Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition [Hardcover]

Bruce Lee (Author), M. Uyehara (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Vividly illustrating the techniques of a legendary innovator, this definitive examination explains how to survive attacks on the street, increase training awareness, and develop body movements. Originally compiled as a four-volume series, this revised edition breathes new life into a classic work with digitally-enhanced photography of jeet kune do founder Bruce Lee in his prime, a new chapter by former Lee student Ted Wong, and an introduction by Shannon Lee. This renowned compendium once again reclaims its place as an integral part of the Lee canon and a necessary addition for collectors and martial arts enthusiasts alike.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bruce Lee was an iconic figure in martial arts who pioneered the concept of jeet kune do from his physical training, personal research, and formal education in philosophy at the University of Washington, Seattle. He acted in several motion pictures, including The Big Boss, Enter the Dragon, Fists of Fury, and Way of the Dragon. He is the author of Tao of Jeet Kune Do. M. Uyehara is an aikido practitioner and the founder of Black Belt magazine. He served as the owner for more than 30 years and studied jeet kune do under Bruce Lee. He lives near Honolulu, Hawaii.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 483 pages
• Publisher: Black Belt Communications; Complete edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897501705
• ISBN-13: 978-0897501705
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,767 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Martial Arts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Restoration of a Four Volume Set of Classic Martial Arts Books!, October 14, 2008

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Shawn Kovacich" (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition (Hardcover)

Since I have previously written reviews on each of the four original paperback volumes, I am going to limit this review to the concept of putting all four paperback volumes into one hardback volume, rather than rehashing the contents of the book(s) since it is the same identical information in each version, although the hardback version has been nicely restored and improved, but more on that later.

I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about getting this book since I already owned the four paperback books (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Vol. 1: Self-Defense Techniques (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method), Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Vol. 2: Basic Training (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method), Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Vol. 3: Skill in Techniques (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method), and Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Vol. 4: Advanced Techniques (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method)) that were used to create this particular book, which encompasses all four paperback volumes into a single hardback volume.

However, after picking this book up and skimming through it I decided to purchase it. After getting home and sitting down to actually give it a more intense scrutiny, I realized that although I had the same exact information in my four old paperbacks that were contained in this single hardback, the publishers had done an outstanding job at restoring the photographs and improving the layout of text and photographs in such a way that it really showed a noticeable improvement in the information provided in this hardback version compared to the individual four paperback versions.

Now I know that you are asking yourself if you really need to get this book since you already have the four paperback versions. Same exact question I asked myself before I eventually purchased this book. If you would allow me a few moments, I would like to give you my reasons why you should purchase this book.

1. Due to the publishers taking a considerable amount of time to restore the photographs and improve the layout and text, this version actually makes it a bit easier to comprehend and retain the information provided within it. Trust me on this one, I actually pulled out my old paperback books and compared them to this one, and this one wins hands down.

2. The hardback version is quite a bit larger than the paperback versions and therefore, making the photographs themselves a bit larger which in turn makes the entire book a lot easier to read.

3. All four paperback volumes are now in one single hardback version which makes it not only more convenient to read, but also should make the book last a lot longer than its previous multiple paperback versions.

4. From a collectors standpoint, having the hardback version to reference frequently will save a lot of wear and tear on your original paperback copies.

If you would like to read my reviews of each of the original four paperback volumes, feel free to click on their respective links at the beginning of this review and then search for the reviews I have written on each one.

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Creator of numerous books and DVD's.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Collector's Book, October 28, 2008

By 

K.H. - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition (Hardcover)

I remember buying these four volume paperback sets in the late 70's. Back then Bruce Lee was my favorite martial artists (with Bill Wallace and Benny Urquidez immediately following). I wanted to fight like Bruce, kia like Bruce, and be a hero like Bruce.

Well, I am not really going to critique this book as a martial arts instruction text, except to briefly note, that while at first glance it may appear to be a primer, there is more written material here then the average primer, which are often nothing more than picture books. Yet, there are some faults, but it must be remembered the time it was written and photographed (1966-1967). It was a huge step-up from Bruce's first book on Gung Fu. Here Bruce is concerned with the application of technique more then technique itself.

Essential topics like power and speed training are discussed (a way ahead of its time). Topics such as speed are re-addressed in other chapters, showing the synthesis of the material presented. Unlike most primers, many definitions of speed are presented and tactics are discussed.

The self-defense volume is the weakness. Some techniques are tried and true, but others are not. There is a forward from Bruce's daughter, Sharon Lee and an introduction by co-author and Black Belt Magazine founder, M. Uyehara.

Functionally, this book should outlast the paperback versions. The binding appears to be terrific. The hard cover should provide a sturdy book for use, travel, and overuse. Like Shawn has noted, the page sizes is larger than its paperback predecessors, making for larger print and photos, in addition to an all around better lay-out.

If you were or are a Bruce Lee fan, then get this book. If not, there is still much to appreciate and learn from and it fits well in any martial artist's library.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Posthumous Work, January 7, 2009

By 

J. Peacock "True and Devoted Martial Artist" (FL, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition (Hardcover)

I got this as a Christmas present. I was so happy with it I read the entire thing in only a few days. I have now bought Tao of Jeet Kune Do to accompany it, of which I also recommend highly

Since the contents of this book is outlined by others who have written reviews, I'll keep this short and to-the-point. Lee was a genius, and this posthumous publication of his notes and pictures shows his revolutionary take on modern martial arts and actual, efficient and no-nonsense self-defense.

Ironically, the self-defense section is riddled with dangerous and unrealistic methods of defending yourself. His overuse of the stopping side kick is one weakness--but its nice to see how his Taekwondo training with Jhoon Rhee shows through (I myself studied TKD for years and admit that the stopping sidekick is very useful in certain situations) and gives a good name to an otherwise disrespected style. Other than that, this book (or rather, collection of books) is perfect. The formatting is a dream and the pictures are big and beautifully clear.

I would definitely recommend this book to any and all dedicated martial artist with an open mind or a interest in Jeet Kune Do. I would not, however, recommend it to a non-martial artist or untrue, insincere followers of the Martial Way.