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

by Polly, Matthew

• ISBN13: 9781592403370
• ISBN10: 1592403379
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-12-27
• Publisher: Gotham

Summary

The raucously funny story of one young American’s quest to become the baddest dude on the planet (and possibly find inner peace along the way) Growing up a ninety-eight-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, 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. American Shaolinis the story of the two years Matthew spent in China living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks. The Chinese term for tough training is chi ku(eating bitter”), and Matthew quickly learned to appreciate the phrase. This is both the gripping story of Matthew’s journey and an intimate portrait of the real lives of the Shaolin monks, who struggle to overcome rampant corruption and the restrictions of an authoritarian government. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolinis an unforgettable coming-of- age story of one man’s journey into the ancient art of kungfu—and a poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.

Author Biography

Matthew Polly is an award-winning travel writer for Slate. A Princeton University graduate and Rhodes scholar, his work has also appeared in Esquire, Playboy, and The Nation.

Table of Contents

Prologue	p. 1
Wanderer
The First Step	p. 13
Lost in Transplantation	p. 21
Sleeping Beauty	p. 31
Kungfu World	p. 43
Lights, Camera, Action	p. 55
A Coke and a Smile	p. 63
Defection	p. 69
Novice
Eating Bitter	p. 75
The Show Must Go On	p. 89
Chinese Medicine	p. 99
Roommates	p. 109
Shaolin's Champion	p. 123
The Sacred and the Profane	p. 135
Initiate
Kickboxing	p. 151
Media Matters	p. 163
Iron Forearm Boy	p. 169
Taiwan Tunes	p. 179
Playing Hands	p. 185
Crazy Negotiations	p. 193
Taking a Beating	p. 205
Apprentice
Happy Endings	p. 211
Iron Crotch Kungfu	p. 217
Getting Schooled	p. 233
The Sixth Race	p. 237
Dirty Jokes and Beer	p. 247
Pride and Penance	p. 255
Another American	p. 265
Disciple
Challenge Match	p. 275
Mistress Management	p. 287
Tournament	p. 301
No Problems	p. 325
The Western Spear	p. 335
Endings	p. 339
Epilogue: Shaolin Reunion	p. 345
Author's Note	p. 363
Acknowledgments	p. 365
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.