David Peterson - Look Beyond the Pointing Finger: The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung, (2nd edition)

The Chinese martial art of Wing Chun Gung-fu is one of the most popular combat systems being practiced today. The late Grandmaster of the art, Yip Man - who first brought Wing Chun to Hong Kong in 1949 - and his famous student, the late Bruce Lee, are well-known exponents of the system. Lesser known outside of Hong Kong, but equally deserving of recognition for his excellence as a fighter and teacher, is the late Wing Chun master, Sifu Wong Shun Leung.

In this volume, the first of its kind in the English language, author David Peterson, student of Sifu Wong and prolific writer on the "WSL Way" in many international publications, presents the personal wisdom of one of the last great warriors of the 20th Century.

Profusely illustrated with many photographs exclusive to the author, Look Beyond the Pointing Finger: The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung is a book from which martial artists of any system will gain both inspiration and a greater insight into the development of their own personal protection skills.

Now presented in an Expanded 2^nd Edition with 218 Pages, containing even more information!

"From the perspective of a museum curator, I know the power of historical communications. I can think of no-one better qualified and prepared [than the author] to accurately prepare history's first biography of Wong Chun Leung"
- Sifu Benny Meng, Curator, Ving Tsun Museum

"More that any of Wong's other students, David Peterson has dedicated himself to mastering, preserving and promotion the Wing Chun of Wong Shun Leung. The latest evidence of this is the fine volume you hold in your hands."
- Bey Logan, Esq., former editor of Combat and Impact magazines

"I urge people who are interested in Wong as a teacher, fighter and philosopher to buy and read this fine book."
- Sifu Jesse Glover, first student of the late Bruce Lee

"Full marks to my good friend and teacher, David Peterson, for producing this fascinating and inspiring book. It is truly a guide to personal reflection. I respectfully ask all Wing Chun enthusiasts, irrespective of their lineage, to let go of any judgments and prejudices they may hold, and to look toward and reflect on the universal truths that Sifu is pointing to... if they can do that, they will be amazed at the insights that they will generate for themselves and for Wing Chun."
- Rolf Clausnitzer, co-author of the first English language book on Wing Chun Gung-fu

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Review by: Manuel Bustos, Jr.

“Look at the Pointing Finger – The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung” is an expanded second edition of Sifu Peterson’s monumental work on Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun (WSLWC). Of course it is well known that Sifu Wong was one of the handful of sifus that finished the entire Wing Chun system directly under Grandmaster Yip Man’s guidance and training. And of course Sifu Wong was actively teaching within Hong Kong while Yip Man was still alive and was undefeated in his quite numerous Biemo contests.

This book should not be approached with the idea that the Wing Chun system forms are presented to the reader. Rather this book means to investigate and then illuminate the guiding principles of WSLWC that Sifu Wong presented. These philosophies were shaped by Sifu Wong’s Biemo contests, constant analysis and refinement, as well as constant consultation with Yip Man. As such this book is not arranged in the standard presentation of the Wing Chun martial art system by a given Sifu. In order to properly convey Sifu Wong’s ideas Sifu Peterson has chosen to arrange the book in chapters that read like mini essays and previous interviews. Each chapter is a study on one of the various aspects of Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun.

Touching up a few topics presented within the book are Wing Chun’s scientific use of body position, Wing Chun’s unique kicking and of course removal of an excessive ideals in fighting. Central to Wong Shun Leung’s Wing Chun was that idea that Wing Chun is concept base rather than technique based. Essentially, Sifu Wong presented the “tools” of the system and the student was then free to utilize these tools at will rather than by rote response. Additionally, Sifu Wong’s Wing Chun stressed when possible an attack is to be met with an attack rather than a defense by the Wing Chun practitioner. Within the book Sifu Peterson dispels some ideas about Wing Chun such as that the elbow must always remain in a fixed position, sticky hands and Chi Sau.

The book reveals Wong Shun Leung “King of Talking with the Hands” to be a Wing Chun genius and yet humble, as well as a talented educator capable of instructing his students regardless of their level of experience, which is no easy feat. It is also pointed out that Sifu Wong had a significant impact on Bruce Lee, which most casual observers of Brue Lee might not have previously recognized (Sifu Wong did not speak English). Within this book one can see the seeds of many of Bruce Lee’s ideas. This is not suggest that Bruce Lee simply regurgitated ideas, but that Bruce was a dynamic student of Wong Shun Leung as well as Yip Man. Finally, the enormous impact Sifu Wong had upon Wing Chun is also detailed (Wong was invited by the Chinese to speak on Wing Chun in 1996). This distinctive presentation of Wong Shun Leung Wing Chun merits highest recommendation for any reader.