Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method: The Complete Edition – Book Review

Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method is an excellent illustration of the various techniques and skills that Bruce Lee mastered. Originally this was released as a series of books, but now it is available in one handy volume. It also features updated photographs, a new chapter written by Ted Wong (one of Bruce’s students) and a new introduction by Lee’s daughter, Shannon Lee.

Bruce Lee was a legendary martial artist, both on screen and off. Unlike many martial artists that appear on screen today, his was a trained fighter, not just a choreographer. He believed in removing form from martial arts, and to use any techniques that worked, and this is the basis of his method, Jeet Kune Do. This book covers all aspects of journey, from his martial arts workouts, his complimentary weight training, research, and his philosophy.

The four individual volumes are:

Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method, Vol. 1: Self-Defense Techniques
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method, Vol. 2: Basic Training
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method, Vol. 3: Skill in Techniques
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method, Vol. 4: Advanced Techniques

One of the best features of this new hardback version is that the photographs have been restored to such a great level of detail. The book looks fresh, as if it was written this year, and not in the late 1970’s. The publishers have created a new layout and positioned illustrations and text in such a way that it is easier to follow Bruce’s line of thought and understand his principals and techniques than it was in the first editions. Although Bruce Lee’s methods have not been changed, the quality of the publishing industry has. This is what makes this new hardback edition such a treat. It is now even easier to learn Bruce Lee’s methods from his writings and illustrations than ever before!

This book is essential in any martial artists collection. Just as Bruce Lee combined the best parts of many different systems to create his own, his methods and understanding of human anatomy and fighting can benefit all martial artists.