Felix Dennis (1947–2014)

Wow this was a really entertaining book, loved the intertwined humor Mr. Dennis uses to convey his message about this cliche topic. He pointed quite correctly, that there are many other things more important in life than money, but as any other person in a free country we are free to choose whatever road we want to take. So he writes what he has learned about it for any of those who wish to walk that path. IMHO one of the best books on this topic, from somebody who actually went through all of it to tell it how it really is. Great read!… (mais)

What exactly is kung-fu?
Where did it originate?
Why was it kept secret for more than 3000 years?
Who were the legendary masters of the art?
When did it come to the Western world?
How can you go about learning kung-fu?

In this beatuifully illustrated and comprehensive book, all your questions on China's deadly martial art have been answered. Step by step, The Beginners Guide to Kung-Fu takes the casually interested reader and the potential novice alike through the facscinating maze of Chinese boxing. Here, at last, the secrets of this incredible art are revealed.

Kung-fu's 5000 year old history dating back to the earlisest dynasties of feudal China.
The myths and traditions of legendary masters, handed down orally from generation to generation.
The Buddhist philosophers and fighting monks who forged kung-fu into a world renowned system of unarmed combat.
Thi internal and external, soft and hard forms of the art.
The power of ch'i, the latent inner energy which permits kung-fu masters to perform seemingly impossible feats of srength and will.
The basic stances, exercises and 'belly breathing' techniques which could alter your whole concept of keeping fit.
The elementary blocks,kicks, jumps and strikes of kung-fu.
The ancient ten commandments of the art.
How kung-fu could help you deal with mugging attacks.

Cover painting by Paul Simons

Contents

Warning
What is kung-fu?
History and origins of kung-fu
Tan tien breathing
Ch'i-The internal power
Yin & yang/soft & hard schools
The ten commandments of kung-fu
Stage 1 Stances
Stage 2 Exercises
Stage 3 Blocks & evasions
Stage 4 Strikes
Stage 5 Kicks
Stage 6 Defence & counter attacks
Stage 7 Mugging defences… (mais)

Indisputable the greatest modern exponent of the deadly Chinese martial art 'Kung Fu,' Bruce Lee was the man with the golden punch. A new kind of screen idol with millions of fans the world over. To Chinese everywhere Lee was a Mesiah, an oriental Muhammed Ali, restoring national pride in a shattered heritage. But to his numerous enemies and rivals, Bruce Lee was an arrogant punk, consumed by a colossal ego and an overwhelming ambition to succeed. Teenage gang leader, glittering superstar, devoted husband, health fanatic, teacher, philosopher, prophet, lover, friend...Lee was all of these and more. Had he lived he would have undoubtedly become the highest paid actor in cinematic historiy. 'To tell you the truth,' he once said, 'I could beat anyone in the world.' In life, Lee was an inspiration to tens of thousands of young disciples. In death, a celluloid enigma, shrouded in a web of ugly scandal and mystery. How could the 'fittest man in the world' have died at only thirty-two? What inner forces drove him to perfect his ancient art? Who really was Bruce Lee? Fully researched and lavishly illustrated with dozens of exclusive photographs, this book tells the almost unbelievable story of a man who truly became a legend in his own time. Bruce Lee...Li Yuen Kam...Little Dragon...King of Kung Fu

Contents

1 Enter the little dragon
A birth in San Francisco
Mother and father
Film debut
Early days in Hong KKOng
The child star
Kid Cheung
Introduction to the martial art
Study under Yip Man
School days
2 The martial art
Historiy and traditions of kukng fu
The secret art
Bodhidharm comes to Shaolin
A glimpse behind closed doors
Principles and techniques
Wing chun
Yip Man
Jeet Kune Do
Kung-fu speads Westwards
ow good was Bruce Lee?
3 Orphan to Hornet
Back in the USA
Philosophy at Washington University
Linda meets Bruce
'Discovery' at Long Beach
The Green Hornet
Return to Hong Kong
Famous pupils
Longstreet
A trans-Pacific call
4 Back at the dream factory
Movietown captial of an empire
Run run shaw
The making of a legend
Mandarin movies
Songs to swords
Fist films
Golden Harvest and Raymond Chow
The Shaw mistake
5 The prodigal son
Homecomng
The Big Boss on a shoe-string
Overnight sensation
Longstreet revisited
Fist of Fury
A national hero
The Warrior shelved
Partnership with Chow
The Way of the draagon
6 Hollywood comes to Hong Kong
The overseas market
Hot property
Warner Bros. and Enter the Dragon
Box office records and disappointments
Arrogance and ego problems
The star syndrome
Temper tantrums
Collapse
World's highest paid actor
Game of Death
7 Only the good die young...
A fatal headache
Hospital dash
The death of Bruce Lee
National mourning
Symbolic funeral in Hong Kong
Valentino revisited
Tributes and respect
Burial in Seattle
Bad omens and a bronze coffin
Ugly gossip and visious rumours
Betty Ting Pei
The scandal mounts
8 One too many dragons
Government inquest
Expert evidence
Spanish fly and a cannabis overdose
The drug Equagesic
Death by misadventure
Colonial reaction
Western wonderings
The dragon poind andother bad fung shui
Walking the tightrope
9 Epilogue
Lee's legacy
The film revolution
Martial hero
The spirit of Bruce Lee lives on'… (mais)