Customer Reviews

An Introduction To The Philosophy And Religion Of Taoism: Pathways To Immortality

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

 

 

This was an excellent introduction to Taoism. Fowler does not give too many straight quotes from Chinese doctrines (Tao Te Ching, etc), but instead gives you a wonderful "bigger picture" idea of what these ancient doctrines are expressing. This is a perfect book for someone who is looking to self-educate in the ways of Taoism. Highly recommended for all age groups and academic levels.

The author, Jeaneane D. Fowler is "the dean of religion and spirituality for the Continuum of Humanist Education, the online school of the Institute for Humanist Studies" with a doctorate in Semitic languages. She is also an "Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Wales College, Newport, in South Wales, U.K. She was formerly head of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University." She's written many books on various religions and philosophies, but she apparently doesn't rely on and/or can't read any primary Chinese sources in this book. Instead, she relies on secondary sources, not all of them very good.