American Shaolin

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

By: Matthew Polly

Narrated by: George Newbern

Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American's quest to become a kung fu master at China's legendary Shaolin Temple.

Growing up a 90-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young 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. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism.

Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he had seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms - some even practicing the "iron kung fu" discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible-even the crotch. As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.

Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man's journey into the ancient art of kung fu - and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.

©2018 Matthew Polly (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Not just a great story

A fun and funny story that is as much about human interaction as it is about kung fu. One of the greatest takeaways is that is delivers a good about of information about Chinese social culture through a good story and someone learning their way through it.

Unique account of an American in Shaolin.

The Narrator is impecable in explaining the visits that Mathew Poly had ln Shaolin's Henan Province, and other parts of mainland China.

Well written and whole book was interesting

Matthew Polly experience's in China was a pleasure to listen . His Experience's as a student of Shaolin and general Chinese Culture was fascinating

INCREDIBLE

What a wonderful book. Once I started , I could not stop. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Great book ,American Shaolin Rocks!

This is one of the best books,on the subject with a very different style,it is
Very revealing,very funny it is a book for both martial artist and non martial artist alike,this is a fun ride .Matt Polly is the man!