Notes: These are books written by or about Bruce Lee
Essential books in blue.
1963
Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense, Bruce Lee, author, 1963. Bruce Lee’s first book outlining his early martial arts.
1973
Tao of Jeet Kune Do, Bruce Lee, author, Ohara Publications Inc., 1973. Philosophy and technology around Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do martial arts.
1975
The life and tragic death of Bruce Lee, aka The Man Only I Knew, Linda Lee Caldwell, Author, Star Books Publisher, 1975. Biography written by Bruce Lee’s wife. It is rare and more expensive than others.
1978
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method, Brice Lee and Mitoshi Uyehara, authors, 1978. Available as one volume or four separate volumes. Volumes include Part 1: Basic Training, Part 2: Skills in Techniques, Part 3: Advanced Techniques, and Part 4: Self Defense Techniques.
1980
Jeet Kune Do, The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee, Dan Inosanto, 1980. Excellent book written by Bruce Lee’s friend and assistant instructor. Many insights into the development of Jeet Kune Do.
1986
Bruce Lee The Untold Story, Grace Lee, Robert Lee, and Agnes Lee, authors. Unique publications, 1986. Bruce Lee’s story told by family and friends. Includes photos from the family album.
1988
The Incomparable Fighter, M. Uyehara, author, Jack Vaughn, editor, Ohara Publications Inc., 1988. A description of Bruce Lee’s fighting style by his friend, M. Uyehara.
1996
The Warrior Within : The Philosophies of Bruce Lee, John Little, Author, 1996, 2016. Applying the philosophies of Bruce Lee in your own life. Written by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
1997
Words of the Dragon: Interviews, 1958-1973, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2017. Volume 1 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Interview transcripts of Bruce Lee on a variety of topics including philosophy, martial arts, and his personal life. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
The Tao of Gung Fu: Commentaries on the Chinese Martial Arts, John Little Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2016. Volume 2 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Notes about Bruce Lee’s early form of martial arts.
Jeet Kune Do: A Comprehensive Guide to Bruce Lee’s Martial Way, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1997, 2020. Volume 3 of the Bruce Lee Library. Excellent and detailed description of Bruce Lee’s martial art before he passed. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
1998
The Art of Expressing the Human Body, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1998. Volume 4 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Includes workouts, circuit training, weight lifting, and stretching. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Letters of the Dragon: The Original 1958-1973 Correspondence, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 1998, 2016. Volume 5 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Letters to friends, family, and business associates. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
They Died Too Young, Bruce Lee, Jon E. Lewis, Author, Chelsea House publishers, 1998. A short juvenile biography of Bruce Lee’s life with many photos.
1999
Bruce Lee Anthology: Films and Fighting, Paul Crompton, Author, Paul H Crompton Ltd. publisher, 1999. Articles from the Karate and Oriental Arts (KOA) magazine located in the United Kingdom.
2000
The Celebrated Life of the Golden Dragon, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 2000, 2016. Volume 8 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Illustrated biography of Bruce Lee. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee’s Wisdom for daily living, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 2000. Quotes from Bruce Lee on many subjects.
2001
Artist of Life: Inspiration and Insights from the World’s Greatest Martial Artist, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 2001, 2018. Volume 6 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
Jeet Kune Do Conversations, Jose M. Fraguas, Unique Publications, 2001. Excellent interviews of many of Bruce Lee’s first generation of students.
2002
Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee’s Wisdom for Daily Living, John Little, Editor, Tuttle Publishing, 2002. Volume 7 of the Bruce Lee Library, commissioned by the Bruce Lee Estate. Quotes from Bruce Lee about life. Put together by John Little, Bruce Lee historian.
2005
The Straight Lead: The Core of Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, Teri Tom, Author, Tuttle Publishing, 2005. A detailed breakdown of the straight lead punch under Jeet Kune Do.
2009
Jeet Kune Do: The Arsenal of Self Expression, Teri Tom, Author, Tuttle Publishing, 2009, 2016. In-depth guide to Jeet Kune Do including kicks, punches, and technique.
2010
Jeet Kune Do: Hardcore Training & Strategies Guide, Larry Hartsell, Author, Health N Life Publisher, 2010. Jeet Kune Do training book by former Bruce Lee student Larry Hartsell.
2013
Beyond Bruce Lee: Chasing the Dragon Through Film, Philosophy, and Popular Culture, Paul Bowman, Author, Wallflower Press publisher, 2013. This covers the cultural impact of Bruce Lee.
2015
Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained, Stefan Stenudd, author. CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2nd edition 2015. An easy to read translation and commentary on the Tao Te Ching.
2016
Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America, Charles Russo, Author, University of Nebraska Press publisher, 2016. Focuses on Bruce Lee in the San Francisco martial arts community.
2019
Bruce Lee: A Life, Matthew Polly, Author, Simon & Schuster Publishing, 2019. Highly rated biography of Bruce Lee.
2020
Longstreet, The Series, Palmer, Scott, Author, Cypress Hills Press publisher, 2020. Reference book about the television series Longstreet which starred James Franciscus as a blind insurance investigator. Bruce Lee guest starred in four episodes.
2021
Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee, Shannon Lee, Author, Flatiron Books publisher, 2021. Book by Bruce Lee’s daughter which covers applying Bruce Lee’s philosophy to your life.
The Eternal Tao Te Ching: The Philosophical Masterwork of Taoism and Its Relevance Today, Benjamin Hoff, Author, Abrams Books, 2021. An English interpretation of the Tao Te Ching using the pre-writing Chinese brush characters.
2023
Bruce Lee at Golden Harvest. 4k restorations of The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, and Game of Death. Includes 1080p version of Enter the Dragon and documentary Final Game of Death with ALL the raw footage filmed for Game of Death. Includes special cut of the Game of Death footage with new prologue. Includes 200 page hardbound book documenting the making of the Golden Harvest films. Released in the U.K.
2024
In My Own Process, Bruce Lee, Author, Genesis Publications, 2024. Includes photos, writings, and letters from the Bruce Lee archives.