The Early Life of Chin Siu Dek.

Jimmy H. Woo by Bernice Woo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The history of San Soo in China goes back a long way. Monks in the Buddhist monasteries before the introduction Kung Fu were vulnerable to the attack of bandits. In San Soo this changed when warriors from the various different armies went into the monastery and began to train the monks in Warrior techniques. This took place at the Kwan Yin Monastery in China.
Leong Kick was an orphan who went to the monastery to live while he was there he learned the fighting arts an when he left he took two training manual with him. This art stayed in the family until this day. The family would later open up kung Fu school and train people.
Jimmy’s real name was Chin Siu Dek. First name Dek family name Chin. Not only did Leong Kick bring San Soo to the outside world but the whole line of Chin were fighting stock and important people in China. His grandfather was a merchant who always had treats for Jimmy and he grew up in a family that nourished his young soul and gave him the confidence and strength to be the formidable fighter he was. His grandmother was a healer and a midwife. Her ability is evidenced by how she healed Jimmy’s hand when he injured it lighting a firework. Jimmy’s Uncle ran the main Kung Fu school in the area. All the other teachers paid homage to him. Jimmy got so good with his Kung Fu that his Uncle made him an enforcer. The enforcer’s job was to go about and settle dispute and make sure that Kung Fu schools were paying their dues. If someone wanted to over throw Jimmy’s Uncle they had to fight Li ti a death match. Jimmy’s uncle was too tough. Jimmy’s father would work in Hawaii and come home once a year bringing gifts and treat.
Jimmy was a brave colorful personality who would defend the week and give charity to the poor. The river was a favorite place for fishing and swimming. Jimmy would often catch a lot of fish and then give the extra fish to poor old people who did not have the ability. If someone tried to steal fish or was rude in asking for it, we’ll let us say that Jimmy taught them a lesson. Many bigger kids learned not to mess with Jimmy. Not only would Jimmy teach them a lesson if they were rude to him but if bigger kids were bullying weaker kids Jimmy would step up for them.

Jimmy had so much energy that one could never contain him. Despite being rather intelligent Jimmy never liked school and was often transferred to new schools for breaking the rules or getting into fights. Instructors were spared from Jimmy’s wrath. One teacher tried to hit Jimmy with bamboo cane, Jimmy taught him a painful lesson. Another teacher would make the mistake of knocking grapes out of Jimmy’s hand, he would regret that action.

I hope more books come out about Jimmy’s life an about San Soo. Chin Siu Dek lived a fast pace and exciting life would be great to see his biography turned into a movie. I also hope that Bernice write volume two and that it is longer. That is the problem with enjoyable books, they are too short.



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