Customer Reviews

I Ching (Shambhala Pocket Classics)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A previous reviewer mentioned the fact that Cleary's translation seems to "miss the point." While I don't know what "point" it missed, I do agree that this really isn't the book for a first time approach to the I Ching. Western readers unfamiliar with the tenets of Eastern philosophy or the use of hexagrams will find this edition of the Book of Change particularly unhelpful.

For a seasoned user of the I Ching this is likely an excellent way to keep the book on one's person at all times--if that's you, this book cannot come more highly recommended. However, for the first time user, the book is vague and almost impenetrable. The instructions for consulting the Book of Change Cleary includes are interesting, but again, of little import to a person unfamiliar with the whole concept the book is founded upon.

Overall, however, Cleary seems to demonstrate his prowess at translating Eastern works (if not necessarily explaining them fully), and this work is akin to his groundbreaking translation of the Koran (Qur'an): clear and concise in language.

This is probably my least favorite translation of the I Ching (I have about three others). It is such a dry and literal translation it is almost unusable.

Example:"Predominance of the great is when the great or almighty predominate.The ridgepole bending symbolizes weakness at the basis and in outgrowths."

The only reason I keep it is because it is, indeed portable. However, I find myself using it more as a guide for the hexagram numbers, (which I have come to know fairly well) NOT the readings themselves.

For what its worth, I have personally found Brian Walker Browne's translation/interpretation to be by far the wisest and most readable version of the I Ching. I never leave home without it.

This is a great little book, very portable, for doing I-Ching readings on the run. The only flaw is that it does not explain to you how to generate the hexagrams so you need to know that already.
I carry mine in a small drawstring bag with 3 Chinese coins.

As others here note, this is a handy reference for the experienced user. Beginners would do better with Hilary Barrett, or perhaps R. L Wing or Carol Anthony (among others).

Shambhala shows a publication date of 1992; I suspect this is a much earlier work by Cleary, who's reputation rests on clear and accurate translation rather than poetic indulgence. The text here -- the source of which is never stated -- is rather clunky and obtuse, recounting the Confucian epigrammatic description, judgment, and image for each of the 64 hexagrams along with commentaries on the changing lines. Those generally familiar with the I Ching will soon be at home with this bare-bones political manual stripped of Victorian-era sentimentality (via to Legge and Wilhelm) and pop-psychological/new age fluffiness (thanks to latter-day Jungians), and might gain some useful insights. New users will be less than edified by commentaries such as "If you fasten something with the hide of a yellow ox, nothing can unloosen it."

The introductory text, though insightful, seems to be written for academics; the book ends with a "List of Hexagrams with their Primal Correlates and Structural Complements." What this means and why the reader should care is not explained.

In sum: It is indeed a handy pocket guide for those who (like me) cogitate on hexagrams and do an occasional cast throughout the day, and like to have a concise source-book on hand. Beginners would do well to build their libraries on more accessible texts before acquiring this one.

This was a enjoyable book to read fun and easy to understand with imformation that was helpful.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my son. he is absolutely delighted with it!

A very intersting view of past and present Chinese beliefs. This book gives you the gist of what this belief is about. The I Ching also shows you how to do your own predicting. Very interesting and quite fun.

Yes. Americans: sport those Emperor's clothes; "U.S.A."! But look to the meditation cushion for new Weltanschauung, OK? Cleary knows the I Ching. This is a simple, streamlined pocket edition, one that lends itself to introducing easy familiarization with this most complex work. Play with it, read a few other translations and come back to this one. You will discover it's brilliance. Highly recommend "The Complete I Ching" by Taoist Master Alfred Huang as a working guide for the practitioner.

I have the Hardcover edition of this edition of the I-Ching by Thomas Cleary, and for my purposes the edition works well, so I just purchased the Pocket Edition a few days ago. I also have Cleary's "The Taoist I-Ching" and "The I-Ching Mandalas", as well as the classic Wilhelm/Baynes/Jung edition.

This edition works well for me because 1) It includes a commentary by Confucius, and 2) I don't use the I-Ching for divination, but instead prefer to read the commentary for the hexagrams and work with the tri-grams. The Hardcover edition is fairly handy, while the pocket edition is good for keeping with oneself and when traveling.

I wouldn't recommend this edition to those who desire to learn to use the I-Ching for divination, but if one is already acquainted with the I-Ching, the pocket edition is quite handy. I wish Amazon and/or Shambhala would have done a better job of advertizing this edition of the I-Ching so that it would be purchased by the proper audience. Many who purchased this edition have written somewhat negative reviews because they were expecting something different. This is disappointing, because this book is better than the overall rating given by those who purchased this edition.

Although I wish Thomas Cleary would do a better job with providing references in his translations, I find the actual translations to be easy to understand. Therefore, even if I believe there is a better translation of a particular work, many times I will also purchase the Cleary translation.

Also, besides the editions of the I-Ching I mentioned above, I also recommend The Complete I-Ching by Taoist Master Alfred Huang, and for beginners, John Blofeld's book on the I-Ching.

I did not notice the size when I bought this and it was a surprise to realize it's so small.
Well, you can carry it everywhere with you and use it as reference ;)
I did not really have time to read it yet, thus I can't comment more..