Fighting Patterns of Kuntao and Silat: Chinese Indonesian Combat Arts

There is a distinct dearth of books on Liu Seong Gung Fu in general and Liu Seong Kuntao in particular. While there are a few, the art of Willem Reeders remains elusive and, for the most part, available only through in-person instruction from schools scattered around the country. Reeders first came to the East Coast of the United States before migrating West, and as a result there remain tiny colonies of his system throughout New York State (where I first trained with a student of a student of Reeders. Chris Derbaum very helpfully includes in his text small portions of the history, timeline, and lineage that contribute to Reeders' legacy. There is also a very helpful section on how to train the signature "whip" strike that characterizes the system. This, and the pieces of lore from the system that Chris shares, are what drew me to read this book.This is not, however, a textbook of technique. Most of the book is devoted, as the name implies, to the all-important footwork of Kuntao. This is very helpful if you know what to make of it; students of Liu Seong systems and offshoots will find it very interesting and possibly helpful. This is foundational material and as exhaustive a book on footwork and movement patterns as any I've seen compiled.You will not learn to "do Liu Seong" from this book, nor should you try. You, will however, gain great insight into it from reading this text if you are not a student of the art. If you *are* a student in a Liu Seong lineage, you too will find this book worthy of your time and contemplation, although you will have also the tools required to apply what you are reading. Regardless of your motivation, the book is worth reading and has been nicely put together, with pride and attention to detail.

This book seems like ,it's written for the students already involved with the curriculum . You will not Learn much from this book especially if your not familiar with kuntao . I have bought kuntao DVDs and taken a seminar or two with kuntao inspired moves ,and still had trouble following the steps in this book. As for the author Chris derbaum and the other instructors they are credible as he'll , if they a ever consider doing a seminar in the NYC area and I find out about it I'm there . These guys are the real deal, no joke. I'm sure half of the reviewers here who have purchased this book have seen them on Y.T , if you haven't do your self a favor and you'll see what I'm talking about. Bad ass. Conclusion , nice photos of students couple of nice stories not much insight or history that I hoped for . Beautiful art though .

I've heard nothing but good things about this system. I fully expected to like this book. I wanted to like this book. Sadly, having purchased it, I just can't find anything good to say about it. It's a large book, but 45 pages on general intro to the system (purely historical, not basics of the style), 20 pages on illustrating things as simple as putting one foot in front of the other and how to sidestep (via line and footprint diagrams) - both sides illustrated for clarity. Snow we're 75 pages in and none the wiser regarding the promised footwork and devastating techniques (taken, of course, with a grain of salt). There are then some 50 pages illustrated of triangle an box stepping - and all possible combinations of each. None of this groundbreaking to anyone with solid martial arts experience, at best a nice review. Oh, but wait! Now it gets interesting: 9 pages of the same patterns showing an attacker in the middle of the diagram, with green arrows showing the possible steps for particular techniques, repeated with minor variations for left or foot and inside or outside parry. Sigh. Then there are the promised illustration of how this applies to the upper body. Six whole pages that really show basic knife targets and a sample of how to strike with the knife while using a basic footwork pattern. This takes us to page 173, where we encounter more filler. Over 30 pages of instructor bios and group shots from classes and seminars. So, of that promised 140 pages of footwork patterns, only about 50 are really anything beyond simple stepping/walking and only 9 are really geared toward application. If you practice the system, great, probably a handy reference. If you want to learn anything useful about the system, you're out of luck.

Some people were upset about all the footwork patterns but that is the title of the book. A little bit of info on stances and transitions would have made it five stars.

It’s nearly impossible to find this type of information, especially publicly available. My father trained under Liu Seong for close to 20 years, so he knows the system. When I showed him this book, he not only verified the authenticity of the methods, but even welled up looking at the pictures of his old Master. I am grateful not only for the contents, but also for the priceless experience with my father.

I wanted a great deal to like this book....but I did not. There was a great deal of redundant information shared in the book specifically regarding the history and lineage. I purchased the ebook and it was at times difficult to track/read and the layout was poor. I have the utmost respect for the author. However, I would have liked to have seen an additional edit and an more historical information. I would not recommend this book to anyone outside this specific system of kuntao/silat.

Solid, step by step introduction to this secretive Martial Art. Shows footwork patterns in diagrams, talks about the history of the art and some of the key founds contributors. Written in an easy to read structure. Enjoyed reading about how they develop power in their strikes. There are also plenty of photos too showing movement and documenting their seminars. This is a solid addition to my library and compliments grappling styles. Would highly recommend!

I've always had wrong-footing problems or simply unbalanced when doing complex moves. This book has been great in showing me how to do it properly!

Some good stuff in here, but a lot of filler that is not needed. It is interesting, but not needed. The books title is Fighting Patterns not "A history of Martial Culture in S.E Asia and Indonesia".

Book s like marketing for kuntao, and has nothing to do with silat. A few basic things are explained in a trivial matter, not worth buying, you won't be able to get any valuable input from this book (well except breaking boards with backhand strikes...)The only reason this book even has this many pages, is that it is written in huge letters...

This will make you discover the magic power of the fighting patterns used into the Ancient Chino-Indonesian warrior artsit show correct the lines , motion , angles to be really effective.

J'ai beaucoup apprécié la partie sur les déplacements (footwork).Un trés bon livre,facile d'accés meme pour un petit niveau anglais.