The Year was 1972. President Nixon had just made his historic visit to China. The West was just beginning to discover such concepts as herbal medicine and acupuncture. And the television series, "Kung Fu" made its debut. Millions of viewers made this the number one rated show, and a worldwide Kung Fu craze resulted. The ripples are still being felt more than 30 years later. This influence has permeated almost every element of Western society. Today, almost everyone, regardless of national origin, has some martial arts knowledge. Men and women practice aerobic kickboxing at their local health spas to say in shape, Karate and Kung Fu studios abound, and the elderly can be seen going through their Tai Chi exercises in city parks every morning. Of the thousands of books on the subject, Kung Fu -- History, Philosophy and Technique stands alone as the "one that started it all. " In an era where the Chinese martial art was considered some mystical practice, shrouded in secrecy, this book did more than any other to explode the myths and, at the same time, bring the truth about Kung Fu to the public. And, more than three decades later, it remains the definitive volume on the ancient martial art of China. Book jacket.