Book Review: Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee
I just finished listening to Be Water, My Friend by Shannon Lee, and it left me with a sense of calm, curiosity, and inspiration that I didn’t expect. I’ve always known Bruce Lee as the lightning-fast martial artist from movies — the legend everyone talks about in awe — but this book, written by his daughter, opened a completely different side of him.
Shannon doesn’t just talk about her father’s career or fame; she explores his way of thinking — his philosophy of life. The title comes from Bruce Lee’s famous phrase, “Be water, my friend,” which I’ve heard countless times before, but never really understood. Through Shannon’s explanations and reflections, I finally grasped what it means: to stay adaptable yet strong, to flow around obstacles instead of crashing into them, and to live with awareness and balance.
What surprised me most was how much pain and struggle were behind Bruce Lee’s strength. I didn’t know he suffered from a serious back injury that could have ended his career, or that he died at just 32. Despite that, he kept creating, teaching, and pushing boundaries — physically, mentally, and artistically. Hearing about his resilience made me see him as more than just a martial arts icon; he was a philosopher in motion.
I think that’s what makes this book special. It’s not just about martial arts — it’s about life, creativity, and how to move through the world with intention. Shannon narrates it beautifully, weaving her own reflections with her father’s writings and interviews. It feels part biography, part meditation, and part guide to living with flow.
As someone who grew up practicing Taekwondo — earning a black belt and even winning gold medals at district-level tournaments — Bruce Lee was always a distant hero. We talked about him in class like he was the ultimate standard of perfection. But after listening to this audiobook, I feel connected to him in a completely new way. His teachings suddenly feel relevant beyond the dojang — in how I think, work, and handle life’s ups and downs.
Now I kind of want to watch all his movies again — but this time, not just for the fight scenes.
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