Tao of Jeet Kune Do: New Expanded Edition
Product ID: 329778
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Compiled from Bruce Lee’s notes and essays and originally published in 1975, this iconic volume is one of the seminal martial arts guides of its time. The science and philosophy behind the fighting system Lee pioneered himself—jeet kune do—is explained in detail, depicted through hundreds of Lee’s own illustrations. With the collaboration of Lee’s daughter, Shannon, and Bruce Lee Enterprises, this new edition is expanded, updated, and remastered, covering topics such as Zen and enlightenment, kicking, striking, grappling, and footwork. Featuring an introduction by Linda Lee, this is essential reading for any practitioner, offering a brief glimpse into the mind of one of the world’s greatest martial artists. Review: Look into the mind of the master and learn - First I must confess that I'm very much a Bruce Lee fan. He was born a few years before me so we are of the same generation. Someone like myself can't help but wonder, when reading this book, what Bruce might write today from the vantage point of age and experience. My personal opinion is that his basic philosophy would not have changed. He would have probably matured in his ideas and continue to evolve and in middle and old age he would have probably adjusted his martial arts to fit the unique needs of aging. But, we'll never know since he died before he had a chance to age. His philosophy, however, was ancient and great. He was wise far beyond his years. And we can still learn much from him --- both about his Tao (Way) and his martial arts style. The book couples his philosophy, which is mostly Buddhist or eastern, and his method of fighting. I find them both enlightening. For example, he tells us to keep our chin tucked toward our shoulder as a defense. He teaches us how to keep from being an easy target and how to attack with explosive action from a neutral stance. These are things that never go out of style. Lee writes, "With the chin dropped and pinned tight to the collarbone, the muscles and bone structure are in the best possible alignment and only the top of the head is presented to the opponent, making it impossible to be hit on the point of the chin." I found one or two things that didn't sound like Bruce and they didn't fit in with his times. I felt the editor took a few liberties and added his own thoughts or what he felt Bruce might have believed. For example, under "Everyday opportunities for exercises" we read: Take a walk whenever you can -- like parking the car a few blocks away from your destination. Avoid taking the elevator; climb the stairs instead. . . . the rest sounds like Bruce. The above statements, while certainly good advice, were not in the lexicon of Bruce's era. They came into being during the last decade or so. Moreover, these two statements do not sound like Lee. They sound like every modern fitness writer on the planet. This book is more than Bruce's fighting method, though it is that. It is inspiring and powerful. It is full of wisdom and inspiration and thoughtful advice and meditation. Lee had a wide range of interests. He was a dancer. He was an artist. He took an interest in many things and many philosophies. He was not a good actor. His wife Linda often says that Bruce considered himself a martial artist first and an actor second. I'm not sure that's true. Lee took a keen interest in his acting career and the income he got from it. But like Elvis Presley, his ability to act was very limited. Yet he brought magic to the screen with his lovely body and outstanding skill. He didn't need to be a good actor. Much that we have heard about Bruce Lee is pure myth. But what is not myth is his martial arts greatness and his keen mind that absorbed information like a sponge, his ability to take what he needed from everything and discard the rest. He did not get attached to any one idea. He evolved in his thinking and adapted daily to his needs. There is much about Bruce Lee that is, and probably always will be, powerful motivation for millions. He was only 5' 8" and weighed about 140lbs, but he loomed large on the screen and in the hearts and minds of all who saw him or knew him. Whether or not you want to learn about Jeet Kune Do, you will gain much by reading this book. It is deep and meaningful. Highly recommended. - Susanna K. Hutcheson Review: For Bruce Lee fans - Love this book. Must get for any Bruce Lee fan
| Best Sellers Rank | #20,977 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #25 in Martial Arts (Books) #166 in Exercise & Fitness (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,916 Reviews |
A**M
Look into the mind of the master and learn
First I must confess that I'm very much a Bruce Lee fan. He was born a few years before me so we are of the same generation. Someone like myself can't help but wonder, when reading this book, what Bruce might write today from the vantage point of age and experience. My personal opinion is that his basic philosophy would not have changed. He would have probably matured in his ideas and continue to evolve and in middle and old age he would have probably adjusted his martial arts to fit the unique needs of aging. But, we'll never know since he died before he had a chance to age. His philosophy, however, was ancient and great. He was wise far beyond his years. And we can still learn much from him --- both about his Tao (Way) and his martial arts style. The book couples his philosophy, which is mostly Buddhist or eastern, and his method of fighting. I find them both enlightening. For example, he tells us to keep our chin tucked toward our shoulder as a defense. He teaches us how to keep from being an easy target and how to attack with explosive action from a neutral stance. These are things that never go out of style. Lee writes, "With the chin dropped and pinned tight to the collarbone, the muscles and bone structure are in the best possible alignment and only the top of the head is presented to the opponent, making it impossible to be hit on the point of the chin." I found one or two things that didn't sound like Bruce and they didn't fit in with his times. I felt the editor took a few liberties and added his own thoughts or what he felt Bruce might have believed. For example, under "Everyday opportunities for exercises" we read: Take a walk whenever you can -- like parking the car a few blocks away from your destination. Avoid taking the elevator; climb the stairs instead. . . . the rest sounds like Bruce. The above statements, while certainly good advice, were not in the lexicon of Bruce's era. They came into being during the last decade or so. Moreover, these two statements do not sound like Lee. They sound like every modern fitness writer on the planet. This book is more than Bruce's fighting method, though it is that. It is inspiring and powerful. It is full of wisdom and inspiration and thoughtful advice and meditation. Lee had a wide range of interests. He was a dancer. He was an artist. He took an interest in many things and many philosophies. He was not a good actor. His wife Linda often says that Bruce considered himself a martial artist first and an actor second. I'm not sure that's true. Lee took a keen interest in his acting career and the income he got from it. But like Elvis Presley, his ability to act was very limited. Yet he brought magic to the screen with his lovely body and outstanding skill. He didn't need to be a good actor. Much that we have heard about Bruce Lee is pure myth. But what is not myth is his martial arts greatness and his keen mind that absorbed information like a sponge, his ability to take what he needed from everything and discard the rest. He did not get attached to any one idea. He evolved in his thinking and adapted daily to his needs. There is much about Bruce Lee that is, and probably always will be, powerful motivation for millions. He was only 5' 8" and weighed about 140lbs, but he loomed large on the screen and in the hearts and minds of all who saw him or knew him. Whether or not you want to learn about Jeet Kune Do, you will gain much by reading this book. It is deep and meaningful. Highly recommended. - Susanna K. Hutcheson
C**I
For Bruce Lee fans
Love this book. Must get for any Bruce Lee fan
F**Y
I loved it
awesome book but you need to be very self motivated.
D**R
Looks great
Book arrived in good shape. Really like the binding.
T**.
Better than the original!
Great! I loved it.
J**S
Great MA Foundation
This collection of notes arranged by Bruce Lee’s wife and colleagues provides a foundation for a robust Martial Arts practice. It is more on the philosophical side, and the technical information, as well as the workout and warmup routines it contains are mostly outdated, but it is well worth the read as a piece for historical reference, as well as for the philosophical foundation and “zen” mindset approach to learning different martial arts skills and incorporating them into a total practice for yourself. Even for those not lookin to practice martial arts, the mindset-related content is very though provoking and worthwhile.
E**D
Excellent
Excellent
E**N
The REALNESS
In my opinion Bruce Lee was an absolute genius and understood life in a way not many others if any will be able to conceptualize even. Before he died, he passed out and was hospitalized for cereberal edema which from what I gather is his brain was filing with fluid and was swelling. 2 months later he complained of a headache and collapsed again and died. Whatever they say the medical reason was, I think he was just so smart, his brain couldn't take it. That, or he was killed. Those are just my opinions. There are several theories of how/why he died but, back to the book. The story behind this is, Bruce Lee broke his back and had to stay in bed for a long time. That's when he wrote it. The style of martial arts he created is a physical expression/reflection of his philosophies/beliefs. That's basically what this book is. If you have studied up on Bruce Lee and are into truth, this book is for you. I wish it wasn't based around his creation of Jeet Kune Do, but I just wanted in the mind of Bruce Lee and that's what I got. I'm not a martial artist but this book is full of wisdom that can be applied to all aspects of life. I super recommend this to anyone interested in philosophy, truth, bettering themselves, understanding life more, etc. Bruce Lee was the man. RIP.
P**E
Top
Il marito è stato super felice di questo libro
S**I
The Master
I have been an avid fan of Bruce Lee since a very young age. From watching all his movies to reading dozens of books either written by or about him. I heard very good things about this book and was keen to learn more about Jeet Kune Do. Bruce Lee to me is more than just a massive movie star as their is so much more to him than kick ass moves. Such an intelligent and inspiring human being that everyone could learn a thing or two from. This book gives you a good account of what's involved in jeet kune do, now I'm not saying that if you read this book you'll be able to crane kick light bulbs on the ceiling into oblivion but certainly for the martial arts enthusiasts it can be applied and maybe help your own techniques improve or for a novice to start off your basis from the legend.
C**O
Excelente libro de Bruce Lee
Excelente libro de Bruce Lee, ampliamente recomendado
M**H
Just Perfect
Great for self improvement!
R**O
Una obra necesaria
Cómo no leer el libro que plasma las reflexiones y el estudio de las artes marciales del maestro Bruce Lee. Una lectura obligatoria para todos los practicantes de artes marciales y también para los curiosos. Eso si, esta edición está en inglés y es necesario cierto nivel, pero es la mejor manera de captar el pensamiento de Bruce Lee.
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