Bruce Lee holds a special place in Seattle’s heart – and Seattle played a key role in Bruce Lee’s life.

He attended the University of Washington. He taught martial arts around the city. And after his tragically young death, at the age of 32, Lee was buried at Lake View Cemetery on Capitol Hill.  

A biography by author Jeff Chang traces this journey alongside the cultural and political context in which Lee was becoming the international icon he is today.

It’s called “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.” 

In the book Chang shows how the rise of Bruce Lee mirrored the rise of Asian American identity and the ways that they each shaped each other. 

GUEST:
Jeff Chang, author of "Water Mirror Echo" 

RELATED LINKS: 
Book Review: ‘Water Mirror Echo,’ by Jeff Chang - The New York Times
‘Water Mirror Echo’ explores how Bruce Lee still shapes Asian America
Remembering Bruce Lee, and his time in Seattle, on the 80th anniversary of his birth | The Seattle Times

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Bruce Lee holds a special place in Seattle&rsquo;s heart &ndash; and Seattle played a key role in Bruce Lee&rsquo;s life.
He attended the University of Washington. He taught martial arts around the city. And after his tragically young death, at the age of 32, Lee was buried at Lake View Cemetery on Capitol Hill.&nbsp;&nbsp;
A biography by author Jeff Chang traces this journey alongside the cultural and political context in which Lee was becoming the international icon he is today.
It&rsquo;s called &ldquo;Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.&rdquo; In the book Chang shows how the rise of Bruce Lee mirrored the rise of Asian American identity and the ways that they each shaped each other.&nbsp;
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>Jeff Chang, author of "Water Mirror Echo"&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/books/review/water-mirror-echo-jeff-chang.html">Book Review: &lsquo;Water Mirror Echo,&rsquo; by Jeff Chang - The New York Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/bruce-lee-biography-jeff-chang-21026888.php">&lsquo;Water Mirror Echo&rsquo; explores how Bruce Lee still shapes Asian America</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/remembering-bruce-lee-and-his-time-in-seattle-on-the-80th-anniversary-of-his-birth/">Remembering Bruce Lee, and his time in Seattle, on the 80th anniversary of his birth | The Seattle Times</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

A biography by author Jeff Chang shows how the rise of Bruce Lee mirrored the rise of Asian American identity and the ways that they shaped each other. 

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