{"product_id":"american-shaolin-flying-kicks-buddhist-monks-and-the-legend-of-iron-crotch-an-odyssey-in-thene-w-china","title":"American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in Thene W China","description":"\u003cbody\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTitle: \u003c\/b\u003eAmerican Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in Thene W China\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor: \u003c\/b\u003eMatthew Polly\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN: \u003c\/b\u003e9781592403370\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/b\u003eAvery\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished: \u003c\/b\u003e2008\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding: \u003c\/b\u003ePaperback\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage: \u003c\/b\u003eEnglish\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition: \u003c\/b\u003eFirst Edition\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNumber of Pages: \u003c\/b\u003e400\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Note: \u003c\/b\u003eExcellent, unmarked copy with little wear and tight binding. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders.\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher Description: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe raucously funny story of one young American's quest to become the baddest dude on the planet (and possibly find inner peace along the way)\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Growing up a ninety-eight-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, 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 \u003ci\u003eKung Fu. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e American Shaolin is the story of the two years Matthew spent in China living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks. The Chinese term for tough training is \u003ci\u003echi ku\u003c\/i\u003e (\"eating bitter\"), and Matthew quickly learned to appreciate the phrase. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This is both the gripping story of Matthew's journey and an intimate portrait of the real lives of the Shaolin monks, who struggle to overcome rampant corruption and the restrictions of an authoritarian government. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, \u003ci\u003eAmerican Shaolin\u003c\/i\u003e is an unforgettable coming-of- age story of one man's journey into the ancient art of kungfu--and a poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.\u003c\/body\u003e","brand":"Avery","offers":[{"title":"American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in Thene W China | Matthew Polly | Paperback | 9781592403370 | Used: Like New | Back Stacks I 1790380","offer_id":68005337825432,"sku":"1790380","price":10.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0492\/1609\/4360\/files\/71HfF-cjpFL.jpg?v=1794705466","url":"https:\/\/roundaboutbookstore.com\/products\/american-shaolin-flying-kicks-buddhist-monks-and-the-legend-of-iron-crotch-an-odyssey-in-thene-w-china","provider":"Roundabout Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}