A great novel can be engaging, but there’s nothing quite like a true story—the story of Bruce Lee in the form of deep reporting, memoir, or personal essays. Books about Bruce Lee gives us the chance to look at the world in his eyes and learn something about the life that surrounded him. And we can learn a lot about ourselves from studying his life and philosophy.
We think we know all about his life, but when we read his books, we can discover something new or learn a life-long lesson from him each time. From biographies of Bruce Lee to compelling stories and brilliant philosophy about his life and martial arts, the library of Bruce Lee books is all an excellent read.
Here is the list of the top 10 best Bruce Lee books on philosophy, martial arts, personal life, and training. Also check below for a free pdf of the book Bruce Lee’s Training Secrets.
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method
A visual demonstration and descriptive commentary on the philosophical art of Jeet Kune Do, real-world self-defense techniques, and Bruce Lee’s way of martial arts. A true, complete classic addition to the four-volume series, “Fighting Method.” Contains digitally enhanced photos and descriptions self-defense moves written by Bruce Lee. Follow the thoughts of a brilliant martial arts master and his writings on the psychological application of his fighting system. Fans of Bruce Lee and martial arts enthusiasts will find that this is one of the best Bruce Lee books.
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Method: The Complete Edition, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee’s Tao of Jeet Kune Do
An in-depth compilation of notes and essays from the brilliant mind of Bruce Lee, explaining the science and philosophy behind Jeet Kune Do. Over hundreds of illustrations and commentary from the pioneer of Jeet Kune Do. Lee touch on topics such as zen and enlightenment to a detailed analysis of his fighting system. Looks and reads like Lee’s personal notebook, depicting written notes, drawings, and sketches of the outline of Jeet Kune do. An essential reading for any practitioner of martial arts.
Tao of Jeet Kune Do: New Expanded Edition, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee’s The Art of Expressing the Human Body
The holy grail of Bruce Lee training books, this book documents Lee’s training methods and approach to diet and fitness that he used throughout his life to achieve a body of peak fitness performance. Regarded as one of the best Bruce Lee training books and depicts the full extent of Lee’s unique training methods including nutrition, aerobics, isometrics, stretching and weight training. John Little masterfully captures biography of Bruce Lee’s life of fitness and shows writings, notes, and training logs to show readers how they could achieve a body like Lee’s.
The Art of Expressing the Human Body, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee Striking Thoughts
Striking Thoughts descriptively illustrates the secrets of Bruce Lee’s incredible success—as an actor, martial artist, and inspiration to the world. Consisting of eight sections, Striking Thoughts covers topics from spirituality to personal liberation and from family life to filmmaking—all of which Bruce lived by. This book engages readers with Lee’s wisdom and integrity in life to overcome all obstacles and to help others along the way. Bruce Lee’s words and practical insights into life can be translated to anybody. Readers of all types can be moved by Lee’s writing, regardless if they are interested in martial arts.
Bruce Lee Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee’s Wisdom for Daily Living, amazon.com.
The Warrior Within: The Philosophies of Bruce Lee
An insightful look at the philosophy of Bruce Lee and his virtues of knowledge and appreciation of the individual human condition. The complex philosophies of Bruce Lee translate between the boundaries of Eastern and Western ideals, teaching the reader the wisdom of mastering one’s self. The astonishing and rich look at the flexibility and wisdom that he demonstrated in his life can be transmitted to readers. Includes a foreword by his wife, Linda Lee Cadwell.
The Art of Expressing the Human Body, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee Fighting Spirit
A complete edition of the biography of Bruce Lee and a detailed look into his philosophy on martial arts and life, career, and personal life. Fighting spirit stands as an independent biography of Bruce Lee, the book takes an in-depth examination of his life while being truthful and authentic. Dive into the life of the worlds greatest martial artist and see what triumphs and mistakes that he made in life and learn the fighting spirit that kept him going.
Bruce Lee’s Fighting Spirit, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee Letters of the Dragon
A true, authentic depiction of the life of Bruce Lee through the lens of letters that he wrote to friends and family from his teenage years to his untimely death. A valuable resource for anyone interested in martial arts and fitness. The author gives us a glimpse of Bruce Lee’s training method and methodology. Readers get a look at the various exercise routines and equipment Bruce used to achieve superior health and fitness and the techniques and tools he used to build his strength and power. The letters he wrote are a testament towards Lee’s optimism, loyalty, and integrity that he carried with him all his life.
Bruce Lee Letters of the Dragon, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee Artist of Life
Artist of Life explores the development and fruition of Bruce Lee’s thoughts about gung fu (kung fu), philosophy, psychology, poetry, Jeet Kune Do, acting, and self-knowledge. An addition to the Bruce Lee library of books that captures the written letters and private notebooks that he wrote. Lee sheds his wisdom and advice to others and reflects on his own life and work through the passages of these pages.
Bruce Lee Artist of Life, amazon.com.
Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense
Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense offers readers that are interested in Chinese gung fu a visual demonstration and descriptive commentary from Bruce Lee of various training exercises and techniques. Lee’s text is aided by visual diagrams and photo sequences to help the techniques come to life.
Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self-Defense, amazon.com.
Bruce Lee’s Training Secrets
Bruce Lee’s Training Secrets is a free online pdf that can be downloaded as an e-book. This book is about the man who introduced Bruce Lee to Wing Chun School in the summer of 1954 and was instructed by Grandmaster Yip man to train him. The book explores the trials and tribulations that Lee experienced while enrolled in Wing Chun school and his progress in Wing Chun and kung fu. Learn about Lee’s training secrets in his younger days with Grandmaster Yip Man.
Grab your copy of the free Bruce Lee’s Training Secrets e-book.
Further Reading
Interested in more training guides by Bruce Lee? Check out these workout routines by Bruce Lee:
Bruce Lee’s Bodybuilding Workout To Pack On Serious Muscle
How Bruce Lee Grew His Wings: 11 Bruce Lee Lats & Back Workout
A Detailed Look at the Evolution of Bruce Lee’s Workout Routine (1963-1971)