An American's Journey to the Shaolin Temple

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 175 pages
• Published by: Black Belt Communications January 1, 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0897501411
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0897501415
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 8.5 ounces

Book Description
Join Steve DeMasco as he shares the story of his ascension to 10-degree Shaolin kempo black belt and appointment as honorary ambassador to Chinas legendary Shaolin Temple. Rare techniques! Over 350 photos! A must for every Shaolin enthusiast!

Reader Reviews
I bought this book because I had read a bad opinion on amazon.com. I had read a previous article about Steve Demasco and his certification from the Abbott of the Shaolin temple. I was skeptical and I wanted to see for myself just how bad the book was. The book lived up to my low expectations when I first saw it. It's a typical Ohara cookie-cutter book. The pictures are full body shots that are taken from a distance, which prevents you from seeing details, especially in the self-defense techniques, and the layout is unimaginative and predictable. I also found it hard to follow the "Iron Wire" form, which played such a pivotal role in his success at the temple. But then I actually read the text. I was impressed with Mr. Demasco's sincerity. The little things that made him seem more real; like on the back cover where he lists his titles, there is a quote "These are titles I continue to earn." I particularly appreciated his retelling of his initial meeting with the Abbott of the Shaolin temple in ch.8. I was also struck by his honesty when he was reluctant to tell anyone about his certification. He was "certain that if this (certification) got out to martial artists, somehow they would find a way to discredit it." I'm an experienced martial artist (I am not affiliated in any way with Mr. Demasco's system) with more than 15 years in the arts as well as a school owner. I have seen many fads in the arts and was skeptical of Mr. Demascos. But I found the book worth reading and even entertaining on a very human level. It's a story of his journey, successes, and mistakes. One that I think is easily relatable. Although I would have appreciated some better technical pictures of his techniques, I feel it's a good addition to a martial artist's library. For it's human value, I gave it 4 stars. Comment | | (Report this)