For over thirty years I’ve been collecting books, journals and footage on
taijiquan and related subjects. The library, which is now housed in Berlin, Germany, contains a good many
treasures and is in need of expansion and organization.
Recently the process of cataloging has begun, with over 500 hundred
English titles having now been inventoried.
Uses for the library While the library exists primarily as a research resource for my own writing, individuals interested in using the library for other projects are welcome to
contact me to make arrangements. A list of most book items in the library can be found here. We're currently working to include a comprehensive journal and DVD section as well. You can keep up-to-date with
library news as developments take place.
Related subjects Taijiquan and the internal arts are the main
focus of the collection with over a thousand
books and journals on these subjects in English, Chinese and other languages. Related
subjects include: other internal and external martial arts;
qigong(and kindred health practices), Chinese history, philosophy and folk
literature; daoism and the
yijing.
SMIAL Wish List A
wish-list of needed materials with web-links to purchase sites gives potential donors to the library a good sense of what we're looking for. Direct donations of books, DVDs and other items searching for materials creatively and sending them to the library directly. Duplicates will be made available for resale on the
SamStore with proceeds going to the library.
Donations Donors of either library materials or the funds to obtain them, are needed in order to upgrade and round out the selection. Over the years several individuals have provided me with key research materials that have allowed my work to grow and deepen, benefiting the practice of students around the world. Notable examples have included: my first instructor
Brien Gallagher who donated his entire
taijiquan and
judo collections, my teacher
Dr. Yang Jwing Ming who has given me many YMAA titles and my long-time student and colleague
Ed Cooper who has donated several out-of-print books that are now extremely difficult to find.
Occasionally people decide to divest themselves of their whole taiji
library. In such cases I would like to be contacted and make
arrangements for acquisition. One might ask oneself the question,
‘would this book do more good sitting on my shelf or as part of
Sam’s library?' As an independent researcher I lack the resources of an
institute supported professor and therefore greatly value the
contributions of individual students, supporters and associates.
Financial contributions toward the library are
also gratefully received and I am offering a deal for certain donation
amounts.
Financial donations can made through PayPal via the 'donate' button below. Donor names are
listed here or one may remain anonymous if preferred.
Duplicates It is not a problem if the library winds up with duplicates of some titles. These can be offered for resale on the website as another way to help raise funds for the project.
The library can also use donations of