| Date: 28 April 2011, 08:12
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Tao Te Ching
By Lao Tsu, Jacob Needleman
* Publisher: Audio Literature
* Number Of Hours:
* Publication Date: 1988-08
* ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0944993249
* ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780944993248
Product Description:
A classic text for Eastern philosophies, dating from possibly as early as the 6th century B.C., advocating simplicity and peacefulness as a way of coping with stress and chaos. 2 cassettes.
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.
Summary: 19th century translation of Warring Kingdoms volume
Rating: 2
James Legge (1815-1897) is all you need to know about this translation. This thoroughly Victorian volume was one of 50 books in the Sacred Books of the East Series which Legge (and Max Mueller) translated into quaint missionary English. Legge's work lies entirely in the public domain, can also be found at Project Gutenberg, and in modern history is one of those antique but praiseworthy free texts that find themselves constantly dragooned into electronic book readers. There are several excellent modern translations of the Tao Te Ching, written by scholars for whom Classical Chinese is, as it were, an open book. Not recommended. Legge's missionary style is occasionally prudish or even deliberately obscurantist, although for the time and place it stands as a monumental beginning in Western sinology.
Summary: Profound work + loving translation
Rating: 5
Even though they are often at opposite ends of the philosophical spectrum, the Analects of Confucius and the Daodejing are two works which I love reading and re-reading time and time again. They are both works with a level of profundity that reward the reader who savors them slowly, and revisits them from time to time, as one's reading will often reflect what the reader is experiencing at the time. That is what makes them great: they are powerfully profound, but also incredibly personal works as well which invite intimacy with the reader. The Daodejing in particular, with its wonderful dualistic harmony, beautiful imagery, and lovely concepts such as the quintessential paradox of wei wu wei (to act without acting--which is not the same as "not acting"!) is particularly divine.
I especially enjoy this particular translation, which is clearly put together with loving attention and attachment to the work. The calligraphy is beautiful (and for people who read Chinese characters it is nice to have the original text for comparison), the photographs are artistic, and the translation is superb. It is too bad that Mitchell's version appears to be the most popular, as I feel this translation is much superior. Often it is small word choices here or there, but Mitchell's version (it is not a translation per se, as he does not read Chinese) feels just a little bit off most of the time, at least compared to my understanding of this work through other translations and my readings on philosophical Daoism in general.
Of the translations I have encountered, this is by far my favorite. Add to that the wonderful calligraphy (sure to be enjoyable even to people who can't read it) and photos and this is a real winner. This is just my opinion, but if you're looking to read the Daodejing for the first time, this translation is a great place to start.
Summary: beautiful book, overdone translation
Rating: 2
i bought this book because i loved its look - the art and calligraphy. sadly, that's about all i've gotten from it. i found the translation dull and unhelpful - overdone, like most of the tao te ching translations that i've read.
my favorite translation - translation, after all, being the real point of getting this book - is by ren jiyu, and the book is titled "the book of laozi." much more direct and effective!
Summary: Highly recommend
Rating: 5
There are so many awesome words of wisdom in this book -- I very highly recommend it -- a book you will want to keep for life, and refer back to. I would rate it 10 stars if I could.
Summary: I haven't received my items
Rating: 1
It has been a month after the estimated date my items would have reached me and they haven't. Can you check on this???
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