I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action

I don't care much for nonfiction, but I'm a huge Jackie Chan fan, and I finally decided to bite the bullet and buy the book. I was really surprised at how quickly I was sucked into the story! I read it from cover to cover in two days, and kept forgetting I was reading about a real person, treating it more like a work of fiction than an actual autobiography. As soon as I finished reading it, I turned to the first page and started again! Minus one star for three reasons:1. Jackie's journey from low-class stuntman to world-class superstar was, to me, less fascinating than his early life, making the book start with a bang and then begin to drag a bit. That's a disappointing path for a book to travel.2. It feels like the ghostwriter embellished some things to add drama, and fudged over some of the less savory stuff. Since Jackie himself says he's written his new autobiography (Never Grow Up) partly to correct some of the problems with this book, I'm just wondering which parts needed correction. I haven't read Never Grow Up yet, but based on how much I loved this book, I'm looking forward to reading a more honest narrative.

I read the disclaimer: Writing, markings, etc... may be found on the book..I knew I was buying a used book. I took the chance, since "I Am Jackie Chan" has been a hard book to find. Also, I've read the book already, so to me, it was worth the risk.I received it today, and it has a few bends on the soft cover, but other than that, the book is perfect.I noticed that the book is actually sold for six US dollars, More than double what I paid for it, but alas, I have my book and I can sleep at night.I'm one happy customer. Maybe I got lucky, who knows. No book is the same when it's used. So this review may not be the same for other customers.As for the book itself, it's an awesome book. You might want to rent it out at your public library if it's not available on Amazon.I can't say much about the book without talking too much. All I can say is that it's an amazing story. Jackie Chan tells how he got his name, Jackie Chan! I always thought it was a super awesome story, and I enjoy telling others about it. When I tell them, they think it's funny and I can't help but smile. I read "I Am Jackie Chan" 14 years ago, for the first time, and I still remember a lot of the book. Why did I buy it, if I still remember the book? I'm starting a library of my own, and this book was a "Must Have" for me. That's how awesome this book is. :D

I was so touched by this book. I was expecting possibly a light read that just talks about Jackie Chan's achievements, but this gets pretty intimate about Jackie Chan's extremely difficult childhood, in which he trained at an opera house from 5 AM to midnight every day, seven days a week, with brutal physical punishment for not performing to the master's standards.He wears his emotions on his sleeve almost like his characters do in his movies with his open face. I wanted to cheer when the story of his life went well and laughed at his misfortune (it's easier to laugh when it's all after the fact). And he's had some major reversals of fortune in his life that range from ironic, heartbreaking, to great success. And he's honest about what movies he made that he doesn't like and his dissatisfaction with his own approach to work and not making enough time with his family. It was a little bit sad to read that and to know that he still kept working constantly.Now I enjoy his movies even more knowing just how much he gives and risked his life to entertain audiences.

This is a fabulous look at the youngster coming to age in China. The extensive training and discipline he went through to be what he is now is amazing. Years of hard training beyond that of normal men! We are delighted to get such an insight to the icon known as Jackie Chan and enjoy his every move!

When selecting this book, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was certainly surprised when I began reading. Based off of his fun-loving charisma today, you would have never expected that he was raised in an extremely strict setting. Of course that never stopped him from acting out and putting people in their place, but punishment was cruel during his time and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him and his Chinese Drama Academy family. Reading about his struggle on finding a promising job after his life at the Academy really helped me put into perspective as to how hard he's worked to become what he is today. I was a bit surprised when he shared his struggle with acting, since that's what he's known for, but I suppose with each film, an actor's skills only get better. Overall, this autobiography is very intriguing as it is consumed of many things I've never read of before.

After reading this book on Jackie Chan I am truly amazed that he survived his early childhood, but it has made me appreciate all the efforts he uses to make sure his movies are funny and action packed. I know that I could not have gone thru what he did in the Chinese Opera Schools. This book had a lot of pictures of him as a young boy and of his parents. Well worth reading to know about one of your favorite actors.

Had to have it cause the book just looks so cool. I am Jackie Chan. Awesome Thank you

Bought it for my girlfriend and she enjoys it.

I've always been a Jackie fan, since childhood!So when I came across this autobiography I jumped at the chance to pick it up. Now I'm a self confessed lazy reader. I may read like 20 or so pages each night at a push. However, once I picked this up and finished the first chapter I was hooked!Its filled with everything to do with Jackie's life, right down to the smallest of details!I also loved the added collection of childhood pictures, and the short introductions in his own words to each of his movies in the back of the book! (I still glance over that the odd time I throw on a Jackie movie, just to see his thoughts on how it turned out).Fan or not, this is a great read regardless.

I am a fan of Mr Jackie Chan after reading this book honestly.Huge respect & admiration to him & what he has achieved through hard graft & dedication.This is actually the second time I have purchased this & I still enjoyed it.A good read.

Gripping read, the start is one of the best descriptions I have read of an action scene I have read, it felt like I was there! Be warned it’s very difficult to stop reading and very easy to start

I don't usually read biographies, but this is such a lovely, optimistic and funny book! Just like Jackie's movies. Glad it crossed my path and would recommend to anyone - whether movie, kung fu or book fan, or just someone needing a laugh before going to sleep. Quickly ended the beginning of my postpartum depression :)

Well written.