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: Masters of Kung Fu, Book 2
- Type: Biography with life lessons and workbooks
- Formats: Kindle and paperback
- Best for: Southern kung fu students, film fans curious about the real man, and book groups
- Not for: Anyone looking for Hung Gar technique instruction
What the book covers
A short introduction to Hung Gar, followed by forty-nine short chapters in five parts. Part One covers his birth near Foshan in 1847, his training under his father Wong Kei-ying and Lam Fuk-sing, and the school he opened in Canton as a teenager. Part Two centres on Po Chi Lam, the clinic he opened in 1886, along with the lion dance, his students, his four marriages and the death of his son. Part Three follows his final years through the fall of the Qing, the destruction of Po Chi Lam in 1924 and his death in 1925. Part Four draws out the ideas his life represents, from martial virtue to the horse stance, and Part Five traces how he became a film legend. A timeline, a reading and viewing list and a glossary are included.
Who should read it
- Hung Gar students who want a clear account of the master behind their lineage stories.
- Wing Chun students curious about the neighbouring southern tradition and its ties to Foshan.
- Film fans who know the screen hero and want to know what is documented and what is legend.
- Teachers and book groups looking for discussion material on strength, healing and service.
How to use it
Read it a part at a time. Each chapter ends with a short lesson, each part ends with a workbook of reflection questions, and a section near the end explains how to use the book in a group. The chapters on myths and on how to read a legend are a good starting point for anyone sorting out film stories from history. It is a biography, not a training manual: forms such as Iron Wire should be learned with a qualified Hung Gar teacher.
A short excerpt
“It shows that the deepest strength of the martial arts lies not in defeating others but in helping them.”
Where to get it
Wong Fei-hung: The Healer Behind the Legend is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback: Kindle and paperback. Find it on Goodreads under 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 Wong Fei-hung: The Healer Behind the Legend a Hung Gar manual?
No. It is an independent biography based on publicly available sources, with a lesson at the end of each chapter. Hung Gar should be learned from a qualified teacher.
Why does a Wing Chun teacher write about Wong Fei-hung?
Wong Fei-hung practised Hung Gar, not Wing Chun, but he grew up near Foshan, the city where Ip Man was born, in the same southern martial culture. The book looks at the values the two arts share.
Who wrote Wong Fei-hung: The Healer Behind the Legend?
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 Wong Fei-hung: The Healer Behind the Legend?
On Amazon in Kindle and paperback. It is Book 2 of Masters of Kung Fu.