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Bruce Lee: A Life from Beginning to End
Bruce Lee * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. The name Bruce Lee is synonymous with martial arts superstar. Lee’s movie career was cut tragically short by his death aged just 32 years. Starring in six big release feature movies, Lee revolutionized martial arts movie making and challenged western prejudices against the east. Inside you will read about... ✓ Growing Up in Post-War Hong Kong ✓ A New Life in America ✓ The One-Inch Punch ✓ Jeet Kune Do, the Way of the Intercepting Fist ✓ Enter the Dragon ✓ Health Issues and Sudden Death And much more! Challenging the status quo of martial arts practice, Lee created his own unique system, Jeet Kune Do. More than a martial art, Jeet Kune Do is a philosophy for life that is founded on the art of fighting without fighting. Lee’s life may have been short, but it burned bright and continues to illuminate today.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2018
195 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 15, 2020
Very informative and intriguing!
Bruce Lee by Hourly History takes the reader on a walk through Bruce Lee's life from birth on. A remarkable and sad journey! Short life but in it was filled with many goals and unfortunately he will never know how much the world came to know and love his work!
Bruce Lee by Hourly History takes the reader on a walk through Bruce Lee's life from birth on. A remarkable and sad journey! Short life but in it was filled with many goals and unfortunately he will never know how much the world came to know and love his work!
January 27, 2021
I love short and concise books. Hourly History's short 36 page-reads feels like they were custom made to my taste. They are really informative and intriguing. They are like perfect appetizers, you finish the books yearning for more, you might even end up checking all the archives and other sources that they mention in the text.
I loved the book about Alan Turing and now this one about Bruce Lee too. My only qualm is a paradox. I was not satisfied at the end of the book. I just wanted the book to go on and on. :D
The first thing that used to come to my mind upon hearing the name 'Bruce Lee' is "martial arts" and faint glimpses of the movie "Enter the dragon." But I didn't know that Bruce Lee created his own hybrid version of martial arts - Jeet Kune Do. I loved reading about its philosophy especially thoughts like:
"The philosophy of Jeet Kune Do is one of openness and receptivity and its core belief is that the truth only exists outside all molds and patterns."
"Key to Jeet Kune Do is the ability to adapt to the constant changes of real combat with a living, breathing opponent."
"Be fluid and adaptable."
Lee's students trained in kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling while other's focused on only one or two of these things.
I knew he was a famous actor in Hollywood. But I didn't know that he started work as a child actor in the Hong Kong film industry. He has about 46 films to his credit, only 6 of them feature films he starred in as an adult. He was a trailblazer in more than one way - in the way he created his own martial arts philosophy, the way he fought endemic institutional racism in Hollywood and established himself as a superstar and icon, how he broke the Hollywood stereotypes about Asian people in general and Chinese people/ masculinity in particular. I felt that his life is a true inspiration.
Despite being bad at academics, Bruce Lee was a prolific writer. He has written many books about martial arts. He also worked as a writer-screenwriter for some of his movies. Can I just add that I loved all his quotes in this book? Jotting some of them here for my future reference:
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
“Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
“There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”
"A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, ‘I’ do not hit, ‘it’ hits all by itself.”
“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
“Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make.”
I loved the book about Alan Turing and now this one about Bruce Lee too. My only qualm is a paradox. I was not satisfied at the end of the book. I just wanted the book to go on and on. :D
The first thing that used to come to my mind upon hearing the name 'Bruce Lee' is "martial arts" and faint glimpses of the movie "Enter the dragon." But I didn't know that Bruce Lee created his own hybrid version of martial arts - Jeet Kune Do. I loved reading about its philosophy especially thoughts like:
"The philosophy of Jeet Kune Do is one of openness and receptivity and its core belief is that the truth only exists outside all molds and patterns."
"Key to Jeet Kune Do is the ability to adapt to the constant changes of real combat with a living, breathing opponent."
"Be fluid and adaptable."
Lee's students trained in kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling while other's focused on only one or two of these things.
I knew he was a famous actor in Hollywood. But I didn't know that he started work as a child actor in the Hong Kong film industry. He has about 46 films to his credit, only 6 of them feature films he starred in as an adult. He was a trailblazer in more than one way - in the way he created his own martial arts philosophy, the way he fought endemic institutional racism in Hollywood and established himself as a superstar and icon, how he broke the Hollywood stereotypes about Asian people in general and Chinese people/ masculinity in particular. I felt that his life is a true inspiration.
Despite being bad at academics, Bruce Lee was a prolific writer. He has written many books about martial arts. He also worked as a writer-screenwriter for some of his movies. Can I just add that I loved all his quotes in this book? Jotting some of them here for my future reference:
“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
“Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
“There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level.”
"A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, ‘I’ do not hit, ‘it’ hits all by itself.”
“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.”
“Art reaches its greatest peak when devoid of self-consciousness. Freedom discovers man the moment he loses concern over what impression he is making or about to make.”
April 22, 2024
Growing up as a kid in the late 80s and early 90s, martial arts and martial arts movies were really popular in among the kids in my African neighborhood. Jean-Claude van Damme and Jackie Chan were all really big. Back then I thought the popularity of martial arts was as "normal" as the popularity of James Bond, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and other more "conventional" action heroes who generally either used guns or just punched their opponents.
Of course now I realize that we were all swept up in the global martial arts craze that had started in the late 60s and that it's a bit interesting that this very stylized, culturally specific type of unarmed combat achieved such global popularity despite it being completely impractical. I mean, why bother fighting with your hands in a world where guns exist?
Of course, it's probably because it looks really cool and the people who were doing it looked like bad asses.
But in spite of being part of this craze I knew absolutely nothing about Bruce Lee. Like Pele, he was about 10 years before my time and it didn't help that there was no Netflix, YouTube, wikipedia or internet in general. And in Tanzania, video rentals didn't exist and most people didn't even have a TV or VCR, we would watch grainy bootlegged movies at the homes of the few people who had these technological marvels.
However, somehow, the local kids still KNEW of Bruce Lee and spoke of him with reverence. his speaks to the power of oral tradition and how stories used to be passed on much more by word of mouth in the pre-internet era.
So it was great to read this book and finally get an idea of who person who in some ways loomed large over my childhood and was basically a myth.
Some things that stood out to me:
(1) He died at 32, just before the release of his breakout movie
(2) His fighting style has similarities with MMA, emphasizing effectiveness and flexibility
(3) He faced racism when he tried to convince Hollywood to give him a lead role. Even today it's hard for Asian actors to get starring roles in big Hollywood movies.
(4) When I looked up clips of him, his jacked body and intense charisma stood out. Now I can understand why he was so influential. Whatever star quality is, he had it.
So overall I take his life as an example of how you can have a huge impact if you are willing to be original. Bruce Lee was one of several people who were knowledgeable about Chinese martial arts, but he was the only one able to bring it to a global audience, because he was willing to push something that was different.
Of course now I realize that we were all swept up in the global martial arts craze that had started in the late 60s and that it's a bit interesting that this very stylized, culturally specific type of unarmed combat achieved such global popularity despite it being completely impractical. I mean, why bother fighting with your hands in a world where guns exist?
Of course, it's probably because it looks really cool and the people who were doing it looked like bad asses.
But in spite of being part of this craze I knew absolutely nothing about Bruce Lee. Like Pele, he was about 10 years before my time and it didn't help that there was no Netflix, YouTube, wikipedia or internet in general. And in Tanzania, video rentals didn't exist and most people didn't even have a TV or VCR, we would watch grainy bootlegged movies at the homes of the few people who had these technological marvels.
However, somehow, the local kids still KNEW of Bruce Lee and spoke of him with reverence. his speaks to the power of oral tradition and how stories used to be passed on much more by word of mouth in the pre-internet era.
So it was great to read this book and finally get an idea of who person who in some ways loomed large over my childhood and was basically a myth.
Some things that stood out to me:
(1) He died at 32, just before the release of his breakout movie
(2) His fighting style has similarities with MMA, emphasizing effectiveness and flexibility
(3) He faced racism when he tried to convince Hollywood to give him a lead role. Even today it's hard for Asian actors to get starring roles in big Hollywood movies.
(4) When I looked up clips of him, his jacked body and intense charisma stood out. Now I can understand why he was so influential. Whatever star quality is, he had it.
So overall I take his life as an example of how you can have a huge impact if you are willing to be original. Bruce Lee was one of several people who were knowledgeable about Chinese martial arts, but he was the only one able to bring it to a global audience, because he was willing to push something that was different.
April 6, 2021
Before picking up this story, I knew next-to-nothing about Bruce Lee. However, this is a fascinating (though short) story about a uniquely talented man. It was amazing to learn that Bruce's father was an established opera singer (what a dichotomy between opera and martial arts). One of the things I like about Hourly History is they usually use quotes from the person highlighted (to open the chapters). This gives the reader insight into the way that person thought.
Bruce Lee led a full and eventful life in his 32 years. One can only feel for Bruce's wife, who lost her husband and son when they were reaching for the pinnacle of stardom. Bruce was revolutionary in so many aspects. I was stunned to learn about his successes in cha-cha dancing, boxing, martial arts, and the movie set. This book explains the long shadow Bruce Lee leaves, even after death. This is a wonderful reading experience; I was finished before I realized it.
Bruce Lee led a full and eventful life in his 32 years. One can only feel for Bruce's wife, who lost her husband and son when they were reaching for the pinnacle of stardom. Bruce was revolutionary in so many aspects. I was stunned to learn about his successes in cha-cha dancing, boxing, martial arts, and the movie set. This book explains the long shadow Bruce Lee leaves, even after death. This is a wonderful reading experience; I was finished before I realized it.
January 3, 2021
I have studied Tae Kwon do years ago and I always find the athletes who are the top of the martial arts are always so amazing with what they can do. Jean Claude Van Damme was what got me to love martial arts with bloodsport but reading about the legend that is Bruce Lee is just amazing.
There are not many martial artists who have the abilities of a Bruce Lee. In fact until I saw Ong Bok I believe that none could compete that were Asian in the martial arts. Mainly you see more cultures now in the Martial Arts that have at times taken some of the strength and beauty of the martial arts from the Asian field
There are not many martial artists who have the abilities of a Bruce Lee. In fact until I saw Ong Bok I believe that none could compete that were Asian in the martial arts. Mainly you see more cultures now in the Martial Arts that have at times taken some of the strength and beauty of the martial arts from the Asian field
November 11, 2024
The book is a fascinating look at the life of Bruce Lee. He made it in Hollywood despite the lack of opportunities for Chinese actors. The way of the Dragon was one of the most famous martial arts movies.
He was born in San Francisco and spent a few years in Hong Kong where he was into street fighting. The book gives us insight into character and arrogance that the techniques he learnt were superior. He was focused and determined. He built a style or no style that was eclectic and. suited the individual needs. The book is concise and gave a thorough picture of who he was and his accomplishments.
He was born in San Francisco and spent a few years in Hong Kong where he was into street fighting. The book gives us insight into character and arrogance that the techniques he learnt were superior. He was focused and determined. He built a style or no style that was eclectic and. suited the individual needs. The book is concise and gave a thorough picture of who he was and his accomplishments.
January 26, 2020
Short but informative
This biography is written in a very approachable style. It is clear that the author has put a lot of research into this work.
I have had a long-term interest in Bruce Lee and the martial arts, yet still found new information in this.
The missing star in my review is simply for the brevity of the book, which means a lot of information is glossed over rather than fully explored.
This biography is written in a very approachable style. It is clear that the author has put a lot of research into this work.
I have had a long-term interest in Bruce Lee and the martial arts, yet still found new information in this.
The missing star in my review is simply for the brevity of the book, which means a lot of information is glossed over rather than fully explored.
April 21, 2021
Ce petit ebook retrace la vie de ce géant des arts martiaux qu'était Bruce Lee. J'avais déjà vu plusieurs documentaires sur ce héros et dans cette courte biographie, j'ai appris deux ou trois nouvelles choses, notamment par rapport aux différents prénoms de Bruce, mais aussi à savoir qu'il était né le jour du dragon en astrologie chinoise. Une biographie basique et complète pour comprendre le parcours dans les grandes lignes de la vie du petit dragon.
hourly-history-read
January 3, 2021Be like water
I really enjoyed reading about the life of Bruce Lee. Martial arts is not one of my interests, but the information was interesting. Bruce Lee set the bar for martial arts, and he set it high.
He was in the process of making a movie when he died, and the cause of death is still being debated.
I really enjoyed reading about the life of Bruce Lee. Martial arts is not one of my interests, but the information was interesting. Bruce Lee set the bar for martial arts, and he set it high.
He was in the process of making a movie when he died, and the cause of death is still being debated.
February 20, 2022
I didn't really know much about Bruce Lee so this entire book was fascinating. He seemed like a respectable guy just trying to make a living. Nice to see that he was happily married and a devoted husband as well as a wonderful actor. He did great things for the martial arts community even though at the time some didn't agree.
October 30, 2019
Be sure to check out more on the series
This is a great series of books that is both informative and entertaining whilst giving the reader the satisfaction of completing a book in a short space of time. I will most definitely be reading more in the series. Bravo.
This is a great series of books that is both informative and entertaining whilst giving the reader the satisfaction of completing a book in a short space of time. I will most definitely be reading more in the series. Bravo.
January 13, 2020
A good short story of a legend
Written to the point and succinct biography of a young man who died before his time. He was the first wave of the martial artist who popularized it in the west
Written to the point and succinct biography of a young man who died before his time. He was the first wave of the martial artist who popularized it in the west
Read
February 26, 2020Pretty good and informative
All in all a pretty good book well put together and researched. Although the author tried to keep neutral stance at time it came across as sceptic of real reports, but leaving plenty of room for the reader to make their own mind.
All in all a pretty good book well put together and researched. Although the author tried to keep neutral stance at time it came across as sceptic of real reports, but leaving plenty of room for the reader to make their own mind.
March 24, 2020
This was a nice, short read! Bruce Lee is a legend and learning a bit more about him was nice. Also loved that it was short, like I said, and you can read it within a day (or evening). It's also nice to freshen up your memory!
April 23, 2022
The amazing life of Bruce lee
Biography of the legend's life sumerizes his struggles, successes, and addresses the rumors of his confrontations with the Traditional Martial arts community, his unexpected death,impact and legacy
Biography of the legend's life sumerizes his struggles, successes, and addresses the rumors of his confrontations with the Traditional Martial arts community, his unexpected death,impact and legacy
November 3, 2018
Loved this!!! Really really cool
November 7, 2018
Only read it because I wanted to understand the man behind the legendary quotes..never fails to get me up with his words.
September 22, 2019
Bruce Lee will always be my hero!
For an "hourly biography" this works. It covers all the important points of a life well-lived.
I'm glad he'll live forever to inspire the future.
For an "hourly biography" this works. It covers all the important points of a life well-lived.
I'm glad he'll live forever to inspire the future.
October 24, 2019
Another classic by hourly history. Bruce Lee enters the dragon 👍
Jeet Kung do and move like water. Wow! Great short ebook on Bruce Lee. Again greet research done by hourly history.
Jeet Kung do and move like water. Wow! Great short ebook on Bruce Lee. Again greet research done by hourly history.
January 17, 2020
Interesting
It's a very short but interesting read, would recommend .
Annoys me that Kindle books don't have pictures. I like to see old ones
It's a very short but interesting read, would recommend .
Annoys me that Kindle books don't have pictures. I like to see old ones
January 22, 2020
Good overall summary of his life
Good summary of Lee's life. Not in-depth account, but good anyway. This makes me want to research more into the life of Bruce Lee.
Good summary of Lee's life. Not in-depth account, but good anyway. This makes me want to research more into the life of Bruce Lee.
January 22, 2020
Short but sweet
Nice article and nice story
Basically summarizing his life. I think it can take 2 hours to finish. Thanks for writing
Nice article and nice story
Basically summarizing his life. I think it can take 2 hours to finish. Thanks for writing
January 31, 2020
Fantastic little read on Bruce Lee, quick and easy and you will learn a new thing or two about the life and legacy of Bruce Lee.
May 12, 2020
Awesome
Nicely written, short and sweet book for all Bruce Lee fans. You can't stop wondering that a man who acted only in 6 movies as an adult is immortal on the celluloid
Nicely written, short and sweet book for all Bruce Lee fans. You can't stop wondering that a man who acted only in 6 movies as an adult is immortal on the celluloid
August 26, 2020
Breezy run thru his life . Great
January 14, 2021
Fast and short.
May 24, 2021
Bruce Lee Bio
A concise and very enjoyable book about Bruce Lee is easy to read and informative. It gives real facts about the iconic actor and fighter, Bruce Lee. Enjoy!
A concise and very enjoyable book about Bruce Lee is easy to read and informative. It gives real facts about the iconic actor and fighter, Bruce Lee. Enjoy!
May 29, 2021
I can't say I was an AVID fan, but his abilities were certainly impressive. Thanks for an interesting read.
October 20, 2021
Not long, but accurate
Not a very long book, but it is a very accurate account of Bruce Lee's life.
I enjoyed reading this biography.
Not a very long book, but it is a very accurate account of Bruce Lee's life.
I enjoyed reading this biography.
December 23, 2021
Good read
This would be good for someone who would like to learn more about Bruce Lee and questions about his life and work
This would be good for someone who would like to learn more about Bruce Lee and questions about his life and work
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews