense techniques. However, the training provides enhanced reflexes, power, and conditioning which in combat will undoubtedly be essential for self defense. There is no exception to hard work. I find that many people who are looking for practicality in a martial art are essentially looking for a quick way of learning without the hard training. I have met many students who believe they are excellent and practical, but in my eyes are very poorly trained. Feeling that you are a good combatant and being one are totally different things. But let me finish with a line that many of my teachers have passed on to me "It is the student and not the art." Customer Rating: Summary: Book worm Comment: Nice illustrations, but I feel that the book leaves out too much. Perhaps I was expecting to read 10+ years of EClaw training in one volume, but did read it in one day. It sits on the shelf as a reference. Customer Rating: Summary: Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung Fu Comment: Eagle claw kung fu has always been known for its grabbing techniques and this book is revealing to some extent. It would be even be better to share the remaing grabbing techniques in another book. Leung Shum Sifu might want to think about sharing his expertise on this style of kung fu through a series of books. Customer Rating: Summary: The Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung Fu: Ying Jow Pai Comment: THe book does not give any practical information much. As the Title said, it only tells general information about the type of kungFu but contain not much useful information. Don't expect to learn anything from the book.
Don't buy except you want to know what it is.
Customer Rating: Summary: Not a book for self-defense Comment: If you are looking for a book on self defense, you should probably pass on this one. It's got some interesting concepts, but the techniques shown would need heavy modification. Try grabbing a punch from someone who knows how to punch properly, and turning it into a complicated joint lock- that's a good way to get knocked out or worse. You can't fool around trying to look pretty when you're in real danger. I'm not knocking Eagle Claw, but this book is about all I've seen of it and it doesn't represent the effective self-defense that the style may very well have. The book looks like a forms reference for students, and for this purpose it's probably perfect, hence my giving it five stars before to calm down the students. The author's students are of course biased and they of course know the style for real. You can't blame us readers without Eagle Claw experience for thinking the art may be over complicated and ineffective, seeing the awkward stances and the false sense of distance (some pictures even showing the protagonist's strike over a foot away from the enemy). Taking a step back to block a punch with a kick, as shown in this book, is absolutely absurd. Yes, you read it right, someone throws a punch at your face and then you take a step back to block it with a high kick. Even if you don't get knocked out trying this, there's still no chance that punch will still be there when you've even finished the step. Wait a minute, with this style it looks like your're supposed to keep your punch extended so it can be kicked! Chambering your fist at your hip is a big no-no as well. I'm sure the author wouldn't want you to do this stuff in a real fight, he just seems to be representing the forms and history. I don't doubt his abilities as martial artist or teacher. The publisher is responsible for misrepresenting the book as real fighting techniques to sell it. This standpoint is where all the bad reviews come from and what the majority of customers would be concerned about.
