Tao of Jeet Kune Do (Paperback)

~ (Author) "To obtain enlightenment in martial art means the extinction of everything which obscures the "true knowledge," the "real life..." (more)
Key Phrases: hooking heel kick, outside guard position, leading finger jab, Hook Kick, Rear Cross (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To watch Bruce Lee on film is an amazing experience. Those who have read Tao of Jeet Kune Do, however, know that Lee's prose can also be exhilarating. This praiseworthy and enduring bestseller (mainly written over six months when Lee was bedridden with back problems) compiles philisophical aphorisms, explanations on technique, and sketches by the master himself.

Product Description

This is Bruce Lee’s treatise on his martial art, jeet kune do. This international best seller includes the philosophy of jeet kune do, mental and physical training, martial qualities, attack, and strategy. BEST SELLER!

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Ohara Publications, Inc.; Reprint edition (October 1, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897500482
• ISBN-13: 978-0897500487
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (179 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,903 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #4 in	Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Martial Arts
  #27 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Exercise & Fitness

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, November 9, 2000

By	Loren w Christensen (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had the opportunity to see Bruce Lee in action at an East Coast karate tournament in 1969. He wasn't competing but was there as a celebrity guest.

I stood with others at the back of the tournament hall and listened in awe as he talked about having just finished filming Marlow and his plans to leave soon for Hong Kong to begin filming a movie.

Later, I watched him warm-up a great tournament fighter named Luis Delgado. Lee's speed was absolutely incredible. His backfist was nearly imperceptible and his footwork for closing the gap was a blur.

What a loss to the martial arts world that he left us so soon. But we still have this book of his notes. It a wonderful bible, if you will, that will make any martial artist look at his own training to see how some of Lee's ideas can fit.

There will always be the Jackie Chans and Jet Lis who will come along and dazzle us with their screen antics. But Bruce Lee was a seeker of knowledge, a true master of the fighting arts and philosophy. Some of it is in this wonderful book.

As an author of 13 books on the martial arts, I highly recommend this book for every MA library.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book written by the legend, December 16, 1999

By	Jakey D (Central New Jersey) - See all my reviews

Once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. Bruce Lee's philosophy and method of training is one of the best. The book helps you understand the art of Jeet Kune Do and the martial artist philosophy as well. Bruce explains how important it is to control your opponent and explains the techniques on how to do it, by proper timing, speed and technique. It is a must have in any martial artist's personal library.

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a MUST have for anyone - Martial artist or NOT!, February 16, 1999

By A Customer

I picked this book up from the local bookstore after sustaining a severe injury to my knee. I previously had not taken any real formal martial arts training or done any reading on the subject, however I always liked all of the funky stuff that these guys like Jackie Chan have done on the big screen. Anyways, while recovering I studied this book intensely and within the week I was so inspired to start training with what I had learned that I tossed the crutches aside and began walking. Well, pretty soon I was working to perfection all of the techniques and skills that I had learned plus accumulated several other martial arts books on other styles and I even started training like Bruce Lee!

To this day I wake up at 5:00 am every morning and work on flexiblity and abdominals before I go to school and I feel great! I recently purchased a punching bag to work on applying power to all my techniques as well!

In closing I would say that by reading this book it started a whole revolution in my life, and changed the way that I look at any situation in life. So I can only hope that it does for everyone else what it did for me.