Customer Reviews

I Ching: Book of Changes

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His translation of the I Ching is hardly useful in daily practice, but his abundant commentary helps you in understanding the I Ching. His commentary contains portions of a long Confucianist tradition which was the standard for centuries. Only that makes this book a must.

I was interested in this version of the I Ching because it was the first major translation into English. It is not as detailed as some of the other versions that are out there, but I like this translation because it another, older, perspective on the I Ching. There are some aspects on the book that I felt were covered in this version, that weren't covered as much in others. I also like this book because I admired James Legge for being the first one to write a complete translation of the I Ching in English.

This book is anything but impressive. Not a tome for the beginner.

Is nothing more than an explanation of the history of I Ching. No new interpretation of the symbolism of this ancient oracle can be gleaned from this text.

Better look elsewhere for guidance and understanding

If what you want is only to find out what tomorrow will bring, then do not waste Mr.Legge time. Although his translation style may not appeal to many, his commentaries are still one of the best on the I Ching.

Generally, I am a defender of James Legge's translations against the depredations of those who would condemn him as an obfuscating embarassment in the world of Classical Chinese translations. Generally.

In this case, I must admit that if you're interested at all in the Yi Jing you're better off avoiding Legge's translation entirely. In the original Chinese it is an arcane book to begin with. Legge's arcane language on top of that results in a book that is indeed a conundrum. You may as well use "Finnegan's Wake" for divination.

Even if the klunkiness of the translation doesn't get you, the mind-bending page layout and design will make give you a screaming migraine headache and will make your fingers ache from flipping around needlessly.

It's just not worth the bother.