China Books

Master swordsman, calligrapher, and Zen practitioner, Yamoaka Tesshu is a seminal figure in martial arts history. John Stevens's biography is a fascinating, detailed account of Tesshu's remarkable life. From Tesshu's superhuman feats of endurance and keen perception in life-threatening situations, to his skilful handling of military affairs during the politically volatile era of early nineteenth-century Japan, Stevens recounts the stories that have made Tesshu a legend. This is the book all martial artists must own. (For this item please quote stock ID 21864) ISBN: 9781570620508

Here is the exciting story of a young boy from China who learned martial arts in a harsh school and went on to conquer the movie worlds of Hong Kong and Hollywood. Reading level 5-8. (For this item please quote stock ID 23200) ISBN: 9780823935192

Best known for her dynamic work in the recent Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Michelle Yeoh is fast becoming one of the stars of Hong Kong and Hollywood action movies. Readers will learn about her background in dance and choreography, her entry into acting, and her groundbreaking determination to become an actress who does her own stunts. Reading level 5-8. (For this item please quote stock ID 23201) ISBN: 9780823935208

Now 101 years old, Master T. T. Liang arrived in the U.S. from Taiwan in the 1960s and introduced tai chi to America. His life story is full of the stuff that makes a great martial arts adventure: a career as a high-ranking government official, street fights and shootouts, opium dens and prostitutes, mystical martial arts masters and monks - the story of a life lived to the absolute maximum. Twenty-five photographs add to the captivating life story of this great tai chi master. (For this item please quote stock ID 20571) ISBN: 9781556434167

Ron Sieh is the director of the Wu Wei School of Martial Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Of his previous book Tai Chi Chuan: the Internal Tradition, a reviewer at Prediction Magazine wrote: 'This is simply the best book I have ever read on any martial art'. Now the gentle boxer man is back with a new tour de force. Here he talks about his life, his training and his teaching. There may be no one in the world better at teaching martial arts to pre-teens and teenagers than Ron Sieh. Not just martial arts but values, heart, courage, a sense of humour, a way to turn bullying and teasing into reconciliation and fun. (For this item please quote stock ID 24513) ISBN: 9781556435027