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Jeet Kune Do - A Core Structure Training Manual reviewed by M.A.I Magazine (Oct 2008)

The text is precise and everything is well explained with excellent high quality colour photos throughout. In fact this is the first publication on this subject to be printed in colour.

The book covers the most important elements of Bruce Lee's original art of Jeet Kune Do [JKD], which to the newcomer roughly translates from the Chinese as 'the way of the intercepting fist'. Developed over a number of years by Bruce Lee as an anti-thesis to what he saw as the formulaic straightjacket of the classical martial arts which, he argued, failed to allow individuals to fully and honestly express themselves, JKD is definitely not a 'do-it-yourself martial art and does have a unique structure as Cass Magda points out in his foreword.

Indeed, it is essential for the JKD fighter to master this structure if they are to present a highly organized defence and mount an instantaneous and effective counter-attack.

This interesting training manual presents the structure of JKD and provides the reader with a solid core foundation which component p can be used to apply the original principles of the art.

The book also discusses the history and philosophy of JKD, and really examines and evaluates the core techniques such as the Bai-Jong or on-guard position, footwork, defensive and offensive techniques, and kicking.  It also considers and looks into with great detail the importance of JKD principles such as interception and the techniques involved.  The text would not be would not be complete without a good analysis of the five ways attack, sensitivity exercises, grappling as well as equipment training.  To round off the book Dave provides  useful glossaries of both the general and the Chinese terminology used in JKD. 

Since the Tao of Jeet Kune Do was printed in the mid 1970s many book have been published on this subject all with their own additions and unique approach to revealing the hidden depths to this way of fighting.  I can see you asking yourself, what does this book show me or reveal to me that the other books might not.

Firstly you have to understand that Dave has seriously trained with everyone noted as an expert of this art, and he has had the unique ability to draw from all of these sources  and his own evaluation in understanding this art to a very  high level.  What he has done is break things down into the component parts and simply explain how and why things are done in such a manner, and gives the reader and practicing student the tools to evaluate where they are at in understanding Jeet Kune Do.
There a foreword by Cass Magda and a a strong testimonial from Tim Tackett who has written several books on the subject himself.  The book is definitely an addition to anyone's martial arts library, especially if they are interested in Jeet Kune Do.

It is in paperback format and 160 pages long with 350 colour photographs and 7 line drawings published by The Crowood Press Ltd and released in July 2008, the location number is number is ISBN: 9781847970039, for more information visit www.crowoodpress.co.uk or www.amazon.co.uk