Spiritual, moral, philosophical, and of course martial elements are at the heart of the Kung Fu practice. The Art of Chinese Kung Fu explores these core tenets. The first section of the book, “The Dream of Kung Fu,” is concerned with aesthetic manifestations, from photography and art to modern popular culture. Kung Fu’s most famous practitioners, including Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, and seminal movies like “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Kill Bill” are featured prominently. The latter sections of the book, “The Practice of Kung Fu” and “The Legacy of Kung Fu,” dig deeper into the history and lore of the practice in remote parts of China, in the temples and cities where it now flourishes. The philosophical beliefs behind the practice, and the important tenets of harmony and inclusiveness, are presented faithfully, before the reader is treated to centuries-old manuals of Kung Fu that offer new insights into the training and practice necessary to master this timeless martial art.
