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'A sensibility more alien to my own than Matthew Polly's is hard to imagine. I consider foreign cultures to be really ... foreign. I don't spiritually quest; I go to church. As for the martial arts, I own a gun. But I loved American Shaolin. Reading it was like being abducted by an alien -- a brilliant, funny, and hospitable alien who took me to another universe of sensibility. There I enjoyed myself immensely' P.J. O'Rourke 'Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and David Carradine all played Shaolin Monks, but Matthew Polly actually lived it. In American Shaolin, he enters China's most famous temple, the birthplace of zen and martial arts, and uncovers unique insights on religion, sex, politics, and kicking butt-a revealing confession of monastic life in modern China.' Gene Ching, KUNG FU TAI CHI MAGAZINE
Dan Rathers
'Tells more about what's going on in China, has more insights into
the real China, than anything in recent years'
the real China, than anything in recent years'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book very much and had to ration myself so that I didn't finish it too quickly.
As well as details of the author's time at the Shaolin Temple the book would also be of use to anyone visting China. It gives lots of useful cultural tips and is a fascinating insight.
What let it down a little was that the events in the book were in 1992/1993. Things have changed since, as highlighted by the author in the book's epilogue. The author returned in 2003 on the 10th anniversary of his stay. Still, it's nice having this follow-up chapter, it gives some (too little) info on what happened to the friends he made.
It's a quick, entertaining read that I heartily recommend, prompting this, my first ever Amazon review, and I'm not normally a fan-boy!
As well as details of the author's time at the Shaolin Temple the book would also be of use to anyone visting China. It gives lots of useful cultural tips and is a fascinating insight.
What let it down a little was that the events in the book were in 1992/1993. Things have changed since, as highlighted by the author in the book's epilogue. The author returned in 2003 on the 10th anniversary of his stay. Still, it's nice having this follow-up chapter, it gives some (too little) info on what happened to the friends he made.
It's a quick, entertaining read that I heartily recommend, prompting this, my first ever Amazon review, and I'm not normally a fan-boy!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you ever tire of your mundane life and long for adventure then this book will inspire you. One American's journey to the Shaolin temple in China dispells preconceptions about ignorant arrogant Yanks. His humbleness and determination shine through as he laps up all the bitterness the monks can throw at him. A seriously enjoyable read, with humour and pain in equal measures. But be warned gentlemen contains graphic scenes describing how to obtain an Iron Crotch, not for the faint hearted.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought this book was a great read. Some very entertaining characters & encounters throughout, written with a great sense of fun. I highly recommend it, whether you are a martial arts fan or not.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Eat Bitter
The events that this book describes took place in the years 1992 - 1993 so anybody looking for up to the minute insights on the 'New China' will be disappointed. Read more
Published on 20 Dec 2009 by A. C. Green
An unexpected gem
If alarm bells ring at a book title beginning `American' rest assured, this is an unexpected gem. Matthew Polly writes with wonderfully self-depreciating humour that makes for a... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by Goran Powell
Why did he put himself through it?
This isn't the author's fault, but I felt the blurb or jacket of this book tried to portray that Polly was a 5 stone weakling who couldn't kick a mouse out of a cat's gob, but that... Read more
Published on 10 July 2009 by sosickofstudying
A book to please many people
Having discovered this book by chance on Amazon, I decided to buy it one the strength of the reviews. Read more
Published on 2 April 2009 by Northern Snowman
a great read
this was a most enjoyable book, you certainly dont need to be interested in martial arts to appreciate it. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2009 by tigmum
American Shaolin
Matt Polly enlightens us of his journey to China where he took a gap year from University in the States to learn martial arts from the legendary Shaolin Temple in China. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2008 by S. Sutherland
A rare insight into Shaolin
I enjoyed this book immensely. I am a fan of Chinese and Japanese culture and this book didn't disapoint. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2008 by Prince Barry
A very entertaining read.
Amercian Shaolin is about Matthew Polly's time at the Shaolin temple in China. In the early 1990s Matt Polly tok time out from college and went to China (on his Daddy's college... Read more
Published on 9 Sep 2007 by Ashleigh
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