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Bruce Lee
- Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
- Length: 19 hrs and 6 mins
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Bruce Lee
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Summary
The most authoritative biography of film legend Bruce Lee, who made martial arts a global phenomenon, bridged the divide between Eastern and Western cultures and smashed long-held stereotypes of Asians and Asian Americans.
Forty-five years after Bruce Lee’s sudden death at 32, journalist and best-selling author Matthew Polly has written the definitive account of Lee’s life. It’s also one of the only accounts; incredibly, there has never been an authoritative biography of Lee. Following a decade of research that included conducting more than 100 interviews with Lee’s family, friends, business associates, and even the actress in whose bed Lee died, Polly has constructed a complex, humane portrait of the icon.
Polly explores Lee’s early years as a child star in Hong Kong cinema; his actor father’s struggles with opium addiction and how that turned Bruce into a troublemaking teenager who was kicked out of high school and eventually sent to America to shape up; his beginnings as a martial arts teacher, eventually becoming personal instructor to movie stars like James Coburn and Steve McQueen; his struggles as an Asian American actor in Hollywood and frustration seeing role after role he auditioned for go to a white actors in eye makeup; his eventual triumph as a leading man; his challenges juggling a skyrocketing career with his duties as a father and husband; and his shocking end that to this day is still shrouded in mystery.
Polly breaks down the myths surrounding Bruce Lee and argues that, contrary to popular belief, he was an ambitious actor who was obsessed with the martial arts - not a kung-fu guru who just so happened to make a couple of movies. This is an honest, revealing look at an impressive yet imperfect man whose personal story was even more entertaining and inspiring than any fictional role he played onscreen.
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What listeners say about Bruce Lee
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- Ash G
- 27-05-20
The art of reading without reading
I have been a Bruce Lee fan ever since the days I could walk. Read up on him and his life, lots of autobiographies...this is hands down the most complete autobiography I have read. Lot of holes were filled in with this one. Amazing read!
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-10-21
Great book. Top **
Excellent book. well narrated.
I really enjoyed listening to this book, a bit long to be honest, but worth listening.
I would listen second time.
thank you.
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- Wils1976
- 06-02-23
Honest
An honest bio. Whilst inspired by Bruce when I was a kid, here you’ll find a flawed aggressive human with huge purpose. I come away seeing him as less the superhuman but still a fascinating read. Recommended
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- Ryan
- 03-02-20
A wonderful insight into a legend
As a follower of Bruce lee from a young age and studying of wing chun for over 9 years. This was truly a wonderful listen.
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- Kenneth Martin
- 09-03-21
Eye open for his life
Love it, enjoyed every word. It was a real eye opener for his life, shame he couldn't see his legacy
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- STEVEN
- 26-06-18
BRUCE LEE 5 STAR
LOVED IT 2 TO 3 DAYS TO LISTON TO IT COULD NOT STOP
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- Edward
- 19-05-21
Gripping
Excellent book whether your a Bruce lee fan or not, the reader is very good throughout.
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- Ravi
- 31-07-20
Great listen.
As a fan of martial arts and autobiographies, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Took a while to finish but learnt a lot too.
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- Anonymous User
- 16-01-19
Just Wow
Absolutely gutted the book has finished. There is not many people who have had such interesting life’s in such a short space. I’ve always been amazed by Bruce and Pollys work leaving no stone unturned has only reaffirmed this. Not to be missed.
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- Mr. O
- 05-11-20
fantastic!
I bought this on the reviews alone and it's an utterly phenomenological read detailing so much in such a coherent way. read by someone genuinely engaged in the narrative. any interest in Bruce, just get this. you'll be pleased you did.
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