Book: The Crocodile and the Crane - A novel, by Arthur Rosenfeld

YMAA PUBLICATION CENTER has chosen author Arthur Rosenfeld’s The Crocodile and the Crane to follow the author’s The Cutting Season in introducing a new fiction category: Martial Arts Fiction. The Crocodile and the Crane translates this ancient, hugely popular, and authentic literary tradition to the setting of a near-future apocalypse, while conveying insights into Asian philosophy, history, and martial arts tradition.

Visit www.TheCrocodileandTheCrane.com to learn more about Arthur Rosenfeld and this exciting new genre of martial arts fiction.

PRACTITIONERS OF A SECRET ART that bestows immortality and more, Sanfeng and Zetian are brother and sister and have lived together in China for more than 3000 years. Now, in the near future of 2009, they face an enemy they recognize from their childhood, a terrifying disease that left them orphaned and alone in the world. The disease kills quickly and without mercy—victims die grimacing grotesquely—and as it spreads, it brings the siblings to the edge of apocalypse and pits them against each other in a battle for the world.

They are joined in their global struggle by a famous American selfhelp guru, a naïve but smart young publishing executive, a bitter Australian cop, and a beautiful Indonesian nurse with a secret the whole world wants to steal from her.

This thrilling race against time offers a smorgasbord of Chinese history, an epic love story, and the trenchant tale of one very special, intimate, and gifted family. It is a warning against the pitfalls and perils of the modern world, and a clarion call to heed the wisdom of the ancients in new and ever more relevant ways—before it is too late.

See Arthur Rosenfeld on YouTube as he discusses fiction, philosophy and tai chi.

AUTHOR(S)

Arthur Rosenfeld is a martial arts teacher, writer, speaker, and coach. His martial arts training spans more than twenty-six years, and includes instruction in Tang Soo Do, Kenpo, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi Ch'uan.

REVIEWS

5 of 5 stars, Dolores L. Sparrow, Sept 2007

I received this book as a gift and recommend it unconditionally. Even those not familiar with martial arts will get caught up in the suspenseful action and surprises Arthur Rosenfeld, the author, has in store for his audience. Rosenfeld presents a very original premise that is beautifully written, giving his audience a great reading experience that is well-researched and that captures one's interest from the first to the last page. He ties up all the loose ends very cleverly. The events are crafted so realistically it is difficult to remember this is a work of fiction!