Book I provides basic information, backstory, and a complete list of alter egos for each of the nine core members of Wu-Tang Clan:
+ RZA
+ GZA
+ ODB
+ Method Man
+ Ghostface Killah
+ Raekwon
+ U-God
+ Inspectah Deck
+ Masta Killa

Book II breaks down nine key themes of the Wu-Tang universe:
+ Spirituality: the spiritual journey through the Bible to Greek Mythology to Five Percent Nation to Ch’an Buddhism to a holistic spirituality.
+ Martial Arts: from a fascination with kung fu movies up through a serious study of martial arts Eastern spirituality.
+ Capitalism: from the now-famous original record deals that allowed the Clan to record together and as solo artists through the Clan’s later diversification, including Wu-Tang Records, Wu-Wear, the Shaolin Style Playstation, and more.
+ Comics: the influence of comic book heroes on hip-hop and Wu-Tang, including specific discussions of the bestselling Nine Rings of Wu-Tang comic books and Bobby Digital.
+ Chess: the importance of chess to Wu-Tang both as a game and as a multi-sided metaphor.
+ Organized Crime: Wu-Tang’s personal, cinematic, and structural affinities with the Mafia.
+ Cinema: includes both kung-fu and mafia movies, but also the cinematic sound of Wu-Tang music, plus sections on key filmmakers John Woo, Jarmusch, and Tarantino.
+ Chemistry: brief history, anecdotes, and information about Wu-Tang Clan’s experimentation, and how it has influenced their music.
+ Slang: a dictionary-like compendium of Wu-slang.

Book III provides the lyrics and densely annotated explanations of nine Wu-Tang songs:
+ “Protect Ya Neck”
+ “Bring Da Ruckus”
+ “C.R.E.A.M.”
+ “Triumph”
+ “Hellz Wind Staff”
+ “Impossible”
+ “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)”
+ “Uzi (Pinky Ring)”
+ “Rules”

And in Book IV, RZA discusses the art and craft of hip-hop as it relates to Wu-Tang:
+ Wu-Tang Samples: RZA’s unique, groundbreaking approach to sampling
+ Technology: history of key technological components RZA and the Clan had to master to make their music what they wanted it to be.
+ The Spirituality of Producing: what goes into producing Wu-Tang’s music and what it has meant to the RZA.
+ Voices as Instruments: how the nine members of Wu-Tang Clan function like a symphony, with each member playing an instrumental role
+ The Art of Rhyme: a discussion of Wu-Tang lyric-writing, with key contributions from GZA and U-God.
+ Live Performances: a brief history of the importance and the sensibility of Wu-Tang performances, up through their recent show in Los Angeles.
+ The Way of the Abbot: RZA on his role at the center of the Wu-Tang Clan
+ Wuman Resources: the career management behind the Wu-Tang Clan and the solo careers of the individual members
+ The Saga Continues: The future of Wu-Tang...

Elegantly laid-out and richly printed, the book is designed to reflect the Asian influence on the Wu-Tang universe, which, as the book explains, began with a fascination with kung-fu movies but quickly led to serious study of martial arts and Eastern philosophy and spirituality. The Book also includes a map of Shaolin; a trove of never-before-seen photos of the Wu-Tang Clan, including shots of RZA’s trip to China with Sifu Shi Yan-Ming, live shots, and portraits-by Michael Lavine, Craig Wetherby, Sophia Chang, and Frank151; and original illustrations of many of the guiding lights of the Wu-Tang universe.

Before the death of ODB, the Wu-Tang Clan had recently played their first two group shows in years, one in Los Angeles and one in New York. They recently released a live album and DVD, Disciples of the 36 Chambers, and a Greatest Hits collection, Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan.

For the hardcore Wu-Tang disciple and the recent initiate alike, THE WU-TANG MANUAL is the definitive guide to the essence of Wu, one of the most innovative hip-hop groups of all time.

The saga continues…