Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee
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Book Reviews of Tao of Jeet Kune Do
Book Review: A few comments
Summary: 5 Stars
One thing that struck me right away about Lee's approach in this book (as well as most of his others) is how he spends as much or maybe even more time discussing strategy and other advanced principles rather than specific techniques. This is because Lee expected those who read his books to at least have mastered the basics of blocking, punching, and kicking before trying to learn the more advanced technical and strategy principles.
For example, although the chapter on "Tools," in which he discusses the techniques, is 40 pages long, the chapter on "Qualities" is 38 pages, in which he discusses various principles like speed, power, timing, and so on, and the "Attack" chapter is 36 pages, which is 74 pages right there, and doesn't include the other similar chapters in the book.
There is so much material here that it's hard to summarize, but I enjoyed many things about it, such as the little technical tips like, "The essence of any hook is that the striker raises his elbow at the last possible moment when swinging, to attack strategies, such as "Do not hurl yourself at your oponent, but gain and maintain distance in a calm and precise manner." And also "Nothing bothers an adversary more than variety in both attack and defense."
The cover says that the book has sold over 750,000 copies in 9 languages, an interesting statistic. (I'm surprised it's not over a million). In addition to Lee's thoughts and notes on technique and advanced strategy, there is even an extensive illustration of grappling and ground techniques and holds and locks, an interesting technique area by itself that has gotten more attention in recent years. Bruce shows that he was ahead of his time in integrating this with JDK decades ago.
Lee also makes the important point that in JKD there is almost no, if any, direct attack--they are all indirect after a feint or as a counter-punch or technique--but that requires the ability to draw out an opponent, out-maneuver him, and a scientific approach.
Another nice technical point he makes is, "In all hand techniques, the hand moves first, proceding the foot. Keep this in mind--hand before foot--always."
I find this interesting in that in tai chi and some kung fu, the foot is expected to be just as fast as the hand and to move in synchrony with it--as difficult or as impossible as that may seem.
Bruce Lee only wrote six books, but if there's a bible of JDK this is it, and is probably essential reading for any JKD or any other martial artist interested in Lee and his ideas and what made him so great.
Book Review: Defense via Streamlined Interception +++
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhaps an approach to summing-up Jeet Kune Do [JKD] would be "defense via streamlined interception". Bruce Lee explored many Eastern, Western [and other] older and newer Arts of self-defense, found what was useful via theory and action, and creatively developed it into "defense via streamlined interception". This MOST-PRIMARY JKD neo-classic, "Tao of Jeet Kune Do", introduces an approach to JKD. This JKD seems in direct contrast to the on-screen movement of Bruce Lee that is wild, complex or convoluted. Yet, even on-screen we get to see some actual JKD.
Way before it was generally popular, Bruce Lee developed Jeet Kune Do from Western-and-Eastern, "kickboxing"-and-"grappling" and newer-and-older self-defense Arts -- as this unique work shows. Bruce Lee was a philosophy follower as well -- exploring and using wisdom from Eastern and Western philosophies -- especially in Jeet Kune do. "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" seems both technically spot-on and metaphysically informative -- with rare usage of sharply consistant strategy [defense via streamlined interception].
I feel that my own quiet modest path has gone in a direction much like Jeet Kune Do. My own quiet modest [very small] Kenpo Art is an offspring of a "Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu" Art [which blended Kosho Ryu Kempo with some Jiujitsu, Aikido, Judo and Arnis -- in Hawaii]. Yet, later, I have become inspired to blend-in quite a bit of Fencing, Savate and Boxing [old-and-new] as well as quite a bit of Tibetan White Crane, Isshinryu Karate, Shotokan Karate and Kenpo Karate, followed by Jiu Jitsu Complete [Kitoryu Jujutsu and Kodokan Judo].
All along I have tried to "keep-it-simple-stupid" -- ending-up with only a few Kata with only a few moves in each -- to guide all movement -- closely following a certain simple strategy. It seems very difficult [but very necessary] to keep streamlining -- while getting angles sufficient to counter versus likely attacks. It would seem far easier to just throw together a bunch of moves, Kata or Arts in an attempt to have a huge hoard of movements versus most any attacks -- but, most surely, losing way more than is gained -- due to complex, cluttered and convoluted lack-of-streamlining [therefore slowed ackward reaction]. So, I have to deeply admire Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do and "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" +++
Book Review: Belongs in Every Serious Martial Artist's Library!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book could almost be called the New Testament of martial arts. Truly one of the seminal works of all martial arts writings. There is an initial chapter about zen, jeet kune do and the philosophical approach to his art, while the remainder of the book focuses on techniques, strategy and mechanics of training and fighting. This book was also influential in writing my book, The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts an in Life!
Jeet Kune Do is the art of no art. There is no set curriculum as he calls it, "the formless form". In constrast, traditional martial arts systems are rich and rigid in form and specific technique backed by thoroughly developed concepts and principles.
Bruce Lee never seemed to find any practical value or purpose in kata, often referring to it as meaningless drill. I believe he may not have truly delved deeply enough into it to understand that while no one in their right mind would jump into a green-belt kata in the middle of a street self-defense situation, the individual movements learned through kata can be applied at will to deal with an attacker. The founder of Aikido even said that kata should be practiced so that it could be forgotten. The goal of all martial arts, including Jeet Kune Do is to mature to a point where movement is spontaneous. Forethought becomes reaction, form becomes formlessness and your actions are dictated by your opponent's responses.
Regardless of whether you approach this goal through a rigid, forms-based system of martial arts or through Bruce Lee's formless system, the principles and analytical approach that he presents provide a wealth of technical detail and are enough to keep you busy learning, practicing and interpreting his writing for a lifetime!
I highly recommend this book. To omit it from your martial arts studies is a serious error no matter what style you study. Open your mind; clear your mind and then fill it with the contents of this book.
Enjoy!
Kevin Brett is the CEO of Kevin Brett Studios, Inc. and the author of The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!
The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!
Book Review: Bruce Lee could hit twice as hard as a man twice his size.
Summary: 5 Stars
The principle of acquiring speed:
"Speed in fighting depends not just on your hands and feet in swiftness, but other attributes such as nontelegraphic moves and awareness. Speed in fighting is to hit your foe without yourself being hit. This can only be done by hours of practice and being completely fit. Speed in fighting is not good without power that goes with it." Bruce Lee
A good fighter is one who can hit is opponent quicker, harder, without much perception, and yet avoid being hit. Within this sentence is the heart of speed training aspiration, the ability to hit with power, to strike effortlessly like water, and to become as evasive as a cat. Power and speed go hand in hand. Speed relies on economy of motion and learning speed should be done by experimenting with the finger jab and lead punch. The more hours you spend in speed hitting, the faster your hands will go. You must take your solitary training seriously. The leading straight is the backbone of JKD and is the main offensive weapon. Put some zip into the punch by snapping it just before impact, keep your hand loose and tighten it just before impact. The punch will have more power, if you put your hip into it by rotating on the ball of the lead foot and keeping the rear leg foot heel off the ground; giving a push like a spring.
Trusting the hand before the body incorporates the principles nontelegraphic aspects of fencing. By initiating your punch without tensing your shoulders the movement is not given away to the opponent. The punch should make contact and the hand snapping back when your body edges forward. Practice on perfecting the thrust punch during practice against someone, who will try to slap your punch, pull the punch a few inches before contact, too avoid injury. Move the principles of nontelegraphic punches into light sparring, practice opening and closing gaps and striking from any hand position using the principles of thrusting the punch.
Book Review: There is no better book on martial arts philosphy
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had my copy of this book for many years. I often refer to sections of it for advice and inspiration.While Lee's views on the arts may be controversial, I think that anyone who has studied the arts seriously [ this excludes the black belt factories ) can appreciate the philosophical tone of the work. Too many of us get too into dictated technique and form as well as tradition to appreciate Lee's theories.
Jeet Kune Do is the style that is not a style. One that is infinitely flexible and adaptable to the individual and the situation.
I have been a Bruce Lee fan for 30 years and while I have never had the honor of meeting him or personally seeing him in form, I have been inspired and awed by him.
The Tao of Jeet Kune Do is an inspired and original work and to me embodies the essense of the true martial artist.
They are called the "arts" for a reason. How poor would other arts be if all of the artists merely copied others - I don't mean inspired by others but COPIED others. By and large that is what the so-called kwoons teach these days.One way and one way only, for $$$$$ we guarantee a black belt in 14 months.
Arts by definition are intensly personal and open for interpretation. How rich would the world of culture be today if Michealangelo merely copied Davinci or Monet was discouraged to explore impressionism saying it was not "true art"?
Lee breaks new ground and we who study him are the richer for it.
I recommend this book to any one with a serious interest in the martial arts. Those of you unfortunates stuck in black belt factories please study this book; it will open a new world for you.