I live in the UK, and have been training in San Soo for a little while (I've been away in graduate school so have not been able to train much lately).
I think I have most of the published material on san soo (for example both of the Ron Gatewood books, Greg Jones, every issue of the san soo journal, and anything I could find with a significant san soo content).
One thing I have felt reading the material is that there tends to be a focus on the philosophy of san soo (what makes it different from other arts), the principles for correct technique, or coverage of some lessons, and brief notes on Jimmy Woo.
This is fine as far as it goes, but I do feel that there is little attempt to make a comprehensive study of the art. The two books I have in mind as examples of this are Gene LeBell's Grapling Encyclopaedia and Marc Tedeschi's Hapkido book. Gene LeBell's book is nearly 600 pages long and is pretty comprehensive.
Similarly, the Tedeschi book is over 1100 pages long, gives a detailed history of the art, critically assesses the different versions of this history, explains the principles of the art in depth. Furthermore, Tedeschi attempts to include every single hapkido technique and and covers changes in the art over time.
My concern is that as things stand there is a reliance on an oral tradition in san soo, which makes the history subject to people's revisionism, or as people get older the art might lost over time. I am not looking for an "official" version, but one which would objectively assess the evidence for both the history and application of the art, and a comprehensive one which would retain as much as is known (or believed) of san soo for posterity.

I have read that there were two books brought over from China on San Soo, but that their authenticity was in doubt. Is this true?

I've got a load of san soo materials to unload. They're for sale if you want them. If interested I'll send a list.

For history the best sources of info are Dan Hoffman and Tim Cartmell. All the other "historians" seem to trade in san soo fantasy.

Willa Ford, I'm interested. Please send me a list via PM.

I'm in the middle of movinhg and can't get to them for a month. Can you wait?

310/804-4476

yes, no problem.

Willard Ford, I am also interested in procuring additional San Soo literature and information. Could you send me a list of your material via email?

jpraider47@yahoo.com
310/951-9210

Thanks!

If you have San Soo materials left, I would also be interested in seeing a list. The emphasis in my area is Wing Chun, but I like to expand my repetoire and make comparisons.

Books are great for studying everything about the art- BUT if you want to learn an art you MUST STUDY WITH A COMPETENT INSTRUCTOR. As for published material: you wont find alot. The best book ever written on San Soo was Frank Woolsey's "Real Kung Fu" (AKA the red book). A private collector purchased all the remaining copies- so best of luck trying to find anything on it. As far as the San Soo books put out by Bill Hulsey (San soo journal etc...) everything that really counts has been left out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its whats going on between each foto that is the most important (I.E. continuous circular coverage etc...). I can read all the books I want on cooking food but until I spend hours behind the stove I CANNOT KNOW THE SUBTLties of the flame.

the private collector must be you jack***.
sorry my key got stuck.
"must study with a competent instructor"
bull ••••!!!
it's like saying that the only way to learn how
to cook it to date martha stewart!
ps.who knows what's best for you better than you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if your sifu can do back spinning kick,can you
no!do what you can,but do it right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!