Jeet Kune Do. The very name conjures images of the late Bruce Lee destroying opponents on the movie screen. But what is jeet kune do? Is it Bruce Lee's personal expression in combat? Is it a style? Is it a process? Chris Kent, one of jeet kune do's most accomplished practitioners, seeks to answer these questions. According to Kent, while Bruce Lee felt there shouldn't be a fixed system of fighting, he did believe there is a progressive approach to training mastering martial skills. In this book, Kent reveals Lee's training methods and philosophies - the same methods and philosophies that made him unbeatable in unarmed combat. With over 400 dynamic photographs, this volume is a virtual encyclopedia of jeet kune do techniques.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: I would have given it a five if I didn't already have it. Comment: I loved this book, back when it was called Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do the textbook. That was Tim Tackett, Chris Kent production then. The pictures in this book are new but not as good or comprehensive as the Tackett/Kent book. My advice is get the Text Book version, and Pick up Tackett and Kent's Jeet Kune Do kickboxing book. Those are actually good. If you want to review techniques and understand alot of what goes into making a good JKD fighter. It is important to note that for that last part you must have read and absorbed the Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Another complaint I have about this book, and is by no means minor, is the way Chris Kent handles grappling. It is quite clear to even a six month practicianer of, nearly any grappling art, except maybe Small Circle Jiu-jitsu, that Kent has no idea of what he is talking about. The problem is that Kent does not understand the grappling range at all. He seems to think it is a place where (after he has performed his miracle trapping) his opponent will just allow him to twist, crank, and lock him in any way Kent wants. There is no discussion of how dynamic this range is. Chris Kent, like Larry Harstell, can perform myriad locks and takedowns in the context of various drills, I am not sure they can do anything in a live situation. I am not saying they cannot, but the way they present their grappling, it appears that they really do not have an accurate idea of what happens when some one with skill crashes into you. I must say that is not the case with all JKD fighters (and in their defense, it may not be the case with Kent, and Hartstell). Roy Harris, Jack McVicker, Paul Vunak, Dion Riccardo, and Eric Paulson, and Dan Insosanto all understand what it is to really grapple. The point is from the Kent book I do not think he could handle a white belt of one year at any reputable bjj school. Customer Rating: Summary: THIS IS A BOOK EVERY SINGLE MARTIAL ARTIST MUST HAVE! Comment: This comprehensive book is very good. It explains Bruce Lee's art in a magnificent manner. There are over 650 photos along with tons of written information on the fighting techniques. They are really good and easy-to-learn. You can use the moves with complete confidence in a self-defense situation after just looking at the photos (seriously).
Everyone should have this book!
Customer Rating: Summary: A must for serious JKD practitioners Comment: I own a copy of Chris Kent's book volume one and am going to purchase volume two. Financial and location difficulties only allow me a few months a year personal training with a Sifu in JKD so Mr. Kent's book helps me to practice movements and strategy in off months. It has good photos and text to help link the movements... extremely helpful. I mean it seems as Mr. Kent is right there helping you correct any problems in your techniques. It even has some grappling and holds as well which are essential to any martial artists skills.
Also Read: the Tao of JKD by Master Bruce Lee, and also Mr. Lee's several part series on different aspects of his philosophy , art and training methods. (I found Mr. Lee's training methods to be especially helpful , when I use them they improve my physical aspects and contemplating some of his thoughts help in life as well. Try some of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi/Stephen Hayes Ninjutsu/Taijutsu books and Park Bok Nam's Pa Kua/Ba Gua series. I like these three arts b/c they are adaptive and efficient as arts and life styles in my humble opinion.
Customer Rating: Summary: a useful reference Comment: A useful reference of tools, concepts and tactics, but most of the information was already covered in Chris Kent and Tim Tackett's other excellent books, "Jun Fan / Jeet Kune Do: The Textbook" and "Jeet Kune Do Kickboxing"
still, a very nice addition to any serious JKD student's library
