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Summary: Pieces of Gold, interspersed with Psychological Angst
Comment: Pieces of Gold, interspersed with Lowenthal's Psychological Angst
All of the preceding reviewers points of view are mostly true, this book has some great gems and insights into Professor Cheng Man-ch'ings Mastery of Tai Chi. Unfortunatly much of the book is like wading through a "bad" Woody Allen movie, full of Upper middle class, eastern U.S., psycho-babble and Angst. Lowenthal would have written a much much better book if he had stayed with Tai Chi Chuan and left his tortured/guilt ridden pysche & memories out of the book. What Lowental's memories of Professor add to the text, his personal commentaries about his own past, psychological "insights" etc. take away.
If I had a very limited amount of money to spend, and I wanted to maximize my reading on Tai Chi, I would go for those books written by Prof Cheng, like His Thirteen Treatises, or the Essence of Tai Chi by Lo/Inn and save Lowenthal's books for when I am interested in much lighter fare.
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Summary: More Great Tai Chi Information From Lowenthal
Comment: The style is very similar to "There Are No Secrets" - it is equally entertaining and informative. There is some repetition from the first book, but in my opinion his first book contains so much information that it is nearly impossible to digest it all. I think it is helpful to hear a few of the same ideas rephrased or put in a different context.The chapters on Tai Chi fencing were very interesting and original. You also learn more about Lowenthal's life during his Tai Chi training days and meet some of the other characters he trains with. His attempt to honestly portray both himself and the professor really makes Tai Chi feel like an art that should practiced by ordinary people and not just monks on some mountain.
The pictures are nice too!
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Summary: Glimpses of an epic tai chi journey
Comment: Wolfe Lowenthals training under the famous Cheng Man-ching is to be envied for its depth and duration . He spent hours everyday for seven years seeking to plumb the depths of Cheng's Taichi, to inquire deeply within himself and of his teacher to try and exemplify its essence, in boxing as well as life. Lowenthal continues to grapple with the paradoxes of push hands obeying Master Cheng's instructions to the letter: "never use more than 4 ounces" Through tireless effort he achieves skill.
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Summary: Excellent discussion of author's development in tai chi
Comment: This book is related to, but should not be considered a sequel to the author's book, "There Are No Secrets," about his studies with Chen Man Ching. It is, however, an excellent discussion of how the author incorporated his tai chi studies into his life and thoughts, and his growth as a martial artist. I recommend it highly as a companion to his earlier book.
