The Taijiquan Classics: A Martial Artist's Translation by Scott M. Rodell - Book Review
An amazing book by an expert well versed in Chinese Martial
Arts, Chinese Internal Martial Arts (IMA) and Chinese history and culture. The
depth of his 40+ years of practical experience in Taiji Quan brings these
classic texts to life and gives them a context that make them both accessible
and practical to the beginner or the advanced practitioner of any style of Taiji
Quan.
I appreciated the candid outline of his translation process.
The time and care Mr. Rodell took during the process reaffirmed my confidence
in the work. The layout of the book is useful as well, he leaves the classical
Chinese, the pinyin and the English translation on the page together. I like
that because it gives me the opportunity to see the character (I don’t speak
Chinese) and look at the tone in Pinyin as well as see the translated meaning
in English.
The classics are enigmatic guidelines, sometimes couched in
flowery language, designed to help practitioners to remember various important
points of practice. Without guidance to elucidate them they become less useful
and accessible to the lay practitioner. Mr. Rodell’s commentary is where this
translation shines. His commentary is clear, concise and accessible even to the
practitioner with a basic level of Taiji skill and vocabulary.
This book is a must for any Taiji practitioner. The content
and execution make this book unique among translations of the Taiji classics.
I am a 20+ year practitioner and teacher of Xingyi Quan,
Bagua Zhang and Tai Chi Quan
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