Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Complete Edition

This hard back collectable book is a compilation of Bruce Lee's previous four paperback books from the "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method" series; 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) Bruce Lee's Fighting Method, Vol. 4: Advanced Techniques (Bruce Lee's Fighting Method) This book has been extensively reworked from the original editions. The photography has been improved dramatically and gives this volume a professional and quality feel, worthy of a respectable spot in your library. This book covers the hybrid mixed martial art Jeet Kun Do (JKD) founded by Lee. It incorporated the practical elements of Kung Fu, Wing Chun, boxing and interestingly fencing. The system fighting system was devised for self-defense and not competition. The techniques are brutally effective and straight forward; low-line kicks, gouges, stomps and other lethal methods. Like todays MMA's that employ various fighting skills to employ in the various combative ranges, Lee's JKD mirrors this requirement with his breakdown of his four ranges of combat (Kicking, Punching, Trapping and Grappling), with focus on smooth transitional skills to move back and forth through the fighting spectrum of combat ranges. JKD was designed to provide, rapid options in fluid combative situations. JKD teaches that the best defense is a strong offense, hence the principle of an "intercepting fist" very a kin to Wing Chun principles. Overall this fighting system is well rounded, but requires a significant amount of time to master, unlike the various military combatives available today, like Combato and Krav Maga. While I never was a Bruce Lee "groupie" I can respect his skills and accomplishments in combatives. JKD has proved to be a sound, advance self-defense system, and is demonstrated throughout this book. Now, I will also say, I do not agree with all of Lee's methods, a lot of which is focused on striking and the incorporation of high kicks which have no place in self-defense or combatives. This review is just one man's opine and I highly recommend this book to the novice and master marital artist for study and military combatives types for academic and historical study.

As a martial artist,( specifically karate practitioner), I’m very pleased with the information in this book. I’ve trained as a martial artist for over 30 years in a variety of disciplines. First in my heart is karate, and I’m always looking to improve. Highly recommended.

Bruce Lee was the greatest! I love this book and actually this is my second time buying it as after teaching my daughter from the book she took it with her,

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.

I have the original from the seventies. This edition has additional material which helps elaborate some of Bruce's teachings. This is a must have for any serious martial artist, not just for the information (which is a little dated, people do fight differently now, ironically due to his influence), but as link to the past. The world of martial arts would just be people in pajamas dancing around if it weren't for his teachings and influence. When I was younger I believed I was invincible since I was classically trained. I paid little attention to his idea of being a well rounded fighter and Bruce, being a product of the 60's counter culture, tended to express his ideas with that hippie-like style which made it seem esoteric. In high school, as a kickboxer, I began to see he was right. In college I was convinced, I learned judo and that opened a whole new world. In the seventies, striking was considered a high art, but in 'Enter the Dragon', his character won his match with a submission. Thirty years before MMA showed us he was right.

For JKD practitioners, this is a good read. A must have in a martial artist’s library. I think the book complements with Lee’s other book, Tao of Jeet Kune Do.

Apesar de ser todo em inglês, pra quem curte a obra de Lee, é um item indispensável pra coleção.

Zusammen mit „Tao of Jeet Kune Do“ das Vermächtnis eines Lebenswerks des größten Kampfkünstlers aus dem 20. Jh., de facto des wahrscheinlich besten und wahrhaftigsten Kampfkünstlers aller Zeiten, der physisch sowie mental absolut alles aus sich herausgeholt hat. Einer der sich, wie sein alter Lehrer im Wing Chun Stil - Yip Man, übrigens nie selbst so bezeichnet hat obwohl er sich seiner Fähigkeiten jederzeit voll bewusst war - soll ein wenig zum Nachdenken anregen, für sog. „Meister/Großmeister/Sifus/DaiSifus etc.“, die in bunten Kostümchen verkleidet, mit ihren konkurrierenden, ignoranten und völlig hochnäsig überzogenen "Organisationen/Dachverbänden/Akademien" mit Alleinigkeitsanspruch ihr Unwesen treiben und ahnungslosen Schülern für Traumtänzertechniken, Graduierungen und Phantasietitel das Geld aus der Tasche ziehen. Ich kann nur jedem Neuling oder noch unwissenden langjährigen Schüler empfehlen, solchen Schulen und deren Lehrern den Rücken zu kehren und lieber diese Bücher zu lesen, zu verstehen und ein wenig danach zu üben. In Originalsprache, uneingeschränkte Kaufempfehlung!

Excellent, complète fort bien la budothèque ; techniques claires, bien illustrées.

Great Read a lot of useful information for your serious martial artist. Keeping things simple. Very well written. Thank you!

If you love the old paper back series then this is perfect. I honestly like the paper backs better, but they were more expensive and this looks great, so as a gift - which was why I bought it - it works great. If you're a Bruce Lee fan and you unwrap your present to see a nicely bound version of Bruce Lee's Fighting Method then you have to be happy. Even if you have the old versions. This is one of those books that you put on a coffee table or a shelf and every man who visits your home will pick it up. I trust you know what the book is about because of the title and the fact that you're reading this. But I will just say that it is a pretty comprehensive - even if slightly dated - look at fighting and it is filled with sketches and things like that. It's a good book and if you ask me it couldn't hurt to own this. I know my future kids will go into ninja training hen they eventually find this book on my shelf.