Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Book Review: Just what I wanted.
Summary: 5 Stars
Everything I expected and more.Book Review: An interesting read but not much more
Summary: 2 Stars
Lee's Tao of JKD has been heralded as a masterpiece. Perhaps at the time, it was the best that was available. However, with multiple readings, I always think of a comment made by Oscar Levant concerning Leonard Bernstein - something like "He exposes secrets that have been known to the world for hundreds of years."As Lee himself said, there is nothing new in this book. However, as a classical kung-fu student, I am repeatedly saddened by his "rejection" of classical technique for its "inefficiencies." It seems to me that Lee did not truly understand the depths available from his classical Wing Chun and rejected his roots to try to find something which he would have found if he had simply stayed. His expositions on "non-classicism" are the same expositions made by every single competent classical martial artist - make the techniqe your own; don't just follow the pattern.
For the Chinese style practitioners, this book may be read for its reconstruction of basic Wing Chun theory. Lee's JKD theory was simply Wing Chun plus some fencing and boxing terminology.
Some of his theories on body movement are good, but the more "modernized" ones simply show Lee's impatience by his emphasis on muscle development.
This is not to say that one cannot develop fast power by building muscle, but there are limits there that can only be surpassed by proper qigong training.
For the serious martial artist, this will be an interesting read. I do not recommend this for the beginner - there is some bad stuff mixed in with the good, and they will not have the sufficient wisdom to be able to weed it out.
Book Review: Excellent resource for Advanced Martial Artists
Summary: 5 Stars
As a Kenpo practitioner for 15+ years, I have found this text as an excellent source of "enlightenment". Lee's notes touch on a number of subjects relating to the physical and mental aspects of the combative arts. I find that when I review the text every 6 months to a year, I gain new insights and often utter an "Ah-Ha!". This will not teach you martial arts but it will enhance your understanding of theories from an outstanding practitioner. It's not a beginners book but certainly a must for instructors!Book Review: The Real Art of Fighting Without Fighting
Summary: 5 Stars
For those of you who wish to grasp an understanding of the man behind the myth, this book will take you along the most direct path. It shows in more ways than one why Bruce was a pure martial artist in the truest sense. His philosophy of fighting is a combination of many years of complete dedication and searching one's inner self to realise your full potential. Sadly, it was the same dedication and desire to achieve the impossible that lead to this extraordinary human beings demise. After studying the arts for 18 years, this still remains the best book on my shelf.Book Review: if you study martial arts you should have this book
Summary: 5 Stars
Noone doubts that Mr. Lee was a master of the fighting arts... His philosophy of getting rid of that which is useless and adding that which will improve an art is seen documented in this book. the overall message of the book is that you should find what works for you and continually adjust your style to enhance your fighting ability. it should ne noted that Bruce's original style was Wing Chun. this book is an incomplete work. the reader has to piece together the ideas in the book which are in a random hodge podge fashion. If you are a serious martial artist I recommend this book very strongly to help spark the more well rounded martial artist in you. :)