I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action

by Jackie Chan

Book Overview

"I am standing in the sky on the roof of a glass and steel office tower in Rotterdam, Holland. There are twenty-one floors of air between me and the concrete pavement below. I am about to do what I do... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345429133
• ISBN13: 9780345429131
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Hero

This autobiography reads as easily as a letter from a friend. It focuses more on the person behind the image than on the movie star, it's entertaining, the characters and incidents are brought to life, and the pace is even throughout. From the harshness of his childhood training, through all the phases of his career to his international stardom, Mr. Chan maintains a sense of humor, which is why we like him. His persistent spirit matches his physical abilities, and he couldn't be anything but a hero.

Friendly, personal and insightful

Jackie Chan's book predominantly tells the story of his childhood growing up in Hong Kong, but this does nothing to take away from the end result of having read it; a greater respect for this stuntman, actor, etc. who has changed the face of Asian cinema.For those who wonder what he could have to say besides listing his injuries, consider these examples: his impressions of working with Bruce Lee; run-ins with the Asian mafia; his insights into differences between Hong Kong and Hollywood film making; and the startling relationship he has with the star of 'Martial Law' that provides a surprise ending.Far from a 'the making of my movies' book, Jackie Chan offers a person-to-person narrative that sounds like a long, friendly chat with your neighbour.

very good & worth reading book.

I am a Jackie Chan-crazy Korean fan from my childhood. I have grown up with his movies, & he has always been my hero. Every New Year's Day was the day to meet my best friend in a theater. I even started sutdying martial arts seeing his movies.Frankly, I didn't like the fact that he wants making movies in US. JC is JC because he makes Jackie Chan movies in 'ASIA', American moviemakers don't know what he costs, what he needs for his movie. We fell for him when he hurts for his movie, & we loved him & his movies. Ironically, JC is loved because he always put himself into 'real' danger.(maybe I'm a little bit sadistic) Of course, he also gives us big laughs, After all, most of US action movies aren't funnier than JC's. Even 'Rush Hour'(US-touched-movie) isn't Jackie Chan Movie, I think. (not as exiting as his HK movie) JC must be JC. He has to make his own movie.But after reading this book I understand him now. He's 45 years old now, & can't last forever. But he would be able to last much more as an action hero in US with US hi-techs. I want to see him in theater as JACKIE CHAN(the carzy, body-falling, bone-breaking, 'just' him) much longer. Now I read this book, I can see much more about him, share the things with him. You see, 'Everything changes'.This book is really a fun, warm, worth-reading book. How JC became the biggest star in Asia(even now in Staes), how he went through his childhood, rough days, loves, & his BROTHERS. He didn't describe him as a perfect guy, he also tells us his miserable things, & it makes him much more beatifull. Real life success story, from nobody to Asia's most loved guy to a superstar even in US! I recommend this book.

Action Packed

I am a huge Jackie Chan fan. I love all of his movies and thought that this book would be great to read. I was shocked at all that Jackie had been through in his life. Just reading this book made me feel for him, and since I have read this I am trying to see every movie that he has made. This book tells his life story and all of the stuff about his movies that you could not read anywhere else. It has a list of all of the movies that he has made, his top ten stunts, his top ten fights, and the injuries that he has received. I recomend this to anyone who likes Jackie Chan, or to anyone looking for a good book.

More than you think

I am afraid my review is going to be overshadowed by all the others, but I have to try nevertheless. This book is simply sensational. We may be used to laughing and being wowed by Jackie Chan on the movie screen, but I guarantee you will get so much out of this book. His life is certainly interesting, but is the subtle things he points out that will make you think - the difference in culture, the changing of time, friendship, etc. Like his movie, this book is action packed, fluid, and he did his way.