American Shaolin

Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in the New China

De: Matthew Polly

Narrado por: George Newbern

Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American's quest to become a kung fu master at China's legendary Shaolin Temple.

Growing up a 90-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism.

Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he had seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms - some even practicing the "iron kung fu" discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible-even the crotch. As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.

Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man's journey into the ancient art of kung fu - and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.

©2018 Matthew Polly (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Not just a great story

A fun and funny story that is as much about human interaction as it is about kung fu. One of the greatest takeaways is that is delivers a good about of information about Chinese social culture through a good story and someone learning their way through it.

Unique account of an American in Shaolin.

The Narrator is impecable in explaining the visits that Mathew Poly had ln Shaolin's Henan Province, and other parts of mainland China.

Well written and whole book was interesting

Matthew Polly experience's in China was a pleasure to listen . His Experience's as a student of Shaolin and general Chinese Culture was fascinating

INCREDIBLE

What a wonderful book. Once I started , I could not stop. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Great book ,American Shaolin Rocks!

This is one of the best books,on the subject with a very different style,it is
Very revealing,very funny it is a book for both martial artist and non martial artist alike,this is a fun ride .Matt Polly is the man!

Honest and inspiring!

What a worthwhile read. An honest account of an inspiring journey. Well read too. I loved it!

Great story on culture

I enjoyed this book very much. It was filled with lots of lessons on life and cultural experiences. As with many people who walk the path of Martial Arts it is only a vessel in which we share with others that allow us to experience and express ourselves. This story does a great job of using Kung Fu as the backdrop and glue of the story.

It's About Time!!!

I was looking for an audiobook version of this to go along with my paperback book I bought ten years ago. Yess!!! Maybe Now will get Tapped Out.

Unintentionally funny

As an overall dark and morose person I seldom laugh. This book is definitely not intended as comedy. I genuinely laughed out loud several times and twice to the point of Tears. Not lol, genuinely laughed out loud.

Loved it

things that are wrong with this book:

1. Nothing

loved it way more than I thought I would! very funny and very entertaining.