American Shaolin

American Shaolin chronicles the two-year journey of Matthew Polly, an American student who traveled to China in 1992 to train at the Shaolin Temple. Motivated by a childhood fascination with martial arts and a desire to challenge his own perceived physical and mental limitations, Polly became the first Westerner to study traditional kung fu at the historic site. His narrative blends memoir with cultural observation, capturing the stark realities of monastic training and the transition of the temple into a site of tourism and commercialization.

The book is widely noted for its accessible, humorous, and self-deprecating tone, which distinguishes it from more traditional or academic works on martial arts. Upon its 2007 release, it was well-received by critics and readers alike for its vivid depiction of the rigorous, often grueling lifestyle of the Shaolin monks. Polly’s work serves as both a documentation of a unique personal experience and a reflection on the broader cross-cultural dialogue surrounding Chinese martial arts in the late 20th century.