American Shaolin by Matt Polly

[GeneChing]

Many entries are having trouble with the question. The main reason we put that in there is to eliminate spambots. You have no idea how many people answer the question with "mother's maiden name". Anyway, here's a little clue if you promise to keep it as our little secret. The answer is three.

[GeneChing]

Enter to win. Good luck everyone!

[phoenixrising]

Hi Matt,

I just finished reading your book. Didn't want to put down until I was done. I'll preface my comments by saying that I've read more books than anyone I know.

I really enjoyed it. I found it highly engaging and compelling and enjoyed the literary quality of it. The best part of it, for me, was your willingness to be candid and honest, regardless of the light that it portrayed you in. By revealing all of your inadequacies you elevated the book to something universal that allowed the reader to identify with you.

I am curious as to your training after returning from Shaolin. Did you pursue your training with New York's Shaolin monks? What kind of training have you done since and did you get another teacher?

[GeneChing]

The winners were announced three weeks ago. I forgot to update that here.

[hasayfu]

Hi Matthew,

Just finished reading this book and wanted to jump on the band wagon and give you big kudos. It's well written and offers insights that are seldom spoken of. I especially liked the performance dialogue. Having been behind the scenes of various performance for Shaolin Kung Fu Chan, it hit too close to home. LOL

I hope the screen version is as enjoyable. I've been recommending the book to many people. My wife is currently reading it and she hates reading english books.

Keep the faith. I'm also interested in what your training has been since you left. Care to share?

[sun dragon]

Hey Matt,
Great story.
Have you thought about doing a trip to the shaolin temple for students ?

[GeneChing]

sun dragon, Matt led two tours to Shaolin Temple in '95 & '96. I'm proud to say I survived both of them. He touched on it in my article The Shaolin Avant Garde: Three New Books Bring Fresh Perspectives on Shaolin Temple in our Jan Feb 007 issue (the Shaolin Special). You'll have to check that out.

[ngokfei]

Hey Matt

Was just given your book but haven't read it yet.

From my sister-inlaw's description "its full of BS and porn".

COOL!!!

Don't know what she's talking about. Seems like she had bought it for my 10 year old Nephew who is a Shaolin Nut.

can't wait to settle down on the couch.......

[boshea]

Hey Matt

Was just given your book but haven't read it yet.

From my sister-inlaw's description "its full of BS and porn".

COOL!!!

Don't know what she's talking about. Seems like she had bought it for my 10 year old Nephew who is a Shaolin Nut.

can't wait to settle down on the couch.......

LOL, that's pretty funny. Your sister-in-law should probably stick to Mark Saltzman's books for your 10 your old nephew.

Matt Polly's book is very blunt and honest. Some people may think that some of the things he says are rude or disrespectful; he is definitely not "PC". But I don't think he is disrespectful. He just doesn't sugar coat anything, including himself. I think if you are an adult and you have a good sense of humor, you will like it. It s a very funny book.

[ngokfei]

well I just flipped through the book a bit and I get what you are saying.

I can presume from alot of his "revelations" that he is not well received at Shaolin well these days.

Correction, this would be so if he gave copies of this book to those individuals he made the un flattering comments about.

Seems like alot of dirty laundry being aired.

What's this about sex in a bathroom

[sun dragon]

sun dragon, Matt led two tours to Shaolin Temple in '95 & '96. I'm proud to say I survived both of them. He touched on it in my article The Shaolin Avant Garde: Three New Books Bring Fresh Perspectives on Shaolin Temple in our Jan Feb 007 issue (the Shaolin Special). You'll have to check that out.

Could not bring up the article GeneChing. How long was the shaolin tour? Did you study at the temple? How many classes did you get?
Is he planing on doing another shaolin tour?

[GeneChing]

You have to buy the back issue.

Matt is not planning to lead another tour to Shaolin. If you want read about my experience at Shaolin, I've written extensively about it through out our back issues, here on the forum and in the e-zine. I even made a DVD. Here's a good starting place - Shaolin Trips - Episode One: Open Two Doors.

[Blacktiger]

Am heading to Shaolin in 2 weeks as well as a few other spots on a bit of a kung fu fest and picked up Matt's book as a nice little teaser to my trip.

Love the way he writes - honest and funny

[boshea]

Am heading to Shaolin in 2 weeks as well as a few other spots on a bit of a kung fu fest and picked up Matt's book as a nice little teaser to my trip.

Love the way he writes - honest and funny

Awesome. Is something going on in Shaolin at that time? In early September 2001 I went to Shaolin for the International festival, which I had heard is held every two years. A quick search online doesn't turn up any information on it though. Is that going to be happening this September, and are you going?

Have a good trip.

[Blacktiger]

Not sure about any festivals that may be on.

Having said this our master is known for throwing students into random demos with 5 mins notice so who knows.

My master is taking a small group of us up, one of his students runs the wushu guan or something and we will be in his hands.

This will make things alot easier for us Shaolin virgins