San Soo Books

Master Kalar has done it, This is by far the best book on our wounderfully uniqe art. PACKED with easy to follow pics and examples, by far the best, my hats off to you Master Jason D. Kalar, I myself have studied SAN SOO for well over a quarter of a century and am not easily impressed. Not ever meeting Master Jason Kalar I can tell he has a true solid grasp on our art.

Kung Fu San Soo Basics is filled with tons of useful information and tips regarding the combat art we call San Soo. It has A LOT of good lessons, many of which are accompanied by pictures. The pictures are very clear and help the reader follow along easily. The lessons are great for both beginners and more advanced students. This book illustrates San Soo in its truest form.If you are a San Soo student, this book is a MUST. If you are not, but would like to discover an EFFECTIVE martial art then this is also the perfect book for you.

Kung Fu San Soo Basics is the best book I've seen on San Soo. It is written clearly and directly, in a very honest fashion, and gives you exactly what it promises: the basics of Kung Fu San Soo, covering the history of the art, the lineage, stances, vital and non-vital points, natural and unnatural weapons, blocks/strikes, forms, and lessons--with a wide variety of pictures, including some of Jimmy H. Woo. Not only are the lessons clearly arranged by topic, such as flips and throws, but many lessons are clearly illustrated with pictures, making them easy to follow.

Kung Fu San Soo Basics is a good addition to a martial arts reference shelf, especially for San Soo practitioners. If you're new to San Soo and want a general overview of the art, Kung Fu San Soo Basics would be an extremely helpful guide. If you've been practicing for years, it would be an excellent review, especially for its checklists of things to remember and how well it covers the basics. If you're curious about San Soo, it would give you a lot of useful information and give you a very clear guide to the basics of the art.

I have a black belt in Karate and have purchased many kata books for Karate over the years and I can tell you that Barbara Wallace's San Soo Forms book runs circles around them all!! I have never seen a forms book which was so complete! The explanations are superb. it's almost like being in a dojo and having the sensei talking to you!
It is too bad there are only 25 forms in the book!
It is well worth the money!!
Be warned this is NOT a "How To" book, but a book on forms, and so is more useful for some one already experienced in martial arts or taking San Soo in a school. But for anyone interested in San Soo get this book.

You will need experience in Kung Fu San Soo to understand these forms but I wholeheartedly support Barbara in her fine work. She has an amazing knowledge of this art and she has done a fine job of breaking down forms used in our schools worldwide.

Enjoy!

An introductory book on Kung-Fu San Soo that goes beyond the basics; and gives the reader a more thorough explanation of the combat principles that lie behind the Kung-Fu San Soo techniques.

Master Robert R. Shores book entitled, "Kung-Fu San Soo: From Principle to Technique" is a must read for the serious practitioner of Kung-Fu San Soo!

The reason this book is listed third in my listmania list is because after the two books written by Master Greg Jones, this is most important, must have, must read book on the subject of Kung-Fu San Soo.

Master Robert R. Shores goes deeper into the principles of line, distance, angle, and attack; picking up where Master Greg Jones leaves off in his two books.

A word of suggestion for the author and/or publisher of this book. Go back, and re-do the book; and include the missing photographs to accompany the written text. That is the only distraction that takes away from this otherwise brilliantly written text.

I am currently a Green Belt studying San Soo Kung Fu in Huntsville, Texas. This book is an amplified version of everything I have learned so far, and then some. The insight and techniques given in this book can be directly applied to any self defense situation.
I highly recommend both books by this author,though they are not the type of books to be left lying around for just anyone to read.

Anyone who wants to learn how to protect themselves should seriously buy this book! It has alot of material to go through and pictures that aid as well, buy this book you wont be sorry!

Author Greg Jones presents the style of Jimmy Woo (not to be confused with James Wing Woo) in a practical and complete light. A brief history of Jimmy Woo's San Soo Kung Fu is offered, with indepth handling of topics such as striking, leverage, balance, etc. There is a lot of writing in this book, it is not a picture how-to book. You will find a detailed explanation of how to understand why these methods work. Jones offers detailed reasoning behind all of the major theories of San Soo, and professionally shot photos give examples which help explain concepts. Jimmy Woo's San Soo is a descendent of Choi Li Fut kung fu, stripped down to its most practical elements. Woo was a strong believer in using what was effective and winning the battle without delay. Jones does an excellent job of explaining that message to those of us who haven't studied Woo's San Soo Kung Fu but would like to understand the concepts of the art and gain an insight into how a fighter and survivor like Jimmy Woo thought.

It is a book that is barbaric Judo. It does not get intermediate or advanced, it is a bigginer Judo book with no technique. Little can be learned from this except how to injure a groin or poke out eyes.

Wow, this book is awesome. If you want to learn how to injure someone fast and efficient then buy this book. I'm glad that not a lot of people know about this style of kung-fu because then everybody on the streets would be deadly. So please don't buy this book and leave me, and me alone, with this priceless knowledge of how to inflict excruciating pain with minimal force.

I love this philosophy. I love San Soo. I love this book. Even without the training the attitude taught in this book can help anyone survive in today's world.

I HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK YET, IS THIS BOOK WORTH IT? CAN IT HELP YOU TO FIGHT? WILL IT HELP ME ON STREETFIGHTING TOO? WILL IT HELP ME IN OTHER SPORTS LIKE FOOTBALL AND AGGRESSIVE SPORTS WHICH REQUIRE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR??

When you read of "the inner beast" in this book, I'm referring to confidence in willingness to commit to attack.
The key word here is 'confidence'. If you aren't confident in your ability or readiness, you'll be tentative, hesitant, and headed for disaster.
Preparing for realistic violence means training realistically from comitted attacks in places you're most likely to be, outside a school. Only then will you have the confidence to seize that sparkle-burst moment of opportunity to end a dangerous situation at its beginning.
Confidence is a state of being that I can't give you; this is something you must earn through the sweat of your own brow.
There's no such 'thing' as 'the beast', It's only a metaphor for an intangible condition.
Regardless of what I or anyone else ever says about fighting, remember this: Rhetoric is debatable; pain is irrefutable.
The study of violence in any form is a pathway, not a destination. I wouldn't cheat you of the journey even if I could.

Imagine the explosive power of a predatory beast! A lioness, say, or a cheetah or wolf. It has to swiftly take down its prey, often larger than itself, usually on the run. It instinctively knows its prey's vulnerable points and just where and how to strike them. Kung Fu San Soo is a predatory fighting system with no sporting application. There are no tournaments or "sparring", just devastating self-defense. It won't turn you into a predator, but it can give you the the instinctive reactions and capabilities of one! Like the tiger, the San Soo fighter takes down and destroys his opponant in three to seven seconds. I've had Master Jones' book for a long time, and enjoy reading it for his witty writing and sound technique. But a recent event compels me to share it with others: several months ago, while home alone, I experienced a "home invasion". The young tweeker smashed through our security screen-door, yelling and cursing in an attempt to intimidate his victim. Boy, did he ever choose the wrong one! Two principles of San Soo, as instructed by Master Jones, are never let an opponant intimidate you or get his hands on you. Never be the prey! Become the Predator! In an instant, I had lunged off the couch and attacked him, roaring like a lioness. How dare he break into my living room and terrorize my cats! He screamed and fled in a panic. I chased him out of the house and to the end of the driveway, roaring so loudly I tore my vocal chords. My invader probably never realized his pursuer was a 50-year-old woman; what he perceived was a TIGER coming at him! This is how San Soo can unleash your own Inner Beast when you most need protection. In many cases, as in this one, you may not even have to fight; your predatory ferocity might be enough. But do understand that the fighting techniques are brutal, and wreak swift "carnivorous" carnage. As Master Jones writes: better to him than to you! This was not the only time San Soo has prevented me from being hurt -- maybe this time it even saved my life! Obviously no book can provide the skill obtained by practice. But "The Inner Beast of San Soo" might convince you to give predator training a "fighting chance"!

One thing you are trying to learn as a martial artist, is the ability to turn your "inner beast" back on. Civilization has put a big onus on not losing your temper, staying cool, to the point that most individuals attending self-defesense classes don't have the ability to "turn it on" at will while staying in control of themselves. They are poorly served by classes that only rely on "technique" and that do not teach the real essentials of combat.

Therefore, a book that is titled "The Inner Beast Of San Soo" and then fails to give a "how to" account of this essential part of selfdefense, is misleading it's readers.

In fact, when it comes down to it, the author implicity states - I'm not going to tell you! Work and "it will come to your". Well that's not why I forked over $14.96.

To quote from the chapter Calling Up The Beast Within: "We truly are the total sum of every decision we've ever made. And when you decide to feed the beast [what with?] and make it grow, _it will grow_! When you decide to slumber and live the life of ease and look for someone else to protect you, the beast will wander and hybernate. You can have a ferocious power in your hands that will protect you always. Decide now to master the beast. Believe now, and it will happen!"

Wow. Gee, thanks, master Greg. HOW ABOUT SOME _HOW-TO EXERCISES_??

This is just total filler. What you're left with is a couple of photographs with some generic self-defense scenarios that can be found better in any book on Kenpo Karate.

What a waste.

Master Gatewood provides an excellent overview of Kung Fu San Soo. His insights come from decades of study under Jimmy H. Woo (AKA Chin Siu Dek) and as a law enforcement officer. He explains many Kung Fu San Soo principals in plain language. This work is well researched and provides an excellent resource for students and instructors alike.

Master Gatewood has done a suberb job in exacting detail. A must read for the San Soo fighter that needs to know, and wants the truth.

At a time when many speculate about hidden truths of San Soo, applause goes to Master Ronald Gatewood who tells it as it was and is. What can be more noble and respectful than the truth.
The art and Jimmy H. Woo's life do not lend themselves to embellishment and half truths. The Grandmaster's story is simple but powerful, as was his goal in the teaching of his art. Anything more than good reporting would render this neat book, forgettable.

Any and all information put out on the art of San Soo is more than valuable, I've read the book and came away with questions to take back to my Master, Master Gatewood shares a variety of information that he's gathered for over 30 years in the art, Considering it takes years to learn the art I'm glad someone published something of this art.

This volume is NOT a "how-to" book. It IS a very thorough and detailed explanation of Kung Fu San Soo as originally taught by Jimmy Woo. For the first time, there is a decent explanation of Woo's San Soo Kung Fu history, which should put to rest rumors that he was an American Kenpo breakaway (he wasn't). Jimmy Woo, this volume explains, was originally schooled in Chai Li Fut (aka Choy Lay Fut) kung fu, and a chart on page 37 of this volume illustrates his lineage. Gatewood offers all the specifics of Woo's hostory, including his immigration to the US via forged papers (one of the reasons he changed his name--don't confuse him with James Wing Woo!). There are also some very good pictures of Jimmy Woo and other san soo folks. A lot of sensible theory is included in this book as well. I should add here that I am not a San Soo stylist, and have had no problem relating to or understanding the material presented in this book. Another good source for those wanting to learn more about San Soo KF history is the San Soo Journal, Volume 3 #4, which includes an article by a San Soo practitioner who visited Woo's mother in China, and described his converstaion with her (pictures included) concerning her missing son.

Ah, fourty-five self defense moves. Shame that there are only thirteen pictures in it! OK, the book had some good concepts, and I'm sure that most of the self-defense lessons are servicable. However, the lack of photos is more than disappointing. I did like the fact that after every lesson, there was a "Concepts to Learn" portion. I'd like to see that in more books like this. In the beggining of the book, concepts, basic striking tools, and stances are covered, though not very well. Many of the terms used in the book are not explained well, or sometimes not at all, and this makes reading difficult. It's an OK book for a martial artist to use, mostly to incorporate into his self-defense studies, and also gives some insight into San Soo, but in that respect is by no means complete. It's a little useful, but may not be worth the price.

I agree without pictures it is very hard to visualize exactly how do to do the lessons that are presented. Someone should revise it an do it justice by adding pictures to it to make it more understandable.

I have been out of the art for over 13 years for a variety of reasons and was lucky to find this book. Starting with lesson one, it all began to come back. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the art of Kung Fu San Soo.

While Grandmaster Jimmy H. Woo (Lo Sifu Chin Siu Dek) was teaching in Southern California a variety of students recorded the lessons. Since Grandmaster Woo was the first to teach this martial art to anyone who wasn't Chinese, no one was sure about what was the best way to write out the techniques in English. So, those records vary greatly in the quality and clarity of what was written. Master Gatewood kept meticulous records, including many 8mm films and later video tapes. I have a number of copies of these lessons from varying sources and feel that Master Gatewood's book explains the lessons with particular clarity and stresses the priceless principals involved with each technique.

Some reviewers have complained about the book lacking enough photographs. That would be true if one were trying to learn Kung Fu San Soo from a book alone. You can't, there's too much to it. If you are an experienced martial artist, looking to gain a familiarity with Kung Fu San Soo, this book will be very informative about our basic techniques. (There are hundreds of Kung Fu San Soo techniques-- the Basic 45 are the foundation for the rest.) So, if you want to learn Kung Fu San Soo, you must learn it from a knowledgeable instructor. For anyone who is, this book is very well written and invaluable.

The care taken to convey the material as accurately as possible is evident. However, without step by step pictures it is still hard to follow. I was a little disappointed.

This should be remedied in future editions as it would add immensely to the value of the book. In its present form, this book is not worth the purchase price.

Master Gatewood has done a tremendous job on this compilation. A must read for all San Soo fighters and those who have and interest into the workings of the ancient chinese self defense.

I subscribed to "The San Soo Journal" during its five year run. Overall, it was a good publication with many interesting articles. There are two main problems that I have with this book entitled the "Best of the San Soo Journal volume # 1."

The first problem is that during the five year publication of "The San Soo Journal" numerous guest (Master ranked & non-Master ranked) authors wrote insightful, informative, and extremely helpful articles. Master Ron Gatewood has included mostly his own articles, with very few articles written by guest authors. These guest articles are, for the most part, missing; and this detracts from the value that the reader would otherwise derive from this volume.

The second problem is that an article is included of a "human interest story" nature (or perhaps that would be a "canine interest story"?) about his beloved dog dying of old age. No one was interested in this piece of information the first time it was originally ran inside "The San Soo Journal," and certainly no one wants to read about it again. A dog passing away from old age is most certainly *NOT* a best article!

The book gives some interesting insight into the knowledge base of Master Ron Gatewood, and should be viewed as such. But numerous articles from the old San Soo Journal by other authors would have significantly increased the scope and depth of this book. Hopefully, Master Ron Gatewood will change his mind and produce future volumes with these many interesting and insightful articles from the many, many others that contributed articles to the San Soo Journal.

For the years that I received the San Soo Journal published by Master Gatewood, and I would eagerly await every forthcoming issue. It is really a shame that a publication of its importance for this incredible fighting is no longer published.

The San Soo Journal is must read information for those who want insight into San Soo and an introduction to those other masters looking to make a contribution to the art and its preservation.

Master Gatewood has made a much larger contribution to this art form with the production of the journal and his writings than almost any of the trolls on the internet who have not trained in years.

I appreciate Master Gatewood's editorial ability in selecting just the right topics to include in this volume. He writes about a wide variety of subjects and also includes articles by other talented masters of the art. His manner is simple and direct even though some of the subject matter could become very complex if followed to its end.

Thanks Master Gatewood

There are 3 things I like about Ron Gatewood.

-That a master level practitioner takes the time and effort to write books that offer up his first hand insight, his observation and his opinion in what is frequently a martial arts climate that values hedonic, self-righteousness & self-indulgence over disciplined study and precise training and good hard work.

-That despite a very small vocal, local group of hecklers, who seemingly want this fine martial art to fall into disrepair and anyway can't find value in any contribution, Master Gatewood, continues to write books.

-That Master Gatewood, indeed, is writing volume II, dedicatied to the aforementioned 'vocal group'- working title "the fighting punks of san soo"

I'm in the mist of a Korean-American book craze and was excited when I came across this book since I too am a Korean female. Unfortunetly I was disappointed with this book because I was expecting to read a narrative story rather than transcripts of several interviews focusing on Dora Yum Kim's experience as a volunteer and a social activist for the Korean immigrant community. If you're expecting to read about her personal experience as one of the very first American born Koreans in the early 1900s.. you might be disappointed. Its sort of interesting though because she sounds like a compassionate, tolerant non-Korean American. I was also quite annoyed with the author and her Jerry Springer like "final thoughts" at the end of each chapter, it just didn't seem like it belonged there, just wasted pages. I'm not going to give up though, my next read will be Quiet Odyssey by Mary Paik Lee.