I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action

Amazon.com

Since his first role in 1962 at the age of 8, Jackie Chan has appeared in more than 70 movies. For more than 20 years, he has been the biggest star in Asia, but in the West he remained a secret, his movies passed around on tape and his fame growing by word of mouth alone. In the '90s, with the success of crossover movies like Rush Hour and the support of a new generation of filmmakers who grew up watching Jackie Chan videotapes, his star finally rose in the West. But where did he come from, and how did he achieve so much?

His autobiography, I Am Jackie Chan, answers those questions in an engaging, almost novelistic style. When his father moves to Australia to take up a new job, the young Jackie is placed in Hong Kong's China Drama Academy under the tutelage of Master Yu Jim-yuen. For the next 10 years he is trained in martial arts, dance, acrobatics, singing, and comedy, while suffering extraordinary hardships, including regular beatings and near-starvation. Yet he can look back on this period of his life with considerable affection, not least because it taught him the skills, and provided him with the network of friends, that would sustain his film career for decades. Chan has always earned the respect of his fans by committing himself wholeheartedly to creating the most death-defying stunts possible. His achievements seem even more remarkable when set against the struggles described in this book. In the Drama School, as a young stuntman, in his first troubled attempts to make movies in America--Chan's personality shines through, and I Am Jackie Chan can only enhance his reputation as one of the most likable and admirable movie stars in the world. The book also includes Jackie's comments on all of his movies, lists of his favorite stunts and fights, and an astonishing catalog of all his major injuries. Can you imagine what it must feel like to dislocate your cheekbone? --Simon Leake

Book Description

As one of the biggest stars to burst into U.S. theaters, Jackie Chan has wowed audiences with death-defying stunts. But who really is this lightning-fast Charlie Chaplin of martial arts moviemaking? Now, in I Am Jackie Chan, he tells the fascinating, harrowing, ultimately triumphant story of his life: How the rebellious son of refugees in tumultuous 1950s Hong Kong became the disciplined disciple of a Chinese Opera Master. How the dying art of Chinese opera led Jackie to the movie business. And how he broke into Hollywood big time by breaking almost every bone in his body.

Customer Reviews:

Good book for a Jackie's fan.......2006-03-22

my wife's english is not good. but she found that it is very easy to understand this book as Jackie's movie. She has fun with it and use it to prove her english.

Engaging and entertaining.......2005-08-10

A fascinating insight into the mind and career of the world's biggest movie star. With exhaustive (and exhausting!) descriptions of Jackie's brutal Peking opera training and early days as a stuntman and actor, almost everything you want to know about Jackie is here.

Not that there aren't omissions - his illegitimate son Jaycee, now trying to make a name for himself as an actor, is never mentioned. Jackie is also quick to take credit (he claims 'Half a Loaf of Kung Fu' and 'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow' were the first kung fu comedies, which they weren't) and slow to give it out (he describes his opera brothers' film 'The Prodigal Son,' arguably the best kung fu movie ever made, as "solid"). But Jackie's charisma and determination shine through on every page, and you can't help but admire the guy. A must read for Jackie fans and aficionados of Hong Kong cinema.

Is there a better man living?.......2005-02-07

Dood tottally I'm not kidding, Jackie Chan is like a god amongst men, a god who makes flawed movies in his old age (flawed is polite considering the horrible movies he's currently putting out). Man Jackie Chan is so great it makes my balls sweat whenever I think about it, in this book he talks about how he and his crew broke into an amusement park to steal... not money but bread crumbs!!! Becuase Master wanted his students to work hard, this is not a book for weaklings, they will fret and feel weak as they learn of the heroic and disciplined exploits of my man JACKIE FING CHAN! Man in this book he talks about how some dudes wanted to fight, but he didn't cuase Master taught him only to fight for show and not fight for violence. Man the world would be a better place if we all had to read this book. Mandatory reading for High Schools this should be.

Jackie Chan Rocks My Socks.......2005-02-01

Jackie Chan has had a very eventful life. When he was a child he lived in on an ambassadors mansion in Hong Kong. Soon he was sent to a Cantonese Opera school, which was a boarding school where he was trained, day and night for over 10 years of his young life, in the ways of Chinese Opera. Chinese Opera is not the same Opera you and I may think of it as, but instead is a very acrobatic physically demanding show. He then went into the stuntman business, which was a very difficult road for him. For many years he struggled with finding work but he soon became a much wanted stuntman. Eventually he went into small acting parts, which led to bigger acting parts. Soon enough he was a huge success in Hong Kong, and eventually got married to a famous Chinese actress. Jackie still travels a lot and his wife is a stay at home wife who raises his son.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. It is full of constant action and keeps your attention. I Am Jackie Chan is an easy read and fast paced I was unable to put it down, except of course when class was over.

True insight into Jackie Chan's world........2005-01-08

If you are a Jackie fan, you definitely owe it to yourself to read this book. Straight from the source, honest and at times brutal, Jackie's autobiography will give you great insight into his life and his long struggle to become one of the greatest stars in the world. It is a fascinating look into a culture and world that may be very alien to some readers, and provides interesting insight into the development of martial arts cinema in Hong Kong, the rough life and work of its stars (and stunt performers), and of course Jackie himself. You'll see, through his eyes and his words, why he has pushed himself so hard and continues to do so.

He is honest in his opinions and you may find yourself not always pleased or in agreement with his view on things, but he owns up to many of the mistakes he's made in his life and you have to respect him for that honesty.

Read, enjoy, and learn to appreciate Jackie Chan on an entirely new level.

Average customer rating:

I Am Jackie Chan - My Life In Action
Jackie with Yang, Jeff Chan
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q751IS

Average customer rating:

I Am Jackie Chan : My Life in Action
Jackie; Yang, Jeff Chan
Manufacturer: Allen & Unwin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1865081310

Average customer rating:

I AM JACKIE CHAN: MY LIFE IN ACTION
JACKIE CHAN
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVJ50G

Average customer rating:

I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action
Jackie Chan
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUVZ5U

Average customer rating:

I am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action
Jackie with Jeff Yang Chan
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L33E1S

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Dan Coates Complete Christmas Music Collection (Easy Piano)

Average customer rating:

Coated with snow

Dan Coates Complete Christmas Music Collection (Easy Piano)
Dan Coates
Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0769290078

Book Description

A collection of 76 secular and sacred songs, compiled into one great easy songbook. A wonderful collection for the whole family to enjoy through the holidays! titles include: These Are the Special Times * The Birthday of a King * A Child This Day Is Born * The Chipmunk SOng * The Coventry Carol * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * I'll Be Home for Christmas * The Little Drummer Boy * O Come, O Come Emmanuel * Up on a Housetop and many more!

Customer Reviews:

Coated with snow.......2000-12-14

Dan Coates is a wonderful writer. This music is great! This level of difficulty is not too high and the music is catchy to sing along.

Average customer rating:

underwhelming
More for Piano than For Guitar and Vocal

The Complete Christmas Music Collection

Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0769264336

Book Description

127 favorite popular and traditional Christmas songs in one beautiful collection. Titles include: Christmas in New England * Christmas Eve in My Home Town * Christmas Time Is Here (from A Charlie Brown Christmas) * Gesu Bambino (The Infant Jesus) * God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen * Sleigh Ride * Winter Wonderland.

Customer Reviews:

underwhelming.......2005-12-16

I bought this book after flipping through it in a music store. I was looking for something to take home for Christmas so we could have a good ol' time singing carols around the piano. This book has an incredible selection of songs. There are old, obscure pieces, more familiar secular songs as well as sacred hymns. I am sure that every Christmas song you can think of is in this collection (Even "Believe" from the Polar Express).

The deal is, that I'm pretty sure the book was just slapped together in a hurry without any proofreading. The pages are out of order at times, and more than half of the songs contain errors. A few arrangements are terrific, but lots of them sound like they were arranged by drunken first semester music theory students. HOWEVER if you have not been exposed to any professional ear training or music theory, then these songs will probably not bother you and you will be quite happy with them.

Most of the pieces are written so that they the intermediate pianist will have no trouble learning to play them. There are lyrics as space permits, usually one or two verses. If the piece has room at the bottom of the page, more verses are typed out, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

More for Piano than For Guitar and Vocal.......2005-12-03

While this is a great collection of songs, including a lot I have never heard of, I was disappointed that "Complete" doesn't describe the lyrics. Many of the songs only have 1 or 2 verses and the chorus. For the number of pages, I would have preferred fewer songs and complete lyrics.

Also, there are way more chord changes than any guitar player I know would use or than I have ever heard in a song. It makes it difficult to play unless you go through and figure the standard changes.

Not being a piano player or great at reading music, I can't say for sure, but it looks about right for simply figuring out a new song on the keyboard.

Piano Christmas - Keepsake Edition: The Complete Christmas Collection

Average customer rating:

Piano Christmas - Keepsake Edition: The Complete Christmas Collection
Carol Tornquist , Mark Hayes , Teresa Wilhelmi , Bruce Greer , and Bob Krogstad
Manufacturer: Word Music
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1423423976

Book Description

Including more than 60 classic songs of Christmas, this collection combines the talents of several experienced keyboard arrangers, offering a wide variety of musical styles. From traditional carols like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" to songs for all ages like "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," this folio provides a wealth of seasonal solos in a spiral-bound keepsake edition.

Average customer rating:

Complete Christmas Music Collection

Manufacturer: Warner Brothers Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 157623486X

Average customer rating:

The Complete Christmas Music Collection

Manufacturer: CPP/Belwin, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HTGLJS

Average customer rating:

The Complete Christmas Music Collection

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Music | Judaism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0757980244

Book Description

Schultz has brought together a spectacular volume including 65 titles This volume will be used over and over again, and includes Familiar Christmas Hymns, traditional carols, and popular Christmas songs, all the late-intermediate to early advanced level. Great for students, parties, church, professional pianists, etc. Piano solos with complete lyrics make it a versatile collection.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books