Product Description

The most accessible and authoritative modern English translation of the ancient Chinese classic. Offers the essence of each word and makes Lao Tsu's teaching immediate and alive.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49615 in Books
• Published on: 1997-03-04
• Released on: 1997-03-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.com Review
Scholars say that the original Tao Te Ching is a poem. Like a poem, this version of the Tao Te Ching is not meant to be read in one breath from front to back, but is to be at intervals internalized and contemplated. Jane English's haunting black-and-white photos that undulate in and out on every page act as glycerin elixirs, helping the words slide into our souls for patient digestion. The photographs--of a glistening spider web, cloud-enveloped mountain tops, reflections on water, leaves in the sunlight--are as serenely lyrical as the ancient text, itself.

Review
"No one has done better in conveying Lao Tsu's simple and laconic style of writing, so as to produce an English version almost as suggestive of the many meanings intended." -- Alan Watts

Language Notes
Text: English, Chinese (translation)

Customer Reviews

An Attractive copy of the Tao Te Ching
It would be a little silly of me to review or criticize Lao-Tzu's writings...but, I would like to comment about this specific copy.

The translation is one of the more succinct versions I've encountered. Because of this it appears and sounds more poetic than most translations, but the drawback of a terse translation is that it only makes the notoriously ambiguous Tao, harder to grasp.

The best thing about the book is that it is very pretty. To simulate the Yin and Yang, the pages alternate between black and white. The chinese characters on one page and the English translation on the next. The book is inundated with drawings from nature, augmenting the themes and serenity of the words.

This is a great copy if you're already familiar with the text or for display. If you would like a copy for serious study, I'd go with Jonathan Star's Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition.

'This is called "following the light."'
It is hardly difficult to understand the enduring quality of the Tao Te Ching. Written by Lao Tsu in the sixth century BC is a simple, quiet book that reflects upon our true nature and our behavior. Broken up into 81 'chapters' or short poems, it comprises a mere 5,000 words. Every other sentence is a memorable quote, and one can read it in an hour and study it for a lifetime.

What I do find remarkable is the durability of this particular edition. My copy is ancient, dating back to my college days. At frequent intervals it seems to come to hand and I will peruse it again and enjoy the clarity of this translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English. They have carefully chosen a simple, accessible style which I feel completely captures the nature of the Tao. "What is a good man? A teacher of a bad man.

What is a bad man? A good man's charge."

Accompanying the text are many fine examples of Gia-Fu Feng's calligraphy and Jane English's photographs. While I like Chinese calligraphy, I lack the understanding to make any judgement. I can only report that it shows flow and grace, and works perfectly with English's photographs. These latter capture, most often with natural images, a play of contrast which often is as calligraphic as the accompanying handwriting. Thus, the book itself is a careful balance between content and form.

At the end of the day, or in an otherwise tense moment, this volume has often been the source of the tiny bit of sanity that makes the next day possible. There is much to meditate on here and this edition is a precious resource for the seeking mind.

Essential Tao Te Ching..
I had read this version of the Tao Te Ching previously on the web before deciding to buy the book. The way the text flowed together made me decide to purchase this edition and I just recieved the book today and it's gorgeous.

First off, it's large. About the size of a magazine and all the pages are printed on smooth almost glossy type of paper.

Each verse (for lack of a better word) gets it's own page accompanied by pictures depicting various scenes of nature. A real compliment to the writing allowing you visualize what's being read.

One of the neatest things is that the original Chinese writing is also included on the page facing the English text. Very nice touch.

All in all, if you're looking for a beautifully rendered version of the Tao Te Ching and a great format that will look good on the bookshelf for years to come, you can't go wrong with this one.