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.

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.

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.

With many photos and some drawings (foot positions), it is very easy to understand how to move one’s body. I also have/read Tao of Jeet Kune Do, but this book is better for learning actual movements.

Got it for a friend! Just as described.

the book come in on time and it has been a long since I had be able to read it and it is nice that is the complete edition.

I have the original publications of the books that were combined to form this "Complete" edition. This book has all the important information and some extra commentary that is beneficial. In that respect, this was a great book and I do recommend it. However, the original works have poems written by Bruce Lee that provide a look into his thoughts and ideas. I absolutely love these poems. Unfortunately, they have been omitted from this compilation. The title should read, "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method: The Mostly Complete Edition". Still, this is a wonderful read and worth adding to your library.

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.