Sijo Bruce Lee: From Classical to Non Classical Paperback – April 16, 2018

Sijo Bruce Lee: From Classical to Non Classical by Gianfranco Mento is the finest book ever written on Bruce Lee's martial arts history and lineage. While it has generally been known that Bruce studied or was at least exposed to various martial traditions on his journey to create his end product of Jeet Kune Do, the Way of the Intercepting Fist, the precise details of that exploration have been not covered with this level of detail previous to this, at least not publicly. Because in addition to being a well known martial arts actor, Bruce was an innovator who seriously investigated several historical and contemporary strands in order to ensure that he covered his bases in great depth. And these evolved over the many years of his investigations that moved from Hong Kong, to Seattle, to Oakland, to Los Angeles, and beyond.Hong Kong was a great melting pot for dozens of ancient martial traditions ranging from Northern and Southern schools of Chinese kung fu, to the internal school of Tai Chi Chuan that Bruce Lee's father had studied. It also included exposure to many other of the flowing internal systems practiced there such as Bagua, Hsing-i, and Liuhebafa or Six Combinations and Eight Methods, also known as Water Boxing. These philosophical and theoretical traditions were all parts of the cultural stew that had continuing influences on Bruce as he refined his own unique martial expression. Bruce was also a voracious reader whose library had hundreds of books ranging from traditional schools of the Chinese martial arts to modern Western Boxing. Bruce devoured these sources for inspiration, wisdom, and ideas.In Hong Kong Bruce studied the Wing Chun kung fu system of his teacher Yip Man, and another one called Red Boat Wing Chun. He practiced in Northern Shaolin kung fu and Northern and Southern Mantis kung fu forms, and ancient Chinese weapons like the sword, spear, and three sectional staff. Bruce kept detailed notebooks with notes and drawings that preserved these old school teachings. Many of these are reproduced in Mento's book.Other influences included Eagle Claw, Hung gar, and Choy Li Fut kung fu styles, along with White Crane, Chinese opera, and Western style fencing. Not to mention Judo, jujitsu, wrestling, boxing, and Shotokan Karate which it's Master Hidetaka Nishiyama had demonstrated with incredible power, speed, and precision. Bruce was also exposed to the southern Hakka systems of Bak Mei Pai (White Eyebrow Style), Bak Fu Pai (White Tiger Style) by its Grandmaster, Doo Wai. In America Bruce met the well known Kenpo Master Ed Parker and gave a famous demonstration at Parker's first International Karate Championships in Long Beach in 1964. This was where Dan Inosanto would meet Bruce as Inosanto was a Parker Kenpo black belt. During this period Bruce had the opportunity to discuss ideas and train with many influential teachers including Parker, Ralph Castro, Jhoon Rhee, and Wally Jay, among others. Bruce Lee's Gung fu kept evolving and he would eventually train several prominent US karate champions including Chuck Norris, Mike Stone, and Joe Lewis.In Los Angeles Bruce met and was exposed to the teachings of the legendary Kung fu Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong. As Dan Inosanto had also been Wong's student, Bruce began to analyze the principles involved in Wong's systems, the Five Family (Choy, Li, Fut, Mok, Hung) and Five Animals (Tiger, Dragon, Leopard, Snake, Crane). Ark Wong had also known Bruce Lee's father and Mento's book include a nice discussion of the principles Bruce studied, and with Inosanto's assistance, absorbed from the 5 Family and 5 Animals system. Ark Wong was one of the true pioneers who had first begun teaching kung fu to nonChinese in 1959 and was also a practitioner of Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Inosanto also exposed Bruce to his native Filipino martial art called Kali that had specialized knowledge of using bladed and wooden weapons, as well as bare hands, and all of this was incorporated into Bruce's ever evolving system.All of this is but a glimpse of the detail, depth, and comprehensive nature of this incredible book. The word Sijo means founding grandmaster and this book has performed a major service by brilliantly describing the arts that helped Bruce Lee give birth to his teachings. It represents a stunning accomplishment nearly 400 pages long, and includes hundreds of photographs, many rarely seen and in full color. Introductions and forewords are included by Dan Inosanto, Leo Fong, and Mike Stone, all significant students of Bruce Lee. This book will set the standard for researching Bruce Lee and his martial arts influences for many years, much as Tom Bleecker's book, "Unsettled Matters: The Life and Death of Bruce Lee, set the standard for researching the other details of Lee's life and his death. Five Stars, Bravo!

I was a little hesitant to order this book when I saw the $75 price tag. Seemed kind of pricey for an oversized paperback, but I'm glad I overcame my hesitation and took a gamble in ordering this gem of a book. When I received the book, I immediately began thumbing through it and was astounded at the amount of information the author Gianfranco Mento has provided on Bruce Lee's transition from classical or traditional martial art studies to what became his own personal journey in creating a non classical, fully functional and effective martial art completely suited to utilize all his strengths as well as to overcome his weaknesses. The work is illustrated throughout with many photos and some drawings by Bruce. This is a book every serious student of Bruce Lee and his non classical martial art of Gung-Fu should have on their shelf. I highly recommend it!

THE PHOTOS IN THIS BOOK ARE WORTH THE PRICE.I'M A BRUCE LEE COLLECTOR OF HIS BOOKS.THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST..

Well done text work,however Photograph's are POORLY Reproduced;hopefully next time photo's will be much better given the cost of the book.

This has to be the best work I have seen ever, that cover Bruce Lee's training from his earlier days doing classical methods to non classic. well made and very thought out.

Interesting book on the path of Bruce Lee. Result of a very exhaustive research. It is interesting to look at the end result of a personsons life but better is to get perspective on their pat or process. This book does an excellent job of following that search. I am very glad to have it in my library. Thank you to the Author for creating this timeless book. You will learn much about the people who Brice influenced and those who influenced Bruce. OutstandingI spent decades with some of the people talked about in the book they were great men I miss them.