This special Via Media anthology is a collection of Henning’s superb articles, including one he co-wrote with Marnix Wells, on Chinese martial traditions. In the chapters included here, you’ll find a strong historic base for what the martial arts meant in old China and how they changed over the centuries. In order to understand martial arts as they were evolving over dynastic periods, it is necessary to look at the political and social settings, technology, and even geography and linguistics. When it comes to research exemplifying Via Media standards, Henning presents clear facts and accurate conclusions. At the same time, he wisely states what is open to debate and requires further research. Reading this Via Media title will no doubt benefit the serious scholar of Chinese martial arts, and hopefully others will likewise benefit by patiently reading each chapter to broaden their understanding of the rich martial culture of China.