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A rare hardcover edition of Schocken Books' "The Way of Response" from the personal library of Bruce Lee. An avid reader and student throughout his life, Lee curated a personal library containing hundreds of books covering a rich and diverse educational spectrum, including volumes on the martial arts, western boxing, fencing, exercise, filmmaking, and philosophy.

Schocken Books of New York published this edition of "The Way of Response" - a selection of writings by celebrated Jewish existential philosopher Martin Buber edited by Ukrainian historian and philosopher Nahum N. Glatzer - in 1966. Buber most commonly wrote on topics including religious consciousness, ethics, Biblical hermeneutics, and modernity in such seminal works as "I and Thou." Lee studied philosophy at the University of Washington, and was a passionate student of key philosophers, such as Buber, throughout his lifetime.

This specific volume features two key details. Firstly, the inside cover is inscribed "Property of Bruce Lee" by Lee with the Chinese characters that make up his name added in Lee's distinctive personal script directly below. The contents page also features a very rare variation of Lee's signature which includes the full English transliteration of his Chinese name, together with the familiar form: "Bruce Lee Siu Loong." The page is embellished by Lee with a hand-rendered illustration of a kinetic fist shattering a hard surface.

Lee gifted this copy of "The Way of Response" to his most senior student and dear friend, Taky Kimura, in 1971, to further Sifu Taky's education in philosophy and to develop his understanding of its overarching influence on an individual's expression of the martial arts. Lee believed an informed understanding of the human condition was essential to the psychological development of his students, and often engaged Sifu Taky in conversation on this subject for hours at a time.

A treasure for any discerning collector of Bruce Lee memorabilia, this book exhibits some chipping to its surface, creasing on the cover and spine, and more significant edge erosion on a portion of the lower spine. It also exhibits mild creasing on a few of the internal pages. Dimensions: 8" x 5.25" x 0.5" (20 cm x 13.5 cm x 1.5 cm)

Estimate: $7,000 - 10,000

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