Tao of Jeet Kune Do
by Bruce Lee
Ohara Publications
Like the myth of the dragon in Chinese life and literature, the Bruce Lee legend is steeped in mystery. This book - said to be the world's best-selling on martial arts - offers a glimpse into Lee's probing mind.
Lee's guide only surfaced after his sudden, painkiller-related death in Hong Kong in 1973, aged 32. Compiled from his notes and essays, Tao of Jeet Kune Do explains the 'science' and philosophy behind the free-form style Lee invented: jeet kune do ('the way of the intercepting fist'), which revolves around minimal movement and extreme speed.
Lee comes across as highly intelligent in Tao of Jeet Kune Do. its perfectionist self-improvement slant bringing to mind the modern American productivity guru, Tim Ferriss - except Ferriss is a pacifist.
Tao of Jeet Kune Do centres on ways to defeat the enemy through power and guile, a la The Art of War: 'With the chin dropped and pinned tight to the collarbone, the muscles and bone structure are in the best possible alignment and only the top of the head is presented to the opponent, making it impossible to be hit on the point of the chin,' Lee writes.
The tip - a potted guide on how to dodge being knocked out - is 'textbook' classic instruction. Ditto Lee's observation about how to execute the rear cross punch. 'Because the rear cross is a long-range blow, to be effective it must be delivered straight as an arrow, fast as a shot and completely without warning. The most important part of the cross is to cultivate a delivery speed so, when you strike, the damage is done before your opponent realises it.