Written by the author: This guide is written by Sifu Kendra Mahon (Kung Fu Kendra), who wrote this book. It describes what the book covers and who it suits. It is not an independent review.
At a glance
- Series: The Way of Wing Chun, Book 3
- Length: About 54 pages
- Formats: Kindle and paperback
- Best for: Practitioners of any lineage, film fans and general readers
- Not for: Readers wanting a footnoted academic biography or technique instruction
What the book covers
Fourteen chapters in four parts. Part One covers Ip Man’s birth in Foshan in 1893, his training under Chan Wah-shun and Ng Chung-sok, his defeat by and study with Leung Bik in Hong Kong, and his decades as a Foshan policeman who taught privately. Part Two covers the war with Japan and his departure from Foshan in 1949. Part Three follows his teaching in Hong Kong from 1950, his students, his method, his flaws and the founding of the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in 1967. Part Four covers the 1972 footage, his death, the many branches of his lineage and the gap between the films and the record. Each chapter ends with a short reflection on what that part of his life teaches. A timeline and a note on sources are included.
Who should read it
- Wing Chun students who want to know the person at the root of most lineages practised today.
- Fans of the Ip Man films who want to separate the drama from the history.
- Teachers, for the chapters on his method and on teaching each student as they are.
- General readers interested in twentieth-century China and Hong Kong through one life.
How to use it
Read it as a narrative first. Afterward, the timeline and the chapter on the films are handy references when questions about Ip Man come up in class or online. The author flags where accounts conflict and where the Traditional Wing Chun view differs from other branches, so readers from any lineage can see which statements are contested. The note on sources lists further reading, including an account by Ip Man’s second son.
A short excerpt
“We are all, in the end, the students of an old man who arrived in Hong Kong with nothing and decided to teach.”
Where to get it
The Life of Ip Man: The Quiet Master Who Gave Wing Chun to the World is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback: Kindle and paperback. Find it on Goodreads under Kung Fu Kendra and Kendra Mahon, or read what students say on the Kung Fu Kendra reviews page. For other Wing Chun books, see our guide to Wing Chun books.
About the author
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, has trained since 2005 and holds Master level (purple sash). She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung. She is the author of 13 books and counting, including the ten-book The Way of Wing Chun series.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Life of Ip Man based on the films?
No. It is based on accounts from his family and students, published histories and biographies, and a chapter explains where the films and the real life part ways.
Does the book cover his flaws?
Yes. One chapter discusses what is widely reported, including opium use, without exaggeration or omission, and explains why the author chose to include it.
Who wrote The Life of Ip Man?
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra. She has trained since 2005, holds Master level (purple sash), and teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung.
Where can I buy The Life of Ip Man?
On Amazon in Kindle and paperback. It is Book 3 of The Way of Wing Chun, and the books can be read in any order.