Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, this coming-of-age tale explores one young Americans quest to become a kung fu master at Chinas legendary Shaolin Temple.
This message has been edited by chapteraday on May 12, 2008 1:56 PM This message has been edited by chapteraday on May 3, 2008 11:25 AM
Welcome to the preview of my book, American Shaolin. I hope you enjoy reading with me each day and I look forward to any comments or questions you may have.
Did you prepare for life in China before you decided to immerse yourself? Did you have some knowledge of Chinese language and culture? Were you familiar with Mark Salzman's book/film Iron and Silk? I'm curious to know what inspired you to make such a radical departure from your East Coast, Ivy League life. Thanks!
Dear Pam,
Thank you for your wonderful questions and for helping to get this forum off to a good start.
Yes, I did make some preparations for my trip to China. I had the equivalent of four years study of the Chinese language, which is like being about a twelve-year-old Chinese kid, and I had trained for three years in various martial art, which the monks upon seeing me the first day said, "It looks more like three weeks." That preparation, however, was crucial, because rural China in the '90s was a very difficult place for a foreigner to live all by his lonesome. I doubt I would have survived very long without my previous training.
I was also a East Asian Religious Studies major at Princeton, which gave me the excuse I needed to leave and go to Shaolin. My official story was that I was going to research the Temple for my senior thesis. The plan was for one year abroad, but I quickly realized it would take at least two years to grasp such a unique culture. You could say that my book is really an update of my senior thesis written 15 years late and without the academic jargon.
I had read Mark Salzman's "Iron & Silk." In fact, it is what gave me the inspiration to go. I could never have imagined a trip like this was even possible without his book. In many ways, I think of "American Shaolin" as a follow-up to his ground breaking travelogue.
Yesterday I listened to your NPR interview online and enjoyed your expanded discussion of American Shaolin. You made the pressures to commercialize and market the Shaolin style very evident. I will definitely follow up by reading your book in full.
American Shaolin is a fascinating look into a closed world
April 28 2008, 10:05 AM
I recently finished reading American Shaolin, and was fascinated. This is a closed world into which Americans are not generally welcome; I am jealous of Mr. Polly's success at penetrating this society.
The book is timely, in that it gives us some insight into modern China and its relationship with its own people. I felt sorry for all Chinese people in their attempts to embrace capitalism and free market economics while remaining a totalitarian state.
It is also funny; the challenge match scene is a great opener, but Polly recounts many other amusing vignettes, most especially in his examples of being required to "eat bitter."
Paul,
Thank you so much for your kind words about my book. I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it.
This part of China was and is a difficult place to penetrate and understand. I am grateful to the monks for their generosity and for providing me with such wonderful and amusing stories, although I could have done with slightly less bitterness.
It is always interesting how things happen. I was reading Bruce Lee's book, The Tao of Gung Fu, and came across his discription of Iron Forearm Gung Fu. From his description, it would seem that he did not practice this form, but his description makes it sound as though I could do it. He states:
"According to the teachers of this system, it is very easy to master. Simply find a pole or column and begin hitting it with your forearm very lightly. Do this every day; hitting it with all parts of your forearm--front, back, and sides. Gradually increase your striking force. Eventually you should venture outside and find a tree to practice on. This tree should have lumpy bark on it. Do this for one year. After one year, you should look to train on very smooth rocks. Continue practicing on the rocks until you can break them with your forearm. When you can do this, your forearm will be as strong as iron." (1997, pp. 151-152).
Would you agree with Mr. Lee on this training system?
Dear Mr. Polly
I have read your book and was so favorably impressed by your insights into Chinese culture as well as your experiences in Kung Fu that I purchased the book as a gift for my 20-something grandson who is working on his black belt in Kung Fu in a Shaolin temple in Florida. It has become a favorite of his also.
Keep up the good work.
Dear Dorothy,
Thank you so much for your kind note. And thank you for sending a copy to your grandson!
Ever since, "American Shaolin" won two American Library Awards, I've found that librarians have been its best readers and supporters. I greatly appreciate it. And I wish your grandson all the best with his training. Working towards a black belt is a great accomplishment!
I drive myself insane with how words are supposed to be pronounced that I can't concentrate on what I'm reading, but rather if I'm pronouncing the words properly. With that said, how do you pronounce Shaolin?
I have realized over the past year since I have signed up to this readers club, that I enjoy very much the non-fiction books the best. I am captivated with only the two days reading and look forward to checking your book out at my library. Thank you for taking time to respond to us all!
A very good question. Every radio interview I had got it slightly wrong. I should have put the answer in the front of the book.
It is two syllables put together: "Shao" and "lin". "Shao" seems to be the harder of the two. You pronounce it "sh" + "ow" as in I just stubbed my toe "owww"! And "lin" is pronounced like the first half of "Linda."
Today's read mentioned height as a positive asset. My husband agrees. He is not tall, and when sparring finds himself at an immediate disadvantage when his opponent is tall.
I am enjoying this week's book sort of and I already have a copy but it also makes me a bit uneasy. The author is such a showboat; every scene seems to be set up to make him look smart and accomplished in a backhanded way even as he insists how inadequate he is. I guess I believe that there is a certain humility involved in Zen or Chan buddhism. I like it but I don't love it. Tonally all wrong. A better book is an older masterpiece: Nine Headed Dragon River by Peter Matthiessen.
Hi Matt. Just wanted to tell you I am really enjoying your book. I definitely plan on getting it out of the library and finishing it, or purchasing it if my library doesn't have it. My son, also a Matthew, was always small and was constantly picked on. Since he wasn't interested in soccer when he was little, we signed him up for Shotokan Karate and he really took to it. It was a great confidence booster and he was able to stand up for himself whenever anyone tried to push him around. I can identify with your feeling afraid when picked on because of what my son went through. Can't wait to read the rest of your book! Have a nice weekend.
