please recommend a general history

[jarrod]

if anyone could direct me to a good, general history of CMA i would really appreciate it. the origins, the major differences between northern & southern, internal & external, introduction to the major styles, etc...basically if there is a CMA equivilent to donn draeger's budo/bujutsu series i'd be interested in hearing about it. i'm not looking for instructionals or anything like that.

thanks,

jf

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

if anyone could direct me to a good, general history of CMA i would really appreciate it. the origins, the major differences between northern & southern, internal & external, introduction to the major styles, etc...basically if there is a CMA equivilent to donn draeger's budo/bujutsu series i'd be interested in hearing about it. i'm not looking for instructionals or anything like that.

thanks,

jf

I don't think there is a "General" history but there are overviews of the history of Chinese Martial Arts. You could start with this http://www.amazon.com/Kung-Fu-Histo...TF8&coliid=I2QIG9YIIIFDC0&colid=25B3CNEBVBTXU .

 

[David Weatherly]

I don't think there is a "General" history but there are overviews of the history of Chinese Martial Arts. You could start with this http://www.amazon.com/Kung-Fu-Histo...TF8&coliid=I2QIG9YIIIFDC0&colid=25B3CNEBVBTXU .

That's going to be your best starting point. I've never seen an extensive overview of all Chinese arts in one volume. There are plenty on specific styles so if you narrow down your interest you can likely find something.

David

 

[Xue Sheng]

Yes the web is a good source
http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/

The series by Sima Qian (Ssuma Ch'ien) 145-90 BC "Records of the Historian" But this not really a general over view but a real good series for ancient China

There is a book we had in College that was a general overview but I am not sure if it is still in print and all it really does is scratch the surface

"China to 1850 A Short History by Charles O. Hucker"

It actually starts with the Xia Dynasty 2205 - 1766 BC ? and ends with the Republic 1949

 

[Formosa Neijia]

http://www.plumpub.com/sales/thoughts/bk_springautumn.htm

The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts is a must have. I wish it were mandatory reading for everyone who posts on these and other CMA forums because it would clear up so much BS. this book was actually written by a professor of CMA history. He's also a practitioner and researcher of baguazhang. It's the best i've seen.

 

[Xue Sheng]

Sorry, I miss read your original post. I missed your CMA specification and thought Chinese History.

A good web source is http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-chinese-martial-arts

It is, for the most part, fairly correct… but not 100% and not all arts.

Also there is another book that touches on some CMA styles, as well as MAs of other countries

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior)

 

[arnisador]

Thanks to all who are posting books/links--I'm paying attention and making a reading list!

 

[David Weatherly]

http://www.plumpub.com/sales/thoughts/bk_springautumn.htm

The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts is a must have. I wish it were mandatory reading for everyone who posts on these and other CMA forums because it would clear up so much BS. this book was actually written by a professor of CMA history. He's also a practitioner and researcher of baguazhang. It's the best i've seen.

You're so right, I forgot that one! Short book but excellent.