The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu (The Essential Wisdom Library) Paperback – November 15, 1996

The vendor (Secondsale.com) shipped a book with a torn cover and damaged corner. I greatly enjoy this book, Brian Walker does the best translation of the Tao for an American readership. The book itself is 5 stars, but the book seller is mediocre.

Unlike Ben Abraham "B.A."'s review, I find Brian Browne Walker's translation both spirited and lively but also in fidelity to the original. I believe he is an intuitive student of the legendary sage.I must say I am not a scholar of ancient Chinese literature, so yes, I could easily be off-base. However, I have numerous versions of the Tao te Ching, both scholarly and contemporary, and BBW seems at the top in striking the balance between the two types of translation. And let me tell you, I have read MANY translations that have taken much more "contemporary" license.From my perspective, the Tao te Ching strikes me as a book that begs to be recast in contemporary idiom. Antiauthoritarian to the core, I believe the book is the formative genius to foster fresh reimagination that flows like ever-gentle sculpting water into every evolving situation, old begetting new.BBW seems to have been highly influenced by Ellen Chen's scholarly acumen of the Tao te Ching. This I think keeps his translation close to the original but not slavishly so. Often, I read numerous Tao te Ching translations of a passage and I find BWW right in the sweet zone of providing the accuracy of the text but also in a freshly imaginative way.OK, you cannot really go wrong here. Buy several translations of the Tao te Ching (and yes BWW), compare them, and make your own verse. But let all these sweep you into the mystical solemnity of this majestic book.

My reading of Walker's translation takes meaning from its poetic power to shine a light inward. This is the scope and praxis of the Tao to move one toward heroic self reliance. Moreover, this translation is the most assessable one I've read. Each chapter, each verse, provides a moment of contemplation to look not only at one's inner landscape, but to measure the contemporary moment we find ourselves and reflecting back the places where we are unbalanced.This book is a living meditation which illuminates the Tao in every step, every significant moment we take forward. I've given this book to friends for gifts. I've used it is a primer for guidance. But most importantly, I've used it to transform my own life.Other translations of the Tao Te Ching are overly academic missing the simplistic unfolding of the moment we live in. One won't find that type of corruption in Walker's translation.I read passages from this book everyday, and what I find is that its wisdom has seeped into the core of my being, and softened the contours of my thinking mind, and wild heart. I believe this is what Lao Tzu had in mind in writing this masterpiece of human wisdom.Further, my guess is that Lao Tzu himself would be able to take refuge in the pages of this book with both a smile on his or her face, and provide a knowing nod that Walker captures the heart and essence of the Tao.

To understand Tao, one must goto the source (or as close to it when one doesn't speak Chinese). This was a perfect introduction into the frame of the Toaist mindset. In searching after a balanced approach to life, reading from the ancient wisdom becomes the perfect catalyst for such pursuit.My agenda for purchasing this text was to provide my 16 year old, hyper-headstrong, daughter was to offer her an alternative (and stable) perspective to much of the new age type stuff she had delving into. Without command or demand, I handed her the book with a smile. She grabbed it out of my hand, "I'll have this read by the morning!" "This is not intended for speed reading" I replied, as she left to her room. The next morning came and on our way into town she asked, "where did you get that book?" She read a couple of already favorite passages to me with a glowing sense of self as Lao Tzu's truths washed and cleaned her mind for the trivial and left her with a self of direction and peace. An enjoyable read.

Experience is the best teacher. Ego won't understand this.

Terrible . PC and rendered into such ordinary English as to make it simplistic and dreary . He calls the sage She , which gets on my nerves and makes and absurd claim that many of the sages Must have been women . Sort of like watching TV bBC history full Africans and MiddleEasternersThe real problem is that in being too specific the translation is rendered one dimensional and the contemplation is removed and replaced with criticism ( in my case) or dull acceptance (for those who can't think outside the box) .Some examples :The wise person acts without effort and teaches by quite exampleHe accepts things as they come and creates without processing, nourishes without demandingetcFilling to fullness is not as good as stopping at the right moment (a banal observation limited in scope)Oversharpening a blade causes its edge to be lost.When people loose sight of the Tao codes of morality and justice are created , When cleverness and strategies are in use , hypocrites are everywhereWhen parents forego natural harmony parents become pious and children become dutifulFancy things get in the way of one's growthRacing here and there , hunting for this and that--Good way to madden your mind , thats all .I pulled these out at a glance . BBW I Ching is much much better and rendered both wisely and poetically in its smooth assemblage .

I am so thankful for the ability to purchase good quality used books. Otherwise I could not afford them. I'm still old fashioned I guess in that I love to hold my books in my hands and see them on a book shelf. Book was in great shape and I received it quickly.

This is a really nice translation/interpretation of the Tao Te Ching. I found it inspirational and easy to read without any 'dumbing down' of the content. If you are looking for a good translation, give it a try.

My favourite translation of the Tao Te Ching. I keep reading it again and again.

This is my favorite version of the Tao te Ching. I've read others to compare which may (or may not) be truer to way the original text was written, but this is the most beautiful. When I left this book outside, it was destroyed in the rain, and I had to get another one after looking at others, because none matched it for bedside reading over and over. I think overcoming roughness in the translation (by choosing phrases that might be chosen in English rather than ones that never would be) is key to appreciating the Tao, and understanding its essence.

It is so powerful, I can only read it in small doses.

Read this book.