This 170 page paperback on Ta Sheng Pek Kwar was written by the well-known monkey kung fu stylist Paulie Zink and one of his senior students. It appears to be self-published. The style is also referred to as Tai Sheng Pek Kwar and is the merger of Tai Sheng (Monkey style)and Pek Kwar (Ax Fist).
The book covers the history and family tree of both systems as well as discussion of Taoist Yoga, which makes up perhaps a third of a monkey stylist's training and provides the needed flexibility. (Mr. Zink's classes run to six hours, starting with two hours of Taoist Yoga.) There is also an interview with Mr. Zinkand a section on GM Ken Tak Hoi.
True to its title, the book concentrates on the history of the two component systems and the combined system, plus an overview of techniques and weapons. It mentions that Pek Kwar is sometimes taught on its own as well as in conjunction with the monkey system.
There are many pictures including some old pictures of monkey masters (mostly Ken Tak Hoi, the "2nd generation monkey master"). Most of the pictures are of Mr. Zink however.
I find this book interesting to flip through. It is not academic in tone; it provides a visually intriguing and enjoyable telling of the story of monkey kung fu.
The book covers the history and family tree of both systems as well as discussion of Taoist Yoga, which makes up perhaps a third of a monkey stylist's training and provides the needed flexibility. (Mr. Zink's classes run to six hours, starting with two hours of Taoist Yoga.) There is also an interview with Mr. Zinkand a section on GM Ken Tak Hoi.
True to its title, the book concentrates on the history of the two component systems and the combined system, plus an overview of techniques and weapons. It mentions that Pek Kwar is sometimes taught on its own as well as in conjunction with the monkey system.
There are many pictures including some old pictures of monkey masters (mostly Ken Tak Hoi, the "2nd generation monkey master"). Most of the pictures are of Mr. Zink however.
I find this book interesting to flip through. It is not academic in tone; it provides a visually intriguing and enjoyable telling of the story of monkey kung fu.
