Chinese Martial Arts
From Antiquity to the Twenty-First Century

In the global world of the twenty-first century, martial arts are practised for self-defense and sporting purposes only. However, for thousands of years, they were a central feature of military practice in China and essential for the smooth functioning of society. This book, which opens with an intriguing account of the very first female martial artist, charts the history of combat and fighting techniques in China from the Bronze Age to the present. This broad panorama affords fascinating glimpses into the transformation of martial skills, techniques and weaponry against the background of Chinese history, the rise and fall of empires, their governments and their armies. Quotations from literature and poetry, and the stories of individual warriors, infuse the narrative, offering personal reflections on prowess in the battlefield and techniques of engagement. This is an engaging and readable introduction to the authentic history of Chinese martial arts.

Reviews & endorsements

'… [T]he author has succeeded in contributing an erudite, generous, and engaging text, one that critiques and engages in the best spirit of faithful scholarship and invites the same … A reader comes away from reading Ralston having earned a great deal not only about Christianity and Islam and the challenge of law and politics in the two traditions, but also about the need and potential for dialogical growth in the face of serious challenges confronting both religions.' Ovamir Anjum, Islamochristiana

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Product details

• Date Published: February 2012
• format: Hardback
• isbn: 9780521878814
• length: 282 pages

• dimensions: 235 x 160 x 20 mm
• weight: 0.51kg
• contains: 26 b/w illus.
• availability: Available