There is a big misunderstanding about books that Bruce Lee actually wrote.
Bruce Lee only wrote one (perhaps two books in his life.) the philosophical art of self-defense, was Bruce Lee’s only book to be printed by Bruce Lee. The other book I am referring to as well is. Wing chun by Jimmie Lee. (It was suggested that Bruce Lee actually wrote this book, but I cannot actually prove it.)
The toa of Jeet Kune Do, and all of Bruce Lee fighting method books were wrote but other people, using Bruce Lee’s personal notes. These books were not written by Bruce Lee. As a matter of fact, all of the notes were that were used to write these books were never intended for anything other than for private use.
A lot of Jeet Kune Do people quote this book as if it was the holy Bible. And it’s not! There is so much good information in those books that unfortunately was misinterpreted by its writers, and then miss construed by many readers.
Don’t believe everything you read. There is a lot of good information in those books (please don’t misunderstand what I am saying, I recommend reading the toa Jeet Kune Do. Just don’t worship it!)
That’s my point of view. Now let’s hear yours.
C.A.G.
I agree.Holy Bible or not,I’ve yet to find anything that comes close to it.
Try “the art of war” by Sun Tzu.
True.Me chumpy…
Hello Curtis!
You are exactly right! In fact, there is a book that is currently being written that exposes where much of the material published as Bruce Lee’s writings actually came from! Many people are going to be shocked by what they read, and those who go around spouting these “philosophisms” saying Bruce Lee said this and Bruce Lee said that are going to feel like complete idiots!
Bruce Lee wrote and published Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defense. He also wrote the Wing Chun book that Ohara published, but turned it over to James Yimm Lee. He knew that James had cancer and didn’t have much longer to live. He wanted there to be something that would be a lasting tribute to James, so he allowed the book to be published showing James as the author. Bruce Lee was even there for the photo shoot, making sure that the positions were correct for all of the photographs! He had nearly completed another book called Tao of Gung Fu, that was later put together by John Little and published by Tuttle as part of the Bruce Lee Library series.
Outside of those three books, nothing that he had written in his notes was intended for publication! It was just his personal notes! THAT’S ALL! That is why so much of what has been published is actually the writings of other people! No one had any way of knowing what he did and didn’t actually write! This is why in later editions of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, they had to add a section giving credit to other publications. Besides, to even get a full picture of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, you also need to read Jeet Kune Do: Commentaries On The Martial Way. That is what was left out of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do! Many JKD practitioners, myself included, like “Commentaries” much better than the Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Why? Because it is more combat oriented and less of a philosophy text!
I didn’t write this new book that is coming out, so I cannot divulge any more information on it! But I can say that these people that are always spouting this philosophy all over the place are going to go “Whoops, did I say that!” Talk about stirring the pot, this book is going to keep it stirred thoroughly for a long time! 
Thank you sifu Lamar
a was not aware of this new book, but I read some articles stating that after 20 years of publication, that the toa Jeet Kune Do was now just starting to make a profit. Sense all the lawsuits that occurred after the original printing of this book.
I am aware of a lot of the philosophical aspect of the toa Jeet Kune Do came from many Taoist writers . The philosophical aspect of Jeet Kune Do is interesting, to say the least. But I find it even more entertaining, to find out how other people understand the writings.
I can read some articles from the book, and it seems clear to me what the writer had intended. But some analysts (Im trying to be nice.) Can read the same article in, with an entirely different meaning. (Okay I know there is room for personal discretion in many of the writings.) But for someone who can quote entire paragraphs, and seemingly understands the context fully, and then watch them perform. I find it amazing, that most of these so-called experts, don’t do what they say they do.
Now I am not trying to put anyone down. But I find all to many people misunderstand the whole purpose, of why Bruce Lee did, what he did.
In the early years Bruce’s goal was to be the best fighter possible. But in its later years his goals change, I believe for the sake of simplicity Bruce stopped teaching the basic (wing chun) and started to give his training partners only what they needed to become better.
I look at it like this. If you need four elements to make a technique work properly. (A,B,C,D.) Bruce would teach only the elements that were needed in or to make a technique work. If you were his student, he would look you and see what elements do you already do naturally. ( Let’s say A&D, so Bruce would show you B&C.) then you could perform a technique perfectly. The only problem came after Bruce’s death. His students were forced to show what they have learned. (They could perform perfectly, but when he came to teaching, they could only teach what they have learned.)
I believe this is why Jeet Kune Do is so vastly different, each teacher can only give their students what they know. And with toa Jeet Kune Do philosophical base justifies their differences. So no one ever questions why.
Of course this is only my theory. It explains the differences without putting blame and anyone.
The teacher and the students both achieved their objectives. It was a win-win situation. Although that situation change after the teachers death.
Sincerely C.A.G.
P.S. please let me know what you think? C.A.G.
HelloCurtis!
That is a good analysis, and quite possibly true! I also know for a fact that Bruce Lee held back certain things from his students. Unfortunately, some of these things are key elements to making certain techniques in JKD work! Also, Bruce Lee was known for using his students as “guinea pigs” to test certain things that he was working on! These students, of course, didn’t mind this at all because it gave them the opportunity to learn much about what Sijo Bruce was doing! Unfortunately, however, that was the only thing that some of them ever got really good at doing! This is similar to your theory, and is not just a theory, but the ABSOLUTE TRUTH!!
Hawkins Cheung, the prominent Wing Chun instructor, said that Bruce Lee told him during their last meeting in person that his students “just didn’t get it!” He asked Hawkins to go back and show them the elements that he had left out. Yes, these elements came straight from Wing Chun! This is one of the reasons that I feel fortunate enough to have studied with Sifu Patrick Strong! Sifu Strong is close to Sifu Cheung, and he has learned these elements that make the big difference! Sifu Cheung has a series of tapes out that I plan to order as soon as I possibly can. I hear that they are awesome! Sifu Patrick Strong has tapes out that are incredible too! I also have two series of tapes coming out in 2002 that will be quite revealing and extremely in depth! I have forty-six tapes out now, but these tapes coming up are going to blow everything else away!