The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing by Ken Cohen Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
Book Review: Interesting in some areas, apallingly inaccurate in others
Summary: 3 Stars
"The Way of QiGong" attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of qi gong, from its history to its applications in healing and improved sexual vigor. Other reviewers have done an adequate job of cataloging the book's strengths and shortcomings, so I'll touch on the one aspect that I haven't seen mentioned: the section on diet and nutrition.
The author does himself a great disservice by including the chapter "Dao and Diet", as it lowers the overall quality of the book substantially. The chapter is especially dangerous because it intersperses sound nutritional advice - try to eat local foods, try to eat organic foods - among absolutely terrible advice.
The first clue that the author has ventured outside of his area of expertise is when he references Barry Sears and endorses Sears' dietary recommendations. Sears is more of a snake-oil salesman than anything else; his work has never appeared in a peer-reviewed journal and has been widely discredited. (For a thorough indictment of Sears, and some actual valid nutritional advice, check out "The Food Revolution".)
The author then goes on to suggest that the reader take plenty of vitamin supplements and should strive to receive 30% of their calories in the form of protein. This is simply horrible, horrible advice. You don't need that much protein, and you're raising the likelihood of contracting a number of diseases if you structure your diet around these recommendations. For some statistics on the correlation between high protein consumption and cancer rates (as well as other diseases), check out "The China Study". (If you have a genuine interest in your health, and how food affects it, both of the books I mentioned are worth reading.)
Long story short: the book is worth checking out if you're new to qi gong, but disregard the author's stint as an armchair nutritionist.
Book Review: The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing
Summary: 5 Stars
Ken Cohen's book is a very complete and illustrative book on the
subject. I would almost put it in the category of a college text book on the subject of Qigong. He is as qualified to write and teach about the subject as anyone out there. A must for anyone's reference library on Qigong. It is an important work that will stand the test of time. I had read a library copy, bought a copy in the past and gave it away. This copy is, again, for my own my reference collection.
Book Review: Sensetive treatement
Summary: 5 Stars
A sensitive and comprehensive treatment of Chi Gung that describes the full depth and breadth of the energy science as it applies in a holistic context. This is not a Betty Crocker how-to recipie for learning a lifelong path in three easy lessons. If you want to o deep and understand the underlying principles of energy science from one who has truly explored it in his sincere apprentice, research and practice, you can't do better than Cohen's book. Book Review: A Classic.
Summary: 5 Stars
If only I kept track of the library fines I racked up keeping this tome past the due date. Fortunately, at some point, I realized that it might be time to buy a copy instead of rent one. This thing goes next to my dictionaries and "The Tai Chi Classics" on my bookshelf, among the most well-thumbed volumes. What an easy, pleasurable read it is.
Basically, Cohen's book serves as a great way for the neophyte Qigong practicioner to get his or her feet wet in the internal arts, so if you're new to this, just relax and dive in. And if you consider yourself an advanced student, treat "The Way of Qigong" as one of your reference books.
Book Review: If you only buy one Qigong book, make it this one
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very well written qigong book, packed with information and for a meager price. Ken Cohen's writing style is enjoyable, and there is so much information in this book that I find myself picking it up from time to time to re-read parts of it. Very well done. The only negative I can think of is that it would've been nice to have some meridian/accupoint charts included in the text.