I was asked recently if I’m going to review Lou Reed’s book “The art of the straight line”, which, as you can see below, is his book about Tai Chi, released a few years after his death.
No. I’m not.
Lou was a practitioner of Chen style Tai Chi under Ren Guang-Yi. By all accounts he was quite the enthusiast. I had a quick look at a preview of the book and it looks to me like this isn’t really a complete book that he’s written. Instead, it’s a collection of old letters, scrappy notes and interviews with people who knew him about his love of Tai Chi.
But that wouldn’t be so bad if the writing was good, but it’s not. It’s meandering, scattered and the interviews are full of people talking about other people you’ve never heard of. I very quickly lost interest. It looks like it’s something for the serious Lou Reed fan, rather than the serious Tai Chi enthusiast.
Sorry Lou, but this is not my bag. I’d suggest a walk on the wild side instead.
Have you read it? Am I wrong? Let me know what you think below.
The Tai Chi Notebook 
Hi Graham,
I read the book and agree with your position. If you like Lou Reed and his music, it is a fascinating piece of biography and details his deeply held conviction that his practice pulled him out of some dark places and might have even given him a ‘reason to live’, but it is not a martial arts ‘how to’.
Best wishes,
Steffan
P.S. my review is here https://www.blackwatertaichi.com/blog/art-of-the-straight-line
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Get him to go to the Contacts page, send me an email and I’ll reply with my address. Thanks.
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Hi, where can Glenn Blythe send his book for you to review.
In my opinion his book on the 5 loosening exercises is exceptional.
nothing else like it.
Stephen Osborne
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If Mr Blythe would like to send me a copy, I’ll review it.
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Why ddon’t you review a book Yi Chi Li by Glen Blythe.
Yang style Tai Chi, the best read on the 5 loosening exercises ever.
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