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 8
- Type: Biography with a life lesson at the end of each chapter
- Formats: Kindle and paperback (coming soon)
- Best for: Wing Chun students of any lineage, Bruce Lee admirers, readers who want lessons for life, and study groups
- Not for: Readers looking for confirmed fight records; the book deliberately does not repeat fight counts as fact
What the book covers
Part One, A Young Man in Hong Kong (Chapters 1–11), covers his birth in Hong Kong in 1935, his family’s roots in Shunde, his education, the Japanese occupation, his early Western boxing and Wu-style Tai Chi, and how he became Ip Man’s student in 1953 or early 1954. Part Two, The King of Talking Hands (12–23), explains beimo challenge matches and the nickname Gong Sau Wong, why the fight numbers cannot be confirmed, his documented loss in Taiwan in 1957, and his years as a senior student at Ip Man’s school. Part Three, The Teacher (24–35), follows his part in training the teenage Bruce Lee, Lee’s 1970 letter, the Game of Death screen test, his first formal school in Yau Ma Tei in 1969, the Ving Tsun Athletic Association, teaching students from Germany and Australia, the 1996 Beijing course and his death on January 28, 1997. Part Four, The Philosophy (36–46), covers the Science of Ving Tsun, the centreline, simplicity, chi sau, pressure testing and responsibility. Part Five, Legend and Legacy (47–56), looks at his screen portrayals including Ip Man 2, corrects common myths, and discusses his students and the many branches of the Ip Man family. The book closes with a conclusion, a timeline, recommended reading and viewing, a glossary and a group guide.
Who should read it
- Wing Chun students in any lineage who want to know the generation that trained in Ip Man’s school in the 1950s.
- Bruce Lee admirers curious about his Wing Chun training and his friendship with Wong Shun Leung.
- Readers new to martial arts since the book assumes no background and opens with a short introduction to Wing Chun.
- Book clubs, classes and teams who can use the built-in group guide, ground rules and discussion questions.
How to use it
Read one part at a time; each of the five parts makes a natural session. Every chapter ends with “The Lesson,” a short takeaway for everyday life, and every part ends with a workbook of reflection questions and a notes prompt. Groups can follow the guide at the back, which suggests meeting weekly, choosing one or two lessons to focus on, and letting members share from the workbooks what they feel comfortable sharing. The author draws mainly on encyclopedia entries, accounts published by schools that carry his teaching, interviews with his students and the writings of martial arts historians, and she marks where sources differ. It is a life story and a set of lessons; for the art itself, the book recommends a class with a qualified Wing Chun teacher.
A short excerpt
“His real achievement was not a record of wins. It was an approach to Wing Chun built on honesty: test what you believe, keep what works, understand why it works, and teach it clearly.”
Where to get it
Wong Shun Leung: The King of Talking Hands is coming soon to Amazon in Kindle and paperback. In the meantime, see Kendra’s other books on her Amazon author page or on Goodreads under Kendra Mahon, and 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 and the Masters of Kung Fu series.
Frequently asked questions
Who wrote Wong Shun Leung: The King of Talking Hands?
Sifu Kendra Mahon, known as Kung Fu Kendra, wrote it as Book 8 of Masters of Kung Fu. She teaches Traditional Wing Chun as it was passed down to her by Master Brian Lewadny, who learned it from Grandmaster William Cheung.
Is it available yet?
It is coming soon to Amazon in Kindle and paperback.
What does Gong Sau Wong mean?
Gong Sau Wong means "King of Talking Hands." Gong sau was Cantonese martial arts slang for exchanging techniques with another martial artist, and others gave him the nickname because of his reputation in challenge matches.
Was Wong Shun Leung Ip Man’s first student?
No. Ip Man had been teaching in Hong Kong for several years before he arrived, and earlier students such as Leung Sheung were already training; the idea comes partly from the film Ip Man 2.