Labels such as ‘icon’ or ‘legend’ are rarely attached to one individual to the degree that they are to Bruce Lee. He only made a handful of films, yet four and a half decades after his untimely death at the age of 32, the Little Dragon’s influence on culture is as strong as ever.
Named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the 20th century, Lee wasn’t just an actor and martial artist, but a director, inventor, husband, father and philosopher. His martial art, jeet kune do, is still practised around the world, while UFC champions credit him with inspiring the growing sport of mixed martial arts. His films kick-started a global kung fu boom and retain the power to awe today, while his thoughts – collected in a series of books from Lee’s own notes – still inspire.
Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend is a unique oral biography that combines the memories of Lee’s original students, close friends, co-stars and colleagues – those who knew him best – to provide a candid view on the action movie star adored by millions, capturing the essence of a complex man in a way no straightforward narrative ever could. Further, for the first time ever in print, legendary professional boxing, bodybuilding and MMA champions and personalities from the motion picture industry pay homage to Lee, giving a blend of unique perspectives on a man who changed the face of their respective sports.
Publisher: Birlinn General
ISBN: 9781909715950
Number of pages: 392
Weight: 528 g
Dimensions: 233 x 155 x 29 mm
'There have been hundreds of books on Bruce Lee since his shocking death in 1973, including my own. However, Fiaz Rafiq’s oral history still punches and kicks into new territory' - Alex Ben Block, The Hollywood Reporter
'Thought-provoking, enjoyable and fascinating interviews' - Tris Dixon, Boxing News
'Interesting . . . fascinating insights' - Alastair Good, The Daily Telegraph
'Provides a unique comprehensive view of a martial arts legend. What makes the work stand out from other books written on Bruce Lee is its exhaustive list of primary source material. This is no compilation of recycled interviews, but fresh reflections on the life of the Little Dragon. These raw interviews provide the reader with insights into different stages and areas of his life . . . If you thought you knew Bruce Lee, think again!' - Jamie Clubb, Martial Arts Illustrated
'Bruce Lee may be dead . . . but his undoubted influence certainly lives on. This publication is packed with very informative interviews and information of the utmost interest to people . . . I have no hesitation in thoroughly recommending it' - Kevin Francis, The Daily Star
'Unique . . . a fascinating read' - Steven Beale, FHM
'An impressive collection of insights into the life of a cultural icon. Rafiq’s book would be a valuable resource for anyone wanting to know more about Lee and his impact on the lives of others' - Paolo Bandini, The Guardian
'An excellent insight into Bruce Lee ... a new perspective on the man himself' - Joel Snape, Men’s Fitness
'Fiaz has done a superb job compiling many perspectives about Bruce Lee ... If you are a Bruce Lee fan, or want to learn more about Lee's extraordinary life, you definitely need to get a copy of Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend. Highly recommended' - Lafayette Harris, Wing Chun Illustrated Magazine
'In the world of Bruce Lee there are arguably a select few who have the qualities to set things at ease, genuinely engage and draw out information that brings an interview to life. On paper, it’s perhaps even more difficult as meaning, emotion and insight can be lost to the 'flat' nature of the medium ... So, it’s with some relief then that this work by Fiaz Rafiq is all these things and more' - The Bruce Lee Review
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