Tao of Jeet Kune Do
by Bruce Lee
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Book Reviews of Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Book Review: A masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
Most readers already know that Bruce Lee was an innovative, highly accomplished martial artist who happened to be a famous actor as well. This book was, in large part, self therapeutic, written to pass along his philosophy and techniques while he recovered from a serious back injury. It truly captures the spirit of his art form, Jeet Kune Do. The text begins philosophically, covering Zen and the facets of Jeet Kune Do, then moves into basics such as warm-ups and basic postures, followed by more depth on the kicking, striking, and grappling aspects of the art.
Whether you are a practitioner of Jeet Kun Do or not, there are large sections on attacks, feints, parries, distance, footwork, and evasiveness, all topics that transcend any individual art form. The concepts of power, endurance, balance, speed, timing, and attitude are universal as well. It is an interesting blend of philosophy and practicality that can benefit most any martial practitioner. Though it was originally published more than 30 years ago, it remains as relevant and useful today as it was at its inception. Your martial arts library is simply not complete without it.
Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction
Book Review: Good fighting concepts book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is great in terms of coming up with ideas for techniques and defense strategies. Bruce Lee was studying and practicing with many martial artists from multiple fighting systems. I think this book is written pretty well, and the very important and practical information is elaborated on more extensively.
I like how he wrote much Tao about the attitudes and virtues of a person in general, that will help to improve how you deal with confrontations in the psychological perspective. He doesn't focus only on power, but on speed and evasion. He emphasizes agility, combinations, evasiveness, and power.
There is an inclination that a fighter must get some basic foundations in all aspects of a fight, but that in the end the best way for one personally is one's OWN way. Or else a cat would be doing a dog's job, and the dog would be doing the cat's job. The dog can be a dog better than the cat can, and a cat can be a cat better than a dog can. Basically, adapt to your natural feel and capitalize on your natural strengths, and then strengthen your weaknesses.
I like this book alot. He put much time and thought into it and it shows. Please don't use this book as a "how to" book. It wasn't designed nor written for such a purpose.
Book Review: The Bible of Jeet Kune Do
Summary: 5 Stars
There are countless publications available on JKD and Bruce Lee. But, this book remains the de facto bible of JKD.
Bruce Lee's Tao of Jeet Kune Do is an extraordinary glimpse into the mind and spirit of the most celebrated martial artist in history. Clearly, this book is an exemplary guide to the fighting philosophy and concepts of JKD. However, the level of elegance and wisdom conveyed by Bruce Lee in this bestseller is most riveting.
Had Bruce Lee written this book ten years prior or ten years after its actual completion, the results would have been uniquely different. That is the essence of JKD...as well as the essence of human life...constant evolution of the mind, body, and spirit.
Because Bruce Lee wrote the bulk of this book while he was physically still (he sustained a back injury that kept him in bed for six months), his mind was able to fully engage in the writings that have resulted in Tao of Jeet Kune Do. As was the case with nearly everything he produced when fully engaged...Bruce Lee succeeded in creating a timeless masterpiece that will inspire and enlighten martial artists for generations to come.
J. Barnes
Author - Speed Training for Martial Arts
Book Review: THE definitive signpost on the Road to Mastery
Summary: 5 Stars
Bruce Lee's commentaries on the Martial Arts is indispensable. Realizing that this book was complied from his notes after his untimely death, I can forgive the hodge-podge fashion the book is formatted in. He never intended for this to be published. That said, one cannot ignore the level of mastery he had attained, or ignore his advice. Bruce was an accomplished screen fighter, yes, but what is often overlooked is his level of street-fighting competency. EVERY martial artist he EVER sparred with, trained with, or associated with label him as the greatest ever (even with his bad back) for a reason. If you cannot grasp the level of expertise portrayed in this book, read some others, keep practicing, and re-read it often. Eventually, it will transform the way that you think, feel, and fight. Quite simply the BEST book ever written. Not simply because of his knowledge. Even in spite of the haphazard fashion the information is conveyed in. Bruce Lee KNEW what worked and what didn't FOR HIM, and points "The finger to the moon" for you to find your own truth, using no-nonsense, real world information. Pass up this book, and I guarantee, you will lose to someone who did not.Book Review: The REAL review
Summary: 5 Stars
Bruce Lee was more than in innovative martial artist, as described by millions. His teachings were not intended to augment induvidual styles; many people make themselves believe that because to understand his teachings is to realize that many lifetimes of training are useless. Bruce Lee understood that it was necessary to do more than "cross-train" martial arts; he realized that all styles are in fact POINTLESS. His teachings instead describe how to truly train; he teaches that "when one has no form, one can assume any form," and likewise with styles. All who train their whole lives away in classical forms are in truth limiting themselves by those forms. The truth is to truly expand beyond the borders of traditional martial arts and instead treat it like a living being, capable of adapting entirely to the current environment. As I have been training under this "formlessness" my entire fighting career, I know that the teachings beginning in this book are true and good. This book is not intended as another "ultimate fighting manual," but a beginnin; that is, a way to begin a true understanding of the basic martial arts: pure combat.