When Five Fingers of Death opened in a Times Square movie theater on March 21, 1973, only a handful of Americans knew the difference between an Iron Fist and an Eagle’s Claw. Within weeks, that had changed forever.

Kung fu movies unleashed a carnival of carnage on the American box office, influenced the birth of hip hop, and introduced America to some of the biggest non-white stars to hit Hollywood’s silver screen. Now, for the first time, their true story can be told. This lavishly illustrated book tells the insanity-inducing true story of how a bunch of scrappy, bare knuckled movies came to America and raised Hell for 15 years.

2025's revised and expanded hardcover edition features new material on superstars like Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, and Donnie Yen, plus spotlights on unsung performers, movie poster artists, low-rent film distributors, 1980s video companies, and more!

New edition hits stores July 8!

 PRE-ORDER NOW!

  Can’t read? Get the audiobook!