These Fists Break Bricks (Revised and Expanded Edition): How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World

Name: These Fists Break Bricks (Revised and Expanded Edition): How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World
Price: 40.00 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780762489480

✍️ Grady Hendrix

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A revised history of kung fu cinema's impact on American culture.

The text analyzes the shift in performance arts during the modern era, focusing on how physical prowess combined with narrative drive to captivate international audiences. It covers the mechanics of fight choreography and the ripple effects across continents. The authors use film posters and distributor records to trace the path from a niche interest to a worldwide phenomenon. This approach avoids simple entertainment in favor of a structured analysis of the genre's rise and fall.

Key Themes

kung fu cinema history Black martial arts Bruce Lee imitators

Literary Context

The book covers the period starting in 1973 with the release of Five Fingers of Death. It examines the genre's influence on American society, including its role in shaping action movie styles and contributing to the birth of hip hop culture.

Grady Hendrix

📚 all books by this author (48) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Readers interested in the sociology of hip hop origins · Scholars of action film choreography and industry mechanics

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Running Press Adult 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780762489480

📚 This Book in Collections

🆕 New Horror Books

📝 Description: These Fists Break Bricks (Revised and Expanded Edition): How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World

Grady Hendrix and Chris Poggiali trace the journey of kung fu cinema from its niche origins to its dominance in American pop culture. The narrative begins with the 1973 release of Five Fingers of Death in Times Square, an event that ignited a widespread craze among Black and Asian audiences who initially lacked context for the martial arts techniques shown on screen. The book examines how this genre reshaped action filmmaking, influenced the development of hip hop, and introduced major stars like Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and Donnie Yen to Western viewers. It details the sociological impact of these films, including the history of Black martial arts in America and the subsequent wave of Bruce Lee imitators. The authors also uncover lesser-known aspects of the industry, such as CIA funding for karate movies and fabricated media campaigns regarding Black karate gangs. This revised edition includes a foreword by RZA and spotlights on unsung performers and poster artists. It provides a structured analysis of fight choreography mechanics and the greed-driven shutdown of the genre through infomercials and fearmongering. Readers seeking a scholarly examination of performance arts history will find value in its clear presentation of how martial arts films evolved into a global phenomenon without relying on hype.

💎 Our verdict on These Fists Break Bricks (Revised and Expanded Edition): How Kung Fu Movies Swept America and Changed the World

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Hendrix and Poggiali deliver a compelling, scholarly examination of kung fu cinema's rise and its profound impact on Western audiences. The book excels in tracing the sociological ripple effects, from hip hop's development to the history of Black martial arts in America. By utilizing film posters and distributor records, the authors provide a grounded analysis of how physical prowess combined with narrative drive captivated international viewers. This revised edition, featuring a foreword by RZA, spotlights unsung performers and poster artists, offering fresh insights into an often-overlooked cultural shift. It is best suited for readers who prefer clear, hype-free historical analysis over mere entertainment, making it a valuable resource for understanding the mechanics behind a global phenomenon.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a structured, analytical look at how kung fu cinema reshaped American culture will find this book invaluable. It appeals to those interested in the sociological impact of martial arts films, particularly their influence on hip hop development and Black performance traditions. The text offers a deep dive into the mechanics of fight choreography and the industry's greed-driven shutdown, avoiding simple entertainment for rigorous examination. Those fascinated by the journey from niche interest to global phenomenon, including the role of CIA funding and fabricated media campaigns, will appreciate the clear presentation of how these films evolved without relying on hype or sensationalism.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Hendrix and Poggiali deliver a compelling, scholarly examination of kung fu cinema's rise and its profound impact on Western audiences. The book excels in tracing the sociological ripple effects, from hip hop's development to the history of Black martial arts in America. By utilizing film posters and distributor records, the authors provide a grounded analysis of how physical prowess combined with narrative drive captivated international viewers. This revised edition, featuring a foreword by RZA, spotlights unsung performers and poster artists, offering fresh insights into an often-overlooked cultural shift. It is best suited for readers who prefer clear, hype-free historical analysis over mere entertainment, making it a valuable resource for understanding the mechanics behind a global phenomenon.