"I am standing in the sky on the roof of a glass and steel office tower in Rotterdam, Holland. There are twenty-one floors of air between me a...
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reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Jim
rated it: 
This is vastly superior to the typical celebrity biography. The last third of the book, about Jackie Chan's rise to success, is interesting. The best part of this book, however, covers his years of struggle. And, wow, did he struggle.
Jackie Chan was the son of poor, refugee parents in Hong Kong, who fostered him to a Chinese Opera school, a place like a Dickensian orphanage, but with flying spin kicks. His teacher was manipulative and abusive. Chan was beaten a lot, hungry most of th More...
Jackie Chan was the son of poor, refugee parents in Hong Kong, who fostered him to a Chinese Opera school, a place like a Dickensian orphanage, but with flying spin kicks. His teacher was manipulative and abusive. Chan was beaten a lot, hungry most of th More...
Jan 29, 2012
Philberta
rated it:
I picked up this Jackie Chan autobiography randomly at my mom's house when I realized I had nothing fun to read while I was doing laundry. To my surprise, I was immediately sucked in, and didn't stop reading until I was done with the entire book a day later. Now, kung fu / martial arts movies are not even remotely close to being my favorite movie genre, but I have to admit, once I finished this book, I was ALMOST itching to rend a Jackie Chan movie. I have now added Drunken Master to my netflix
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Aug 20, 2011
Tina
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I was surprised to learn Jackie Chan was sold to the Chinese Opera when he was a child because his parents couldn't afford to support him...and he was an unruly child. That part is believable I suppose. I thought the whole training era, from 7-17, was fascinating...and brutal. Makes me wonder if he really is the last true kung fu performer like that, that can do his own stunts, since that kind of training has to be outlawed by now. Was that training really the key to his skill? Or will others co
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Jul 20, 2007
Jamesatkinson
rated it: 
When Jackie Chan was 8 his parents sold him to the chinese opera where they beat the shit out of him and he learned to do backflips. And he met Sammo Hung who ate all his food. Then later he made kung fu films while fighting triads and also he fought al his producers and established his own character as a goofy unlikely hero guy. awesome.
Sep 13, 2010
Phillip
rated it:
Jackie Chan's autobiography is written with an easy conversational style, one that allows an occasional comment to drop that reveals a twinkle in the author's eye.
This is a surprising story of a young boy raised in an incredibly strict environment of the Peking Opera Dramatic Academy; of a youth trying to survive as a stuntman in the glutted Hong Kong film market; of a young man trying to develop his own cinema persona in an industry committed to molding him into the style of the mo More...
This is a surprising story of a young boy raised in an incredibly strict environment of the Peking Opera Dramatic Academy; of a youth trying to survive as a stuntman in the glutted Hong Kong film market; of a young man trying to develop his own cinema persona in an industry committed to molding him into the style of the mo More...
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Feb 27, 2011
Dutch
rated it:
Something is seriously wrong with you if you don't love Jackie Chan. There is a combination of cuteness, humility, sensitivity, intelligence, and of course incredible talent. But what I didn't expect was a bit of sass! He tells it like it is/was, and makes no apology for expressing some angst every now and then. This guy also deserves to have a huge ego, which is okay with me - but a few pages here and there you can sense a little bit of it because he feels he is entitled to feel great about
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Aug 03, 2011
I really enjoyed this autobiography. Reading all about his childhood and training at the Opera was so interesting. I really enjoyed the way it was written because it really kept me riveted and made me want to continue reading the rest of his life story. It's weird because it ends before the sequels to Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon where he is just starting to become a star in Hollywood. I love how cool his life is. You are awesome Jackie Chan!
Aug 03, 2011
Justin
rated it:
I read this on a flight to and from California to visit my brother. At the time I was moderately obsessed with kung fu movies. It was an enjoyable read and I learned quite a bit about Jackie Chan and the Hong Kong film industry. However, the narration is obviously biased and I question its accuracy (I suppose this is true of all autobiographies). Chan has had an interesting life. If you're a fan of his to any degree, this is worth checking out.
Nov 01, 2009
Wilson
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Hehe, laugh if you'd like, but Jackie has been one of my idols since I was a kid! Reading this book gave not only insight to his personal history, but also insight into the beauty of endurance and ambition. I'd not only revisit this book to be reminded of how sweetly I used to think of him as a child, but also of how widely I look up to him and his accomplishments as I pursue my own goals. Jackie Forever.
May 18, 2009
Annette
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This book was surprisingly totally awesome. I mean, I think we can agree that Jackie Chan is totally awesome. But I was expecting this autobiography to be kind of equivalent to a David Hasselhoffesq experience (lots of imdb info and very little self reflection). However, Chan delves into his childhood, admits his faults and tells hilarious stories about his life and experience in the martial arts film industry.
Jul 10, 2011
Darren
rated it:
At last, a celebrity with a story to tell. This autobiography is probably best suited to fans of the movies, more so martial arts movies. However, I believe even the casual biography reader would find something more than is usually on offer in the many (too many) celebrity biographies crowding the bookshelves today. Acting school and movie making is certainly very different in Hong Kong.
Jul 11, 2009
Martin
rated it:
This book which tells the life of Jakie Chan, one of my favourite actors, who in my opinion doesn`t get enough recognition for his work. This book tells of his life in the Peking Opera school, all the way up along to when he became a stuntman & finally a leading actor. An enjoyable read, especially for those who appreciate Asian Cinema.
Aug 10, 2011
David Tendo
rated it:
A not-too-bad biography. Humourous and insightful, but there's a nagging lack of emotional impact or substance, which doesn't give it much weight. And me being a skeptical guy from Hong Kong and knowing the Hong Kong entertainment industry, i'm not so sure of how much of Jackie's bio is genuine.
Jan 02, 2009
Holly
rated it:
A memoir as funny as Jackie Chan himself. It is a very candid look at was a hard, unorthodox childhood and a rocky start to what has become a great career. Jackie wasn't afraid to tell us his mistakes and the lucky events that got him to where he is now. Entertaining read.
Jan 04, 2012
Ian
rated it:
Quite a moving description of his childhood Chinese popular theatre acting, where he learned traditional kung fu dance. I didn't know Chan came from that classical, almost medieval performance background. Also an interesting depiction of Hong Kong and its people in those times.
May 24, 2011
Matthew
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I've never read an autobiography before; I guess I've never been that interested in a 'personality' to really find out more about them. However I'm very glad to have decided to read this one.Jackie's life has been pretty amazing, from growing up in Hong Kong and attending the Chinese Opera School and his many attempts to break into both the Hong Kong and American film industries.The majority of the book focuses on Jackie's early life, his parents leaving him at the Opera School, his gruelling tr
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Dec 13, 2011
Kirby
rated it:
Granted, I was a completely obsessed teenager when I read and re-read this book, so I'm not sure how much I'd like it if I read it now. But I remember being moved at the time by Jackie's "rags to riches" sort of tale.
Feb 18, 2008
piraterie
rated it:
Awesomeness.
I found the parts about his childhood training to be the most interesting. I can't even imagine that much work and that much dedication and that many beatings at such a young age. It sounded like a complete nightmare to me, and that he can appreciate what he learned and have fond memories of that time in spite of the major suckiness is pretty awesome.
Very quick read! Interesting! Entertaining! Although I totally wanted there to be something about his sing More...
I found the parts about his childhood training to be the most interesting. I can't even imagine that much work and that much dedication and that many beatings at such a young age. It sounded like a complete nightmare to me, and that he can appreciate what he learned and have fond memories of that time in spite of the major suckiness is pretty awesome.
Very quick read! Interesting! Entertaining! Although I totally wanted there to be something about his sing More...
May 22, 2011
Melissa
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Obviously ghostwritten, but he had an interesting life. I actually found the school years more interesting than the Hollywood years. So strict!! Cute read.
Aug 26, 2009
Debbie
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Chan's blatant arrogance and matchismo had me disappointed. He can fight, but Chan is far from being a martial artist-type kindred spirit.
Oct 08, 2011
John
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Was quite interesting especially about him being an extra in Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon.
Mar 27, 2011
Sonia
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I read this several years ago, but remember being surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Jul 12, 2010
Ian
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8/10. I liked this autobiography. Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys his films.
Aug 05, 2009
Fiorella
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His life was so interesting. I look up to him even more now. Could not put this down!
Jan 29, 2012
Rachel
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You might be surprised to find this on my list. My copy was actually autographed by Chan in San Francisco when it came out. It is a step up from the typical movie star biop. He grew up practically as an orphan under the care of a strict instructor at a Chinese Opera boarding school. He tells one story about wanting a bowl of rice so badly that he grabbed one off of a waiters tray and ate it in desperation. He did this knowing the severe punishments that were coming once they got back to sch
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Sep 07, 2009
Ann-Marie
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Of course I would love this. After all, he was much of my inspiration when I was pursuing stunt work. I wanted to know what his path was. His childhood and life experiences will evoke much emotion and inspire.
Jul 24, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
So fantastic. I stayed up way too late for 3 nights in a row to finish reading this. Really fun and interesting.
