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2nd out of 10 books
—
7 voters
Tao of Jeet Kune Do
This is Bruce Lee’s treatise on his martial art, jeet kune do. This international best seller includes the philosophy of jeet kune do, mental and physical training, martial qualities, attack, and strategy. BEST SELLER!
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
October 1st 1975
by Black Belt Communications
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Long before Steven Segal, Van Damme or the UFC, there was Bruce Lee. While most of the world was concerned with kata and board breaking, Lee was developing a concept that would eventually become the most fundamental aspect of today’s fastest growing sport (mixed martial arts)—use what works for you. While taken as objective truth in today’s rapidly expanding MMA community, it was revolutionary and anathema to the conventional wisdoms of the time. It crossed cultural boundaries within the realm o...more
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Jeet Kune Do (JKD) was never meant to be a specific style, or another form of martial art. It was just a name Bruce Lee reluctantly coined because he felt he had to call it something. He was concerned that, once named, his approach to Martial Arts could be misinterpreted or exploited.
Anyway, 40 years after Bruce Lee's death, this volume and the 4 paperback volumes of "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method" (now also available in one Hardcover volume) offer, in my opinion, the best overview of his practica...more
Anyway, 40 years after Bruce Lee's death, this volume and the 4 paperback volumes of "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method" (now also available in one Hardcover volume) offer, in my opinion, the best overview of his practica...more
What can I say about this book & this man. Bruce lee has always had such an influence on me, especially in my teens. Of course, he is well known as a martial art film star ,but he is so much more than that. He was a teacher & philosopher too, who had to fight against racism while living in america to become the man he was to become. This book describes the art that he created called `Jeet kune do`- the way of the intercepting fist. One of my favourite quotes of his which sums up his phil...more
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In "Tao of Jeet Kune Do", the only character is Bruce Lee. He is also the author of the book. Lee was born in San Francisco, November 20, 1940, and died on May 10, 1973, suffering from seizures and headaches. He was eager to learn martial arts mainly because he was bullied in school. He wanted to show people that just because he was Chinese he could be successful. He eventually was so successful in martial arts, he began to create his own fighting style with a mixture of many different martial...more
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I read this book for the philosophy not for the martial arts but as a former martial arts practitioner it was interesting to see the basic review of the approach to Jeet Kune Do-- many of Bruce Lee's approaches have been incorporated into modern Kung Fu.
At its essence Tao of Jeet Kune Do is two thick slices of Philosophy (at the beginning an end) with a serving of Martial arts in between. It is there where Bruce Lee is most poignant.
What brought me to this book:
I've been looking for books that r...more
At its essence Tao of Jeet Kune Do is two thick slices of Philosophy (at the beginning an end) with a serving of Martial arts in between. It is there where Bruce Lee is most poignant.
What brought me to this book:
I've been looking for books that r...more
You really dig into the mind set Bruce Lee had by reading this, not just his technique of Jeet Kune Do (Way of the Intercepting Fist). An interesting read in that respect. I'm not a martial artist so I didn't dig too deep into the technique in the later chapters. It's sort of like reading guitar magazine without having taken on playing the instrument yourself. It makes more sense as you forge your own path in martial arts I guess. This updated version has notes from some of his students and his...more
Bruce Lee gave real meaning to the term martial ARTIST. He lived his art; he never stopped discovering it or it's potential to make him a better MAN, even more than a better fighter. He recognized that martial art was a metaphor for the struggle within ourselves. That's the real battle and as as Pogo says, "I have met the enemy and it is me".
From a martial arts perspective, Bruce has influenced me more than anyone else in my 35+ years in martial arts. He broke all the "rules" and took martial a...more
From a martial arts perspective, Bruce has influenced me more than anyone else in my 35+ years in martial arts. He broke all the "rules" and took martial a...more
During my adolescence Bruce Lee was a hero of mine. He was a minority hero who broke down racial barriers. I remember seeing a documentary about Lee. It interviewed famous black Americans who considered Lee a hero of theirs as well just because he wasn't white (and he could kick butt like no one else).
I bought this book back in the 80's and still have it. There's philosophy, art and, of course, martial arts. It is a testimony to a truly fascinating life. I don't agree with all the philosophy, b...more
I bought this book back in the 80's and still have it. There's philosophy, art and, of course, martial arts. It is a testimony to a truly fascinating life. I don't agree with all the philosophy, b...more
Cool for fans, but I still can't throw a one inch punch.
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Bruce Lee was not only an actor and a warrior, but a brilliant philosopher. He brought everything that was greatest about his culture into everything he did. It is not only for his fighting prowess that we fondly remember Bruce Lee, but for the sharpness of his mind, the clarity of his vision, the sheer discipline and care that he took with his daily life. Within this book, you will see not only the fighting style that Bruce Lee created, but you will see how the eastern philosophies that shaped...more
Great book from a great man
This book is interesting, but not great. It isn't a book to just read. It has a series of short notes on various subjects, which are interesting, but sometimes almost repetitive. The drawnings are interesting, and I wanted to get a look at them. Also, it is interesting to see someone who was so sucessful at one thing and how that lead him to learn to be successful in other things as well. (sort of like Plato's theory of the forms.) I wondered if his insights on Jeet Kune do could be applied to o...more
The soul purpose of the book Tao of Jeet Kune Do is to teach a person a form of martial arts that has been created by Bruce Lee. The martial art was never finish being created but the book seem to cover almost every aspect of the martial arts possible. Personally I love the book. Bruce Lee was a wonderful man and the book is just a snapshot of his history. Once again Jeet Kune Do is a incomplete martial art but it’s enough to learn and take the rest of the studies into your own hands.
I can say...more
I can say...more
An excellent book that I highly recommend. One of my favorite stories from the book is the following:
Bruce Lee and I were having dim sum, a traditional Chinese breakfast of meat-filled pastries, in a downtown Los Angeles restaurant after a lesson. I seized on this opportunity to tell him that I was discouraged. At forty-five, I felt I was too old and my body too stiff to achieve any real ability in jeet-kune-do.
"You will never learn anything new unless you are ready to accept yourself with your...more
Bruce Lee and I were having dim sum, a traditional Chinese breakfast of meat-filled pastries, in a downtown Los Angeles restaurant after a lesson. I seized on this opportunity to tell him that I was discouraged. At forty-five, I felt I was too old and my body too stiff to achieve any real ability in jeet-kune-do.
"You will never learn anything new unless you are ready to accept yourself with your...more
During my martial arts phase of life, I thought this was a good book. Little did I realize how Bruce was trying to indoctrinate me into the Asian/Eastern religious philosophies that are ingrained in its martial arts. Now knowing better about the unbiblical worldview that is part-and-parcel with the martial arts, I recommend that all Christians avoid. To the Christian: there is no fighting skill worth learning while embracing the Christ-dishonoring spirit and philosophy of Asian/Eastern religions...more
This is a beautiful book of philosophy from a man widely considered to be the greatest martial artist in recorded history. The first half of the book is for anyone to read and contains some of the soaring wisdom Bruce acquired in his lifetime of work in the martial arts. Perhaps his originality and understandability in a language not native to him was aided by his formal Western education in philosophy, because equally important in a book of philosophy is ability to give expression to that wisdo...more
Sep 28, 2012
Chris Colbath
added it
This is the quintessential read on Bruce Lee's martial philosophy and the basis for my Martial Training. I took a break from training for many years until I visited his grave. It has made me want to get started again and reading this is the best place to begin that journey.
I recommend it for any martial arts minded person. It will enhance *any* art you study, as the practice in here is easily applied.
Well worth the read.
I recommend it for any martial arts minded person. It will enhance *any* art you study, as the practice in here is easily applied.
Well worth the read.
Bruce Lee was a legend in the Martial Arts world as well as film and TV.
Many people may not know that he trained in martial arts (in particular Wing Chun under Master Yip Man) before he rejected the classic styles of Kung Fu and formed his own syle - Jeet Kune Do.
This book is as much a training manual as it is a philosophy and psychology manual. It is pragmatic and as valid today in life as it was at the time when Bruce wrote it.
Many people may not know that he trained in martial arts (in particular Wing Chun under Master Yip Man) before he rejected the classic styles of Kung Fu and formed his own syle - Jeet Kune Do.
This book is as much a training manual as it is a philosophy and psychology manual. It is pragmatic and as valid today in life as it was at the time when Bruce wrote it.
More than just a book on the martial arts, this book gives an indepth look into the mind of one of the legends of the 20th century. The Tao Of Jeet Kune Do not only provides an insightfull look into Lee's Jeet Kune Do style, but a look into Lee's personal philosophy. This book has helped inspired martial artist, singers, athletes and many others in their walk of life. Truly one of life must read books.
There is a reason why, more than 20 years after his death, that Bruce Lee is still getting articles about his way and his own personal technique written in magazines and why he is still revered by so many. This book is a good example of the reasons why. The important thing though is to learn from his example, understand it, and then create your own method instead of just following it.
Concrete no-nonsense martial arts. Very good for the martial artist and athlete alike. This book really encouraged me to branch out in Martial Arts and learn the traditional sports like wrestling and boxing.
Feb 05, 2013
Jeff Littrell
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone looking for inspiration philosphicly or in the area of martial arts.
A book that changed my life for the better. It inspired me to study the art of Tae Kwon Do, and I eventually earned a black belt. Feeling restricted by the parameters of conventional martial arts, Bruce Lee created his own form, Jeet Kune Do,or " the way of the intercepting fist". He was an expert at blending the heart, mind, and body into an invincible weapon.
After taking up boxing I decided to revisit this book. Incredibly insightful, a rational breakdown into one's own thought process as well as the opponent's. In terms of engagement of combat, Bruce is so concise, stripping away the inessentials, reaching the core of it all. Physical applications are well illustrated with rational theory to back it up.
For real fighters, (and die-hard Bruce Lee fans). This book really gets into body mechanics and the various techniques of combat. Good stuff, but a lot of it was just too technical and dry for me.
Humility is not verbal renunciation of pride but the substitution of pride for self-awareness and objectivity. Forced humiliation is false pride.
Humility is not verbal renunciation of pride but the substitution of pride for self-awareness and objectivity. Forced humiliation is false pride.
I don't have the exact read start and finish dates on many books I have read this year. The dates are approximated, as I have been in & out of the hospital, and on bed rest, and read 2-5 books a day depending on the book & length and my ability to focus. All dates are approximated, by month.
I have studied this book since I was 9....
I have studied this book since I was 9....
I read this book when I was 16, it helped me avoid mental mistakes that most competitors have. This book is not just for people who want to learn Jeet Kune Do, but teaches you to just use "what works". The best part of the book is the philosophy he tries to put into it which is the most helpful part.
A good look into the mind and theories of Bruce Lee and his contribution to the martial arts: Jeet Kune Do. The book gives an interesting insight into his thoughts, but I wasn't interested in his "personal philosophy". Though as a martial arts book, it has its merits.
You may know Bruce Lee as a movie star- martial artists know him as much more. This in-depth compilation of original notes and sketches is an invaluable addition to every martial artist's library and a look at the serious side of Bruce Lee for the fan.
Through his films and his writings, Bruce Lee was a profound influence on my formative years, imparting such gems as "absorb what is useful, reject what is useless."
This book helped and continues to help clean up a mess, every time I read it.
This book helped and continues to help clean up a mess, every time I read it.
This book is an intense look into the mind of a genius. Any practitioner of combat sciences can benefit from reading this book. Although Lee says to read this & then get rid of it, repeated readings will bring new levels of understanding, I feel.
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| bruce lee | 5 | 28 | Jan 04, 2013 03:17am | |
| Ms. Bassett's P1A...: Jeet kune do | 1 | 2 | Dec 05, 2012 06:42am |
Bruce Lee was an American-born martial artist, philosopher, instructor, martial arts actor and the founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts system, widely regarded as the most influential martial artist of the 20th century and a cultural icon. He was the father of actor Brandon Lee and of actress Shannon Lee.
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“Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.”
—
150 people liked it
“Not being tense but ready.
Not thinking but not dreaming.
Not being set but flexible.
Liberation from the uneasy sense of confinement.
It is being wholly and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come.”
—
135 people liked it
More quotes…
Not thinking but not dreaming.
Not being set but flexible.
Liberation from the uneasy sense of confinement.
It is being wholly and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come.”
