Rating: 4 out of 5
Bruce Lee: Artist of Life is a collection of letters, journals, and drafts crafted by Bruce Lee throughout his life. John Little organizes the essays in this book into eight categories: Gung Fu, Philosophy, Psychology, Poetry, Jeet Kune Do - The Liberation, Acting, Self-Knowledge, and Letters. Throughout the book, Bruce Lee stresses one fact above all others: I cannot teach you; only help you to explore yourself. Nothing More. Through the writings, we learn that Bruce Lee valued self-knowledge and self-actualization first and foremost. Even in his martial arts, Jeet Kune Do (the way of the intercepting fist), focuses on using your skills to break through the mental blocks and demons inside oneself to gain a better understanding of who one is.
I enjoyed reading this book. I have been a fan of Bruce Lee even since my dad showed me Enter the Dragon as a little kid. This peek into who Bruce Lee was, his mental processes and plans, adds a warmer glow to the martial arts expert. The way he lived his life and the inspiration he gave to others is a model that should be more prevalent today.
But [to] those who kept saying
"It can't be done,"
Never are the victories
Or the honors won.
But, rather,
By the believing, doing kind,
While the doubters
Watched from far behind.-- excerpt from Which Are You?, a poem by Bruce Lee, page 255