The Feng Shui Handbook: How To Create A Healthier Living & Working Environment (Henry Holt Reference Book) [Paperback]

Lam Kam Chuen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Henry Holt Reference Book | Publication Date: January 15, 1996

Merging ancient Chinese wisdom and contemporary Western needs, this guide provides practical steps for making your living and working environments more attuned to the life forces around you.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Literally "wind and water," feng shui is a Chinese belief system dedicated to finding harmonious siting plans for buildings by taking into account the metaphysics of energy flow, geography, and a complex calculation of time cycles and the influence of the five elements of the cosmos. Architectural historian Lip has written an information-packed introduction to classical Chinese architecture replete with diagrams, photographs, and her own beautiful brush paintings. After a detailed dissection of the way Chinese structures function, she explains the core concepts of feng shui and then examines actual Ming and Qing temples and palaces in terms of their placement and structure. British feng shui consultant Master Lam Kam Chuen has produced a more practical book designed with the homeowner or apartment dweller in mind. Short text blocks are interspersed with vivid watercolor examples of siting and energy flow, with tips for improving the harmony of many common living situations. Although he cautions that without the services of a good geomancer we are dealing with a simplified knowledge of feng shui, he gives such hints as how to assure restful sleep by solidifying the tortoise placement of our beds and how to avoid a stagnant social life by not locating dwellings on cul de sacs. Journalist Lagatree provides a very quick and simple overview of feng shui. Oriented primarily to interior rearrangements rather than house sitings, the book might provide tips for realtors dealing with Chinese buyers or advice for designers who do not want to imperil clients, but it doesn't provide a thorough grounding for readers new to an intricate and foreign way of looking at the physical spaces that surround them. Because of its historical insights and in-depth analyses, Lip's book would be appropriate for academic libraries while Chuen's thorough but readable advice would be the best choice for general readership.?David McClelland, Temple Univ. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (January 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805042156
• ISBN-13: 978-0805042153
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starter book!, May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Feng Shui Handbook: How To Create A Healthier Living & Working Environment (Henry Holt Reference Book) (Paperback)

As a newbie, I found this book to very helpful to understanding the reasons behind feng shui and inspirational in making me want to apply it in my life. He brings up things noone else I've read (yet) does, and has a more individual approach. Is he offbase? Are the others? Who knows? I tend to be skeptical of the "band-aid" feng shui cures such as mirrors and flutes, he hardly mentions them. The other books I've read, seem to have all gotten their material from the same source, I suspect that he actually knows what he is writing about as it not the same cookie cutter feng shui.

The book is very visually appealing and illustrations help you to actually understand the underlying principles involved.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical intro to a wisdom that works!, October 14, 2003

By 

Giant Panda (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Feng Shui Handbook: How To Create A Healthier Living & Working Environment (Henry Holt Reference Book) (Paperback)

One can find many misleading Feng Shui books today, claiming ancient wisdom while in reality written by modern charlatans wishing to make a buck. Not this book! "The Feng Shui Handbook" is one of the best books I have found on the subject, and it seems to be accurate and trustworthy, in addition to containing many beautiful and useful color photos and illustrations, making it a very interesting read. It is written by an authoritative master of this Chinese art which, even now, is taught in architecture universities throughout China.

I was reading this book prior to moving into my present residence a few years ago. The book gave me practical knowledge and advice on choosing which apartment to rent, how to arrange my furniture, and how to decorate the place. The advice given is practical and makes sense. For example it points out that having a wall behind one's seat feels much more comfortable than having empty space (try it!). Another recommendation I gleaned from the book is buying a screen to partially block the front door, an experiment that made my living room much more comfortable and cozy. The end result of using this book's advice is years of enjoyment in my residence, and an endless stream of compliments by everyone who visits me about how comfortable and cozy my living space is. This in turn has contributed much to my satisfaction with life and well-being over the past few years.

I have since used this book to rearrange my office space at work, and again the result is much more comfort and better productivity than my previous arrangement. The book gives you advice not only about positioning things, but choosing the appropriate colors and material for furniture and surroundings. I definitely will refer to this book soon when I go looking for my first house. It is the next best thing to hiring a real Feng Shui expert from China, and it works!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Handy Handbook, March 15, 2002

By 

thiscantbegood (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Feng Shui Handbook: How To Create A Healthier Living & Working Environment (Henry Holt Reference Book) (Paperback)

This book is really good for anyone who just wants the basics. It also has plenty of illustrations to help train the reader's eyes. Master Lam Kam Chuen does an excellent job explaining energy flow, location of doors, furniture placement, etc. and how it affects us. But this book is not just about houses. He also gives advice for the office, as well as how to break up space if you have a one-room dwelling.

I knew absolutely nothing about Feng Shui before I bought this book, which I admit I bought for the colorwheel. I changed my bedroom around based on the master's advice, and now I sleep like a baby! I'm glad I bought this book BEFORE I redecorated. It really saved me from making some expensive bad choices.

This book is easy to carry around if you are shopping for a new apartment or house. A handbook for sure.