Title/Author:
“Striking Distance:
Bruce Lee & The Dawn of Martial Arts in America” by Charles Russo
Tags:
Martial arts, history,
teaching
Publish date:
July 1, 2016
Length:
232 pages
Rating:
4 ½ of 5 stars (excellent)
Review:
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.
Book Format Read:
Hardcover
Buying links:
