Artist of Life (Bruce Lee Library) [Hardcover]

Bruce Lee (Author), John Little (Author)

Book Description

Series: Bruce Lee Library | Publication Date: September 15, 1999

Bruce Lee has been recognized primarily for his physical skills and tactical principles in the art of unarmed combat. But Bruce Lee: Artist of Life reveals that Lee was a man who was equal parts poet, Philosophysopher, scientist, actor. producer, director, author, choreographer, Martial Artsl artist, husband, father, and friend, dedicated to artistic expression with the goal of self-knowledge. Bruce Lee: Artist of Life is a collection of writings comprising eight parts: writings on Chinese Gung Fu, Philosophysophy psychology, Jeet Kune Do, acting, and self-knowledge, as well as a section of Lee's poetry and letters, revealing a side of Bruce Lee rarely seen letters, revealing a side of Bruce Lee rarely seen previously. As John Little writes in the Introduction, "No matter what the topic...you get the distinct impression from reading Lee's words that hee, indeed, was a 'real man,' a real human being, who was in fact laying bare his soul."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Decades after his death, fascination with martial arts superstar Lee continues. Editor Little and Lee's widow, Linda Lee Caldwell, contend Lee was much more than the acrobatic guy on the silver screen. He was a "philosopher . . . able to apply specific principles of his art to the broader endeavor of living life as a `real' human being." Toward that goal, Lee wrote the essays on acting, martial arts, and self-knowledge collected here. In fact, most of them touch on the quest for self-knowledge and, in conjunction with specimens of Lee's letters and poetry, enhance appreciation of the man. Specific topics range from the cerebral (e.g., "Psychology in Defense and Attack") to the practical (e.g., "How to Choose a Martial Art Instructor"), and pithy nuggets (e.g., "Truth cannot be structured or confused") are highlighted. Movie stars aren't always the deepest people around, once the conversation turns from showbiz, but Lee's writings are inspired and inspirational, of interest to his fans and to the multitudes seeking the meaning of life. Mike Tribby

Review

"You don't have to be a martial-arts fan to enjoy Little's reflective new book." -- The Seattle Times

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing; Hardcover with Jacket edition (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804831319
• ISBN-13: 978-0804831314
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,056,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PRIVATE LESSONS WITH BRUCE LEE!, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Artist of Life (Bruce Lee Library) (Hardcover)

I've just finished reading "Bruce Lee: Artist ofLife" -- what a book! It was just like having a private lessonwith Bruce Lee on a host of different topics! I enjoyed spending time with him as he discoursed on gung fu and Chinese culture; then attending philosophy classes with him at the University of Washington; moving from there on to the study of the mind as he explored the Gestalt approach to psychology; and then listening to him wax poetic about life, longing and lovers separated by fate; then it was a journey into the inner recesses of the soul to learn about "personal liberation" through JKD; his views on acting followed, revealing how he applied all of the foregoing into his films, and then, finally, his profoundly personal essays "In My Own Process" allowed Bruce to share with me his views on the process of his life. Again, what a magnificent book and what an incredible human being it reveals. This is my favorite volume in The Bruce Lee Library Series and I, for one, quite enjoy the breadth and scope of this volume. If you're interested just in JKD -- read volume three in this series; if you're interested in just gung fu -- read volume two (both are devoted exclusively to these respective modes of combat); if you want more of Bruce Lee's private letters -- you will enjoy volume five. But if you're looking for a great anthology of Bruce Lee's most important writings, you HAVE to read this book! It's the only book that covers all the bases in the totality of Bruce Lee's interests and beliefs. A great read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE NEW INFORMATION ON BRUCE LEE, November 20, 1999

By 

Grant Reynolds (Warrensburg, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Artist of Life (Bruce Lee Library) (Hardcover)

I had to wait six weeks for the Barnes and Noble store in my area to restock "Bruce Lee: Artist of Life" -- but it was well worth the wait! This is the greatest Bruce Lee book I've ever seen! Not only is there new, never-before-published material in almost every section, but Mr. Little has done Bruce Lee a great service by reproducing some of the writings that had been published previously (both in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do and in the Bruce Lee Library Series) in the original format that Bruce Lee first wrote them. I particularly enjoyed the never-before-published drafts of Bruce's great essay "Jeet Kune Do: Toward Personal Liberation." There are new and subtle differences in each version of the famous essay as Bruce works it over with each draft. I understand that this represents "the essential writings" of Bruce Lee, that is, a representative anthology of Bruce's writings in many different areas. It certainly is "essential" -- it's the best Bruce Lee book I've ever read and essential for anyone who wishes a full and complete understanding of the totality of the man. If you are looking for a book that is both a great introduction to the phenomenon that is Bruce Lee as well as a book that will inspire you to fully actualize yourself...this is the book you've been waiting for!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book! Only one problem..., November 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Artist of Life (Bruce Lee Library) (Hardcover)

I for one thought this a very informative book and enjoyed every bit it had to offer. The only problem is the fact that it reiterates almost everything that was said in the last books, only in less detail. I've practically seen every bit of material the book had to offer in other books. But, nevertheless it's a Bruce lee book and that's the bottom line. It's got my full vote.