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Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America
In the spring of 1959, eighteen-year-old Bruce Lee returned to San Francisco, the city of his birth. Although the martial arts were widely unknown in America, Bruce encountered a robust fight culture in the Bay Area, populated with talented and trailblazing practitioners such as Lau Bun, Chinatown’s aging kung fu patriarch; Wally Jay, the innovative Hawaiian jujitsu master; and James Lee, the Oakland street fighter. Regarded by some as a brash loudmouth and by others as a dynamic visionary, Bruce spent his first few years back in America advocating for a modern approach to the martial arts, and showing little regard for the damaged egos left in his wake.
The year of 1964 would be an eventful one for Bruce, in which he would broadcast his dissenting worldview before the first great international martial arts gathering, and then defend it by facing down Wong Jack Man—Chinatown’s young kung fu ace—in a legendary behind-closed-doors showdown. These events were a catalyst to the dawn of martial arts in America and a prelude to an icon.
Based on over one hundred original interviews, Striking Distance chronicles Bruce Lee’s formative days amid the heated martial arts proving ground that thrived on San Francisco Bay in the early 1960s.
The year of 1964 would be an eventful one for Bruce, in which he would broadcast his dissenting worldview before the first great international martial arts gathering, and then defend it by facing down Wong Jack Man—Chinatown’s young kung fu ace—in a legendary behind-closed-doors showdown. These events were a catalyst to the dawn of martial arts in America and a prelude to an icon.
Based on over one hundred original interviews, Striking Distance chronicles Bruce Lee’s formative days amid the heated martial arts proving ground that thrived on San Francisco Bay in the early 1960s.
264 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2016
12 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Charles Russo
11 books1 followerCharles Russo is an award-winning journalist who lives in San Francisco.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 6, 2017
While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is institutionally responsible for mixed martial arts' incredible growth in popularity over the past two decades, perhaps no one individual was more instrumental in laying the groundwork for our collective curiosity and enthusiasm than film star Bruce Lee.
In Striking Distance, author Charles Russo examines Lee's role in shaping the evolution of martial arts over the course of several decades. Primarily focused on the martial arts revolution occurring in the San Francisco Bay Area throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Russo showcases the myriad of prominent martial artists and instructors (including Lee) who made that era in that place such a significant and pivotal part of martial arts' transformation and expansion.
This history in these pages is fascinating. Readers are given a real sense of the Bay Area, its culture, and the social challenges of the time. Russo nicely balances martial arts history with social history, covering a wide spectrum of martial arts philosophy (e.g. Which style is best? What is the ultimate purpose of studying martial arts? Should martial arts be taught to non-Chinese athletes?).
The book also showcases some of the broader artistic endeavors within the Bay Area's Chinese community (Russo often speaks of significant theatrical and musical performances) and gives a brief overview of some of the racial tensions at play within the community and the country as a whole. This combined history is not just compelling, but impressively well-researched; Russo has a combined 60 pages of notes and bibliography at the end of the text, demonstrating his exhaustive efforts to accurately portray this historic chapter.
As for Lee himself, the picture drawn throughout these pages is of a fascinating, charismatic young man. His athletic talent, confirmed through Russo's retelling of several detailed anecdotes, is noteworthy. But perhaps more remarkable was Lee's confidence and determination. Considered by many in the Bay Area martial arts scene to be "cocky, hyperactive, and outspoken," Lee, despite then being only in his early twenties, passionately believed he could change the study of martial arts for the better.
Having assessed that the vast majority of marital arts training was simply impractical and too focused on forms that would never be useful in an actual confrontation, Lee hoped to perfect a style of fighting that was efficient and valuable: the kind of fighting you could use to win a street fight. His was ultimately an "integrated fighting approach" that drew upon aspects of various combat sets – very much the precursor to today's mixed martial arts.
Lee's boisterous selling of this style provides some of the most memorable moments of the book. The young athlete so deeply believed in the product he sold all over the Bay Area that he openly and repeatedly admonished all other styles. Understandably, many of the martial arts masters within the community did not take kindly to Lee's words. Feelings of disrespect and resentment grew from many of his elders who, like Lee, truly believed in the styles they taught and took great offense when Lee referred to their own styles as classical nonsense and the masters themselves as "old tigers" who "have no teeth."
After years of tension, the war over styles eventually boiled over into an actual, physical fight between Lee and a representative of another camp. The fight – also detailed by Russo – has since become the stuff of legend.
For anyone interested in learning more about the origins of martial arts in this country, Striking Distance is a tremendous read. The stories from the Bay Area during the 1950s and 1960s are engrossing, exciting, and even humorous. Throughout the book, Russo makes it clear how truly significant the Bay Area's masters were in building a foundation of martial arts in this country.
To those who simply want to learn more about the films of Bruce Lee and their role in propelling martial arts into the national consciousness – I must concede that this is not the book for you. Although Bruce Lee's name is displayed prominently on the book's cover, the scope of the book (while quite large) focuses most of its attention to the years during which Bruce Lee was in his late teens and early twenties. While not a problem for this reviewer, the narrative ends just as Bruce Lee travels to Hollywood to begin his film career, cutting short what many readers might expect to be the main thrust of the book's narrative. However, if you love Bruce Lee, love martial arts, or – better yet – love both, I can't recommend Striking Distance enough.
In Striking Distance, author Charles Russo examines Lee's role in shaping the evolution of martial arts over the course of several decades. Primarily focused on the martial arts revolution occurring in the San Francisco Bay Area throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Russo showcases the myriad of prominent martial artists and instructors (including Lee) who made that era in that place such a significant and pivotal part of martial arts' transformation and expansion.
This history in these pages is fascinating. Readers are given a real sense of the Bay Area, its culture, and the social challenges of the time. Russo nicely balances martial arts history with social history, covering a wide spectrum of martial arts philosophy (e.g. Which style is best? What is the ultimate purpose of studying martial arts? Should martial arts be taught to non-Chinese athletes?).
The book also showcases some of the broader artistic endeavors within the Bay Area's Chinese community (Russo often speaks of significant theatrical and musical performances) and gives a brief overview of some of the racial tensions at play within the community and the country as a whole. This combined history is not just compelling, but impressively well-researched; Russo has a combined 60 pages of notes and bibliography at the end of the text, demonstrating his exhaustive efforts to accurately portray this historic chapter.
As for Lee himself, the picture drawn throughout these pages is of a fascinating, charismatic young man. His athletic talent, confirmed through Russo's retelling of several detailed anecdotes, is noteworthy. But perhaps more remarkable was Lee's confidence and determination. Considered by many in the Bay Area martial arts scene to be "cocky, hyperactive, and outspoken," Lee, despite then being only in his early twenties, passionately believed he could change the study of martial arts for the better.
Having assessed that the vast majority of marital arts training was simply impractical and too focused on forms that would never be useful in an actual confrontation, Lee hoped to perfect a style of fighting that was efficient and valuable: the kind of fighting you could use to win a street fight. His was ultimately an "integrated fighting approach" that drew upon aspects of various combat sets – very much the precursor to today's mixed martial arts.
Lee's boisterous selling of this style provides some of the most memorable moments of the book. The young athlete so deeply believed in the product he sold all over the Bay Area that he openly and repeatedly admonished all other styles. Understandably, many of the martial arts masters within the community did not take kindly to Lee's words. Feelings of disrespect and resentment grew from many of his elders who, like Lee, truly believed in the styles they taught and took great offense when Lee referred to their own styles as classical nonsense and the masters themselves as "old tigers" who "have no teeth."
After years of tension, the war over styles eventually boiled over into an actual, physical fight between Lee and a representative of another camp. The fight – also detailed by Russo – has since become the stuff of legend.
For anyone interested in learning more about the origins of martial arts in this country, Striking Distance is a tremendous read. The stories from the Bay Area during the 1950s and 1960s are engrossing, exciting, and even humorous. Throughout the book, Russo makes it clear how truly significant the Bay Area's masters were in building a foundation of martial arts in this country.
To those who simply want to learn more about the films of Bruce Lee and their role in propelling martial arts into the national consciousness – I must concede that this is not the book for you. Although Bruce Lee's name is displayed prominently on the book's cover, the scope of the book (while quite large) focuses most of its attention to the years during which Bruce Lee was in his late teens and early twenties. While not a problem for this reviewer, the narrative ends just as Bruce Lee travels to Hollywood to begin his film career, cutting short what many readers might expect to be the main thrust of the book's narrative. However, if you love Bruce Lee, love martial arts, or – better yet – love both, I can't recommend Striking Distance enough.
September 1, 2024
The chronology of the book was a mess. However, the book was a decent read. It was very interesting information. I kind of wish that he went in to more detail with some of the events, especially the establishment of Martial Arts in America before and after Bruce Lee.
September 1, 2019
This book is a surprisingly well told story of San Francisco's Chinatown in 1964 and the rise of martial arts in America (for the most part). It is an enjoyable story that comes in at a brisk (and padded) 150 pages. It would make a great movie. Those seeking a history of Martial Arts in America or a biography of Bruce Lee should look elsewhere.
April 14, 2022
A good overview of the impact and innovation of Bruce Lee and how martial arts “hitL the Bay Area of America in the early 60s.
July 30, 2023
Social history of the emergence of martial arts on the west coast of America. Heavily focussed on Chinese disciplines and weaving in Bruce Lee's story. It has some very interesting stories and potted histories of styles, but does suffer from a structure that skips back and forth in time too much.
August 22, 2020
A fantastically researched and highly entertaining book on one of the most exciting chapters in modern martial arts history. Highly recommended to any practitioner!
April 4, 2018
This was a great read on the history of martial arts in the United States and about Bruce Lee's early life. The book covers a short period of time from 1959 to 1972, but it covers it in detail.
It is a well-researched history with a lot of detail about how martial arts moved from a closed community to a much broader one. It does this without posturing or postulating about one martial art being better than another. There are plenty of notes and references to point to the sources of information in the book.
The social history of the Chinese community is fascinating. The restrictions on who could study the martial arts and resistance to teaching people outside of the community led to conflicts and made Bruce Lee a lightning rod. A group coalesced around Bruce Lee and worked on incorporating lessons from other sources like boxing into the Kung Fu systems they had.
In the book. Russo writes about James Yimm Lee, who trained in kung fu and wrote books and published martial arts books by other authors. He wrote a book entitled "Wing Chun Kung Fu" in which he talks about other instructors who focused only on forms. Russo's book talks about how this is a swipe at some of the other instructors active in Oakland California at other times. It was a connection to another book on my shelf that I enjoyed.
The other part of the story that I enjoyed were some descriptions of Bruce Lee doing demos and being less than a perfect fighting machine. Seeing his development makes his biography more accessible. There is also a description of his challenge fight with Wong Jack Man.
This is not a technique book, but if you are interested in Bruce Lee or the history of martial arts in America, this is a book you can't miss.
It is a well-researched history with a lot of detail about how martial arts moved from a closed community to a much broader one. It does this without posturing or postulating about one martial art being better than another. There are plenty of notes and references to point to the sources of information in the book.
The social history of the Chinese community is fascinating. The restrictions on who could study the martial arts and resistance to teaching people outside of the community led to conflicts and made Bruce Lee a lightning rod. A group coalesced around Bruce Lee and worked on incorporating lessons from other sources like boxing into the Kung Fu systems they had.
In the book. Russo writes about James Yimm Lee, who trained in kung fu and wrote books and published martial arts books by other authors. He wrote a book entitled "Wing Chun Kung Fu" in which he talks about other instructors who focused only on forms. Russo's book talks about how this is a swipe at some of the other instructors active in Oakland California at other times. It was a connection to another book on my shelf that I enjoyed.
The other part of the story that I enjoyed were some descriptions of Bruce Lee doing demos and being less than a perfect fighting machine. Seeing his development makes his biography more accessible. There is also a description of his challenge fight with Wong Jack Man.
This is not a technique book, but if you are interested in Bruce Lee or the history of martial arts in America, this is a book you can't miss.
February 21, 2021
n the spring of 1959, eighteen-year-old Bruce Lee returned to San Francisco, the city of his birth. Although the martial arts were widely unknown in America, Bruce encountered a robust fight culture in the Bay Area, populated with talented and trailblazing practitioners such as Lau Bun, Chinatown’s aging kung fu patriarch; Wally Jay, the innovative Hawaiian jujitsu master; and James Lee, the Oakland street fighter. Regarded by some as a brash loudmouth and by others as a dynamic visionary, Bruce spent his first few years back in America advocating for a modern approach to the martial arts, and showing little regard for the damaged egos left in his wake.
The year of 1964 would be an eventful one for Bruce, in which he would broadcast his dissenting worldview before the first great international martial arts gathering, and then defend it by facing down Wong Jack Man—Chinatown’s young kung fu ace—in a legendary behind-closed-doors showdown. These events were a catalyst to the dawn of martial arts in America and a prelude to an icon.
A history of the martial arts in the states as well as Chinese immigration and Chinatown, and changing attitudes. It shows the progressive thinking of those in the martial arts arena and the defensive thought of the old masters. It shows Bruce's frustration with himself and his evolving thoughts and works, his belief in the individual. It was a very good read and I think would be a reminder that no matter what some think or what the sport looks like today, even Bruce had a solid foundation to build off of being trained in Wing Chun by IP Man.
The year of 1964 would be an eventful one for Bruce, in which he would broadcast his dissenting worldview before the first great international martial arts gathering, and then defend it by facing down Wong Jack Man—Chinatown’s young kung fu ace—in a legendary behind-closed-doors showdown. These events were a catalyst to the dawn of martial arts in America and a prelude to an icon.
A history of the martial arts in the states as well as Chinese immigration and Chinatown, and changing attitudes. It shows the progressive thinking of those in the martial arts arena and the defensive thought of the old masters. It shows Bruce's frustration with himself and his evolving thoughts and works, his belief in the individual. It was a very good read and I think would be a reminder that no matter what some think or what the sport looks like today, even Bruce had a solid foundation to build off of being trained in Wing Chun by IP Man.
November 9, 2019
A too short, but detailed account of Lee’s arrival and relationship with the martial arts community around San Francisco.
But the real story is neither his infamous fight between schools, Los Angeles nor even Lee himself; but the slow assembly of martial artists teaching outside the Chinese community, and thereby opening up the arts to new and creative influences. Into this picture steps James Lee, Ed Parker and his Long beach tournament, and of course Bruce Lee.
A refreshing insight into Lee during a crucial period in which he had not aspirations for film or cine, just a passion to help push the martial arts up to the next evolutionary step.
But the real story is neither his infamous fight between schools, Los Angeles nor even Lee himself; but the slow assembly of martial artists teaching outside the Chinese community, and thereby opening up the arts to new and creative influences. Into this picture steps James Lee, Ed Parker and his Long beach tournament, and of course Bruce Lee.
A refreshing insight into Lee during a crucial period in which he had not aspirations for film or cine, just a passion to help push the martial arts up to the next evolutionary step.
May 26, 2023
Really great blend of martial arts history & Bruce Lee biography - does well in demonstrating their interdependence.
But the best part, for me, was the non-mythologized account of Lee’s life, without resorting to excessive polemic or reductionism.
He couldn’t outrun a bullet or beat 10 men, but he also wasn’t just a pretty boy who never actually fought or competed.
His philosophy wasn’t simply, “blend arts together,” as so many of us have latched onto (I mean if you’re an MMA fan it’s obligatory that you think that), though that was a big part of it. Authentic self-expression was the goal, and unarmed combat was the medium.
Great stuff, I loved it.
But the best part, for me, was the non-mythologized account of Lee’s life, without resorting to excessive polemic or reductionism.
He couldn’t outrun a bullet or beat 10 men, but he also wasn’t just a pretty boy who never actually fought or competed.
His philosophy wasn’t simply, “blend arts together,” as so many of us have latched onto (I mean if you’re an MMA fan it’s obligatory that you think that), though that was a big part of it. Authentic self-expression was the goal, and unarmed combat was the medium.
Great stuff, I loved it.
June 7, 2017
An entertaining, but very narrow slice of biography on Bruce Lee's arrival in the U.S. and how he helped spread the trend of martial arts in America.
As a biography, it leaves a lot to be desired since it seems more is left out than in, but since it was an enjoyable read, I'll give it 3.5 stars (rounding up for my review since it was such a quick read).
The author just published an article which is a nice summary of the book that can be read here:
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article...
As a biography, it leaves a lot to be desired since it seems more is left out than in, but since it was an enjoyable read, I'll give it 3.5 stars (rounding up for my review since it was such a quick read).
The author just published an article which is a nice summary of the book that can be read here:
https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article...
August 9, 2023
Very nice historical perspective on the growth of martial arts in the US and the end of the Chinese Tong control concerning excluding non-Chinese from training at all.
The author traces some of the fighting styles back in history, but focuses on mainly 20th-Century San Francisco & Oakland as the center of US martial arts, interweaving Bruce Lee's impact on development of theses disciplines. There are some "accounts" of specific legendary "battles" Bruce Lee had with other fighters.
The author traces some of the fighting styles back in history, but focuses on mainly 20th-Century San Francisco & Oakland as the center of US martial arts, interweaving Bruce Lee's impact on development of theses disciplines. There are some "accounts" of specific legendary "battles" Bruce Lee had with other fighters.
May 5, 2018
I enjoyed the information and background on San Francisco China Town. The stories about Wally Jay and Leo Fong especially appealed to me due to my personal training experiences with each of them. GM Fong's "My Friend Bruce Lee" confirms the details. The book ends just prior to Bruce's Hollywood entrance, keeping the topics primarily focused on San Francisco and Oakland.
January 18, 2022
More than merely Bruce Lee. This is the history of the martial arts in the US and points to how Bruce got ideas from many others, such as, James Lee,Ed Parker, Dan Inosanto and Wally Jay. Like many iconic individuals Bruce wasnt Superman and codified his brand of martial arts with the influence of other great men.
December 15, 2022
I knew just about nothing about martial arts in America before reading this so that was pretty interesting. It is more about Bruce Lee within the larger context of the history of martial arts in America rather than a biography of Lee. It's funny. I think I kind of thought of martial arts as a sort of dance and didn't realize how much street fighting was a part of its early contemporary roots.
January 27, 2023
Intriguing but certain points of the author's really frustrated me, such as his claims that there were not any Asian Americans of the '60s and '70s who were concerned with social justice. Where on the contrary, Grace Lee Boggs and others have been doing the work for a very long time. RIP Grace Lee Boggs and Bruce Lee.
October 20, 2023
A rare Bruce Lee book where all the non-Bruce Lee coverage is more interesting than the main subject. Nearly all books about Bruuuuuuce have been rendered moot since the Bob Baker letters were published a few year ago. However, Russo's chapters on the early martial arts scene of San Francisco in the 1950s are worth reading.
June 29, 2024
A well-told account of modest scope--too modest, in fact.
Striking Distance
feels like the quality first part of a Bruce Lee biography, or alternately of the introduction of Chinese martial arts to America, but doesn't venture beyond its modest ambit, leaving the reader wishing for a bit more.
What is there is quite good, however.
What is there is quite good, however.
January 20, 2020
A sort of history behind the history
Goes far beyond Bruce Lee into the history of martial arts and Chinese culture in America
Builds many characters around Bruce Lee as the author tells the story of the steady growth of popularity of martial arts in America.
Both interesting and entertaining
Goes far beyond Bruce Lee into the history of martial arts and Chinese culture in America
Builds many characters around Bruce Lee as the author tells the story of the steady growth of popularity of martial arts in America.
Both interesting and entertaining
January 29, 2024
One of the best books written on Bruce Lee starting out in America in the late 1950's and early 60's. His thinking and development as a martial artists and the surrounding martial arts scene in San Francisco / Oakland (The bay area). Highly recommended!
May 25, 2017
easy read, just kind of slow. But a good book on the history of Bruce Lee.
September 7, 2017
An historic and anecdote filled account of the rise of martial arts on the West Coast through the mid 20th century.
July 29, 2020
Well researched
Fills in history of the Bay Area martial arts community of the 1960s and gives context to the impact Bruce Lee made in it when he came to America
Fills in history of the Bay Area martial arts community of the 1960s and gives context to the impact Bruce Lee made in it when he came to America
March 11, 2022
Interesting history lesson, and does Focus heavily on Bruce Lee but is - as the title says - the dawn of martial arts,- not a biography of Bruce Lee
May 7, 2023
Very informative. Puts Bruce Lee and the development of Jeet Kun Do in context and who his influences were.
March 23, 2024
A really interesting micro history of the development of kung fu California and the growth of Bruce Lee’s career. Recommend it as great starting point if interested in either topic.
April 11, 2024
This is pretty exhaustive, yet there is no unnecessary detail. The content is well chosen and always kept interesting.
August 14, 2016
When one thinks of Bruce Lee, one usually thinks of Hollywood and the movies that the martial arts superstar made that became hits in the United States. However, Lee was much more than just an actor – he was a key figure in bringing the sport of martial arts to mainstream American and making them popular. How Lee assisted some of the pioneers of the sport in the San Francisco is the subject of this well written book by Charles Russo.
This book should be considered a biography, as only a short period of Lee’s life is covered, an approximately five-year period in the early 1960’s. Nor should the book be considered a complete history or a guide to the sport as the book concentrates on the sport as taught and participated in the San Francisco area. But for the information that is written about, this book tells a complete picture and also lets the reader learn about some of the early pioneers of the sport.
Drawing upon extensive research and numerous interviews, the reader will learn about the teachings of various forms of martial arts. From the more popular and familiar forms like tai chi and ju jitsu and also some of the lesser known types as well. Pioneers such as T.Y.Wong, James Yim Lee (not related to Bruce) and Master Choy Kam Man are introduced to the reader.
Bruce Lee’s adventure from being a dancing instructor to an eager martial arts student to a champion in various tourneys is also well documented and a fascinating journey. Not only did Lee participate in martial arts, but he was also a boxer – a sport with a strong connection to martial arts for both training and performance as Russo frequently mentions.
Having little interest in either the sport of martial arts or the story of Bruce Lee before reading this book, it is one that any reader who is interested in any form of the sport should read. Enthusiasts will enjoy the detailed stories about the sport in the Bay area and novices like me will learn a lot as well.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
This book should be considered a biography, as only a short period of Lee’s life is covered, an approximately five-year period in the early 1960’s. Nor should the book be considered a complete history or a guide to the sport as the book concentrates on the sport as taught and participated in the San Francisco area. But for the information that is written about, this book tells a complete picture and also lets the reader learn about some of the early pioneers of the sport.
Drawing upon extensive research and numerous interviews, the reader will learn about the teachings of various forms of martial arts. From the more popular and familiar forms like tai chi and ju jitsu and also some of the lesser known types as well. Pioneers such as T.Y.Wong, James Yim Lee (not related to Bruce) and Master Choy Kam Man are introduced to the reader.
Bruce Lee’s adventure from being a dancing instructor to an eager martial arts student to a champion in various tourneys is also well documented and a fascinating journey. Not only did Lee participate in martial arts, but he was also a boxer – a sport with a strong connection to martial arts for both training and performance as Russo frequently mentions.
Having little interest in either the sport of martial arts or the story of Bruce Lee before reading this book, it is one that any reader who is interested in any form of the sport should read. Enthusiasts will enjoy the detailed stories about the sport in the Bay area and novices like me will learn a lot as well.
I wish to thank University of Nebraska Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
http://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/201...
January 30, 2017
Bruce Lee has quite the local connection to Seattle, having met his wife here while attending the University of Washington. He is also buried here at the Lakeview Cemetery next to his son Brandon.
I have always admired Bruce Lee - not only because of his good looks and charm
I have always admired Bruce Lee - not only because of his good looks and charm
December 5, 2017
Meticulously researched, grippingly written, exhaustively annotated. An excellent reference for those interested in the genesis of martial arts in America or simply a great story for those who want to read about a famous Bruce Lee fight. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews