Bruce Lee's One and Three Inch Power Punch [Paperback]

James W. Demile (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Tao of Wing Chun Do; 12th edition (June 1994)
• ISBN-10: 0317616706
• ISBN-13: 978-0317616705
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,840,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth a Read, October 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bruce Lee's One and Three Inch Power Punch (Paperback)

Despite its small size, this book has a wealth of information on one of Bruce Lee's most famous techniques. If you want to learn Bruce Lee's One-Inch Punch, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Classical Wing Chun has a technique called the One-Inch Punch, but don't confuse it with the One-Inch Punch taught in this book. Throughout the book, the technique is refered to as the "Floating Punch" to avoid confusion. While the One-Inch Punch of classical Wing Chun is designed as a type of shocking blow, the Floating Punch is much more of a destructive blast.

In addition to showing the actual technique in depth, the book also covers the physical and mental development that helps maximize the potential of the punch. At around 30 pages, this book may seem rather thin, but every page is absolutely packed with valuable information. Anyone who _reads the instructions_ in this book and _spends some time practicing_ will develop a strong floating punch rather quickly.

At around five bucks, anyone can afford to put this book in their martial arts library.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much here., August 9, 2000

By 

"qyv" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruce Lee's 1 and 3 Inch Power Punch (Paperback)

This isn't really a book, but a pamphlet. James W. Demille, "one of Bruce Lee's original students," is writing about a technique which Bruce taught him called the Floating Punch. The entire pamphlet has a VERY short section on mental preparation for said technique, a slightly longer section on physical preparation, and finally, how to do the Floating Punch from a 1 inch stance and a 3 inch stance, as well as some brief advice on executing it at longer distances. I must say, I was a little surprised at how tiny this "book" is. Also, there isn't too much material- there are a lot of pictures, which I suppose are necessary, but the thing seems a lot shorter than 40 pages. I suppose that the pamphlet is exactly what it says, and nothing more- a cursory tutorial on execution of a technique which is apparently quite devastating if done properly. However, I disagree with the suggestion that this technique is a great idea for anybody to learn as a quick means of self-defense. If what Mr. Demille says about this technique's potency is true, then somebody with no martial arts experience is likely to hurt themselves pretty bad, as it seems to require a great deal of mental and physical discipline, a point which I don't feel is stressed enough. I won't say that this book is without value, but its limited subject matter and the level of ability required makes it a book that isn't for everyone.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bruce Lee's 1 and 3 Inch Power Punch (Paperback)

Great book to show how to do Bruce Lee's 1-inch punch. Covered are the mechanics and actual techniques of how to do the punch. Also shown is another variation - the 3-inch punch, which is alot stronger since you can generate more power. I think the book is excellent, and although it's not the "one" punch that can end all fights, it is a great punch to learn, even if only to learn to generate more power in your own punches. Currently taking Bruce Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) myself, I think it's a great asset to learn to do this punch, to learn how to incorporate it into my own fighting regime. Of course I wouldn't depend on it all the time, as Lee didn't do so either, but it is good to learn in case the opportunity arises where you can and/or have to apply it.