Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8597 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 450 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780897501705
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author

Customer Reviews

Very Nice Restoration of a Four Volume Set of Classic Martial Arts Books!
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/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

A Nice Collector's Book
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.

Great Posthumous Work
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.