Enticing look at inland China of the l980s and the world of Kungfu. Matthew Polly, mid-college, spends two years in rural China living among Buddhist monks and training in Kungfu at the infamous Shaolin Temple. Polly is a self-effacing, humorous story-teller. Teens interested in martial arts, Chinese culture, tales of under dogs besting their foes (Polly was an admitted 98-lb weaking at start) will appreciate this true story. Language and sexual exploits (not explicit) will limit its appropriateness to senior high or mature readers. ( )

Last year I saw the Shaolin Monks in a live show and they were amazing, so when I came across this book I immediately thought that I had to read it. This is the memoir of Matthew Polly and the two years he spent in China living with the monks. While attending Princeton, Polly took the bold decision to take a break from college and embark on a physical and spiritual journey.

What he found in China was not what he expected but he was determined and willing to 'eat bitter' so he gained the respect of the monks. By the end of his journey his 'things that are wrong with Matt' list was significantly smaller and through his memoir you experience both his pitfalls and achievements. When reading this book I realized how much I didn't know about China and the cultural differences that exist, I found this very interesting especially learning how China has evolved since then. You don't have to be into martial arts and Buddhism to enjoy this book, it is well written and sometimes comical, definitely not boring. It has certainly encouraged me to read more of these kind of books and proves that non-fiction can be enjoyable too. ( )

Kungfu, Buddhism, contemporary China, cross-cultural confusion and connection.

"There are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of distinct styles of kungfu. There are styles devoted to every conceivable animal. There are 'drunken' styles, regional styles, styles exclusively devoted to one weapon. There are family styles, which are never taught to anyone outside a bloodline. There are external and internal styles, styles for ground fighting, joint manipulation (qin na), and even one focused on head-butting. Chinese kungfu is one of the most glorious examples of obsessive-compulsive behavior in the history of human culture."

Tsingtao Lager
Iron Crotch Pale Ale

An interesting entertaining read; not spectacular, but fun. Nothing in it on the Spiritual aspects of Shaolin. No Zen. Then again, it's based on mathew's experience, and the expectation that there be very serene martial / Zen masters is the product of American Explotation and propaghanda on what Shalin is all about. nonetheless, I enjoyed reading about his experiences