Research Catalog
American Shaolin : flying kicks, Buddhist monks, and the legend of iron crotch : an odyssey in the new China
- Title
- American Shaolin : flying kicks, Buddhist monks, and the legend of iron crotch : an odyssey in the new China / Matthew Polly.
- Author
- Polly, Matthew.
- Publication
- New York : Gotham Books, c2007.
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2 Items
| Status | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Use in library | GV1100.7.A2 P65 2007 | Off-site | |
Not available - Please for assistance. | Text | Use in library | Off-site |
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Details
- Description
- 366 p. : ill.; 24 cm.
- Summary
- Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies, Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become a fighter like in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. Later, Matthew decided to pursue this quixotic dream: he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Expecting to find an isolated citadel of supernatural ascetics, he instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks--but the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms. As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the Temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.--From publisher description.
- Subject
- Contents
- Bk. 1: Wanderer. First step ; Lost in transplantation ; Sleeping beauty ; Kungfu world ; Lights, camera, action ; A Coke and a smile ; Defection -- Bk 2: Novice. Eating bitter ; The show must go on ; Chinese medicine ; Roommates ; Shaolin's champion ; The sacred and the profane -- Bk. 3: Initiate. Kickboxing ; Media matters ; Iron forearm boy ; Taiwan tunes ; Playing hands ; Crazy negotiations ; Taking a beating -- Bk. 4: Apprentice. Happy endings ; Iron crotch kungfu ; Getting schooled ; The sixth race ; Dirty jokes and beer ; Pride and penance ; Another American -- Bk. 5: Disciple. Challenge match ; Mistress management ; Tournament ; No problems ; The Western spear ; Endings -- Epilogue: Shaolin reunion.
- ISBN
- 9781592402625 (hardcover)
- 1592402623 (hardcover)
- LCCN
- 2006025384
- OCLC
- ocm70866948
- SCSB-14293700
- Owning Institutions
- Princeton University Library