Chinese Swordsmanship 
the Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition
Thanks to his background as a widely respected martial artist, an avid student of Chinese history and culture, and an experienced collector of Chinese arms, Scott Rodell is able to bring a uniquely diverse and well informed perspective to the study of Chinese swordsmanship. The primary audience for this book will doubtless be taiji practitioners, who should welcome the author's thorough and clearly explained analysis of the use of the sword in the Yang family tradition. Far from simply being an instruction manual, however, the book presents this material within the broader historical context of the general development of the sword in China, and then traces the transition of the fighting styles from the battlefield to the martial arts arena. Because of its wealth of background information this book should appeal to anyone with a general interest in the history of the martial arts and their role in Chinese culture. The author's extensive experience in handling actual historical swords adds further depth, insight, and immediacy to his contention that the taiji jian can only be properly seen and treated as a weapon, and not merely as a martial arts accouterment. Scott Rodell's mastery of his subject and his great devotion to it are apparent on every page."
Overall, it is a fascinating book. Almost all martial arts at one point or other in the progression of time and domestication subordinate their combative aspects to those of form. An abstraction of results (be it the scoring “hit” in competitive scenarios, be it the dramatic effect in theatric demonstrations) comes to overlay the purpose and core of these arts. [Rodell's] book provides the rewind button that allows the martial arts scholar to take a step back and re- focus... away from the currently acceptable to the perennially valid."
A real contribution to the field."
Scott Rodell's book is not only a long-awaited introduction to the fencing techniques of the Yang Family taiji tradition, but is also an invaluable guide to advanced students as well. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exposition of the practical aspects of the art, along with a concise historical background. This well-organized and profusely-illustrated tome does a great deal to present taiji jian as an effective system of combat, in contrast to the “health spa version” of taiji practice which has unfortunately become common today, not only in the West but in the Chinese-speaking world as well. The sections dealing with the sword itself, and its role in Chinese culture, are also useful in dispelling the numerous misconceptions of this subject which have been the staple of various literary and cinematic genres for years. I give this book a most enthusiastic “thumbs up,” not only for the martial 1 arts practitioner, but for anyone wanting a better understanding of a sophisticated and enduring elements of China's traditional culture."
See a taped interview of Rodell which appeared on Estonia's popular “Fork” weekly television show in 2000.
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