Product Description

A masterpiece of practical philosophy, this is the manual composed by Lao Tzu for China's rulers to help them enhance interpersonal relationships and cultivate the enduring qualities of leadership.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #80278 in Books
• Published on: 1986-01-03
• Released on: 1986-01-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Language Notes
Text: English, Chinese

From the Publisher
A masterpiece of practical philosophy, this is the manual composed by Lao Tzu for China's rulers to help them enhance interpersonal relationships and cultivate the enduring qualities of leadership.

B & W illustrations throughout

From the Inside Flap
A masterpiece of practical philosophy, this is the manual composed by Lao Tzu for China's rulers to help them enhance interpersonal relationships and cultivate the enduring qualities of leadership.

Customer Reviews

An old friend
I honestly can't say I've read many books that "changed my life" but I can't help saying that when I talk about this book. I'll spare you from any details about my personal life, but when I first read "The Tao of Power" ten years ago, it had a profound affect on me. At some points it seemed to state obsevations that I myself had recently made. At other times it seemed to answer many of the questions that had been consuming my waking hours. I can't say for sure that it was this book that forced me to change the direction of my life, but it will always be attached to many of the better decisions I made during that period.

I've bought and read many copies of the Tao te Ching over the years, but this translation reamins my favorite. It's well organized, easy to read, and has the best footnotes and translations available. Mr. Wing reduces his own comments to notes at the bottom of each page, leaving more room for illustrations and calligraphy. To me this shows his respect for the asthetics of the work itself.

Most other translations spend too much time in thesis and not enough time showing the beauty and power of the work. One of the beauties is it's simplicity. An individual could spend years deciphering this work, and many have, but I prefer to draw my own conclusions. R.L. Wing offers insights and explanation without forcing many of his own beliefs on the reader. Granted he does try to show practical day to day applications, but it's subtle enough to be forgiven.

I will always have a fondness for this book that extends past "a good read". Undoubtedly, most of you won't feel the same way I do, but if you manage to get a fraction of what I got from it, it will be worth your while.

Excellent reference points...
This book was recommended to me by a fellow Taoist, when I pleaded, 'I love Feng & English's translation, but'. This translation is not merely a translation of 'The Tao Te Ching', but a complete reference book. It has a clear commentary on each of Lao Tzu's chapters, plus an ongoing account of history as it pertained to each Dynasty/Period in Chinese evolution at that time. Please don't let the rather pretentious title, 'Tao of Power', put you off. Add it to your library. You will not regret it!

If you get one, keep it.
This is a fantastic translation of the Dao De Jing. (I have others.) Perhaps I'm biased because it was the first one that I ever owned. And as a beginner in Chinese who knows, but I find the expression of concepts very sound, very simple and in complete agreement with esoteric law as I understand it. I have used it well over the years and soon will buy my very next copy. I'm so glad that it's still in print as I keep lending it to people who seem to want it more than me.