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Bruce Lee

A Life

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Bruce Lee

By: Matthew Polly
Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross
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About this listen

 The “definitive” (The New York Times) biography of film legend Bruce Lee—the martial arts icon who made kung fu a global phenomenon, shattered Hollywood stereotypes of Asian and Asian American actors, and became one of the most influential pop culture figures of the 20th century.

Forty-five years after Bruce Lee’s sudden death at just thirty-two, journalist and bestselling author Matthew Polly delivers the authoritative account of his extraordinary life and legacy. Meticulously researched over a decade and informed by more than one hundred interviews—including with Lee’s family, friends, colleagues, and the actress in whose bed he died—Bruce Lee is both sweeping and intimate.

Polly traces Lee’s evolution from Hong Kong child star to troubled teen, from charismatic martial arts teacher to trailblazing Asian American actor navigating a whitewashed Hollywood, to international superstar in Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury, and The Big Boss. He explores Lee’s family dynamics, his struggle to break through in the US entertainment industry, his intense work ethic, and the enduring mystery surrounding his untimely death.

Dispelling myths and revealing the man behind the legend, Bruce Lee is a deeply humanizing, page-turning biography of a boundary-breaking actor, father, fighter, and icon whose cultural impact endures across generations and continents. Combat Sports & Self-Defense Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Martial Arts Sports Celebrity Entertainment Combat Sports Inspiring Marriage China Imperial Japan Social justice Biography
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I've come to see how human Bruce Lee was but one incredibly inspiring. Matthew Polly did an excellent work here.

Immersive, revealing and enjoyable.

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Intensely well researched, this book sets a new benchmark regarding the life, death and legacy of Bruce Lee. The narration of the audiobook is top shelf in the sense that JTR's narration is consistent and in no way distracting. Highly recommended to not only those interested in Bruce Lee, but also to anyone with an interest in the evolution of martial arts, film and television, fitness, philosophy, psychology as well as biography. Many documentaries and accounts of Bruce, unfortunately, for whatever reason, contain an element of tackiness. Not this, like Bruce, the tone is charming yet deeply intense and deadly serious.

Sets A New Benchmark

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I love the book and the story. Very factual and every explanation had good reference and the controversies that were explained in detail, did not hide the hard work put behind a man who had so much against him but worked to overcome it anyway.

Inspiring way to remember a legend

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When I was a kid my friends wanted to be firemen, police or farmers. Me, I wanted tp be Bruce Lee!
I have always been a fan. I have read every story I could find. Watched every film and documentry. But nothing is as truthful as this book. The real life. It grounded him. It didnt make him out to be something fake like everything else. Great story for any fan or people who were not. Everyone will love this book.

The truth behind the myth.

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liked everything about this story. all the way to the end was great listening.

all the details about his life to his death were fantastic to hear. A roller-coaster of emotional.

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