In the hands of Jonathan Star, the eighty-one verses of the Tao Te Ching resound with the elegant, simple images and all-penetrating ideas that have made this ancient work a cornerstone of the world's wisdom literature.
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"It would be hard to find a fresh approach to a text that ranks only behind the Bible as the most widely translated book in the world, but Star achieves that goal. . . . As fascinating to the casual scholar as it is for the serious student." -NAPRA ReView "Jonathan Star's Tao Te Ching achieves the essential: It clarifies the meaning of the text without in the slightest reducing its mystery." -Jacob Needleman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
82 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I just bought Jonathan's Star's 2003 Edition of "Tao Te Ching - The Definitive Edition" (ISBN-13: 978-1585422692) and was checking Amazon to see what other people had thought about this book, so you can imagine that I was a little worried when I saw this newer edition that I might have bought an outdated version. On closer inspection though I realized that the 2008 edition only has 128 pages compared with 368 pages of the 2003 edition.
On reading the table of contents for both editions I discovered that what Star's publishers appear to have done is to reissue the translation section of his original 2003 book without all the extra and very helpful information he had provided in the early edition.
My advice is to go and check out the 2003 edition before you commit to this later, less definitive, work.
Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition (2003)
On reading the table of contents for both editions I discovered that what Star's publishers appear to have done is to reissue the translation section of his original 2003 book without all the extra and very helpful information he had provided in the early edition.
My advice is to go and check out the 2003 edition before you commit to this later, less definitive, work.
Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition (2003)
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By diggy
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As someone who is new to Eastern philosophy, this book is an accessible, and poetic take on the TTC. I've compared to other editions and the translations vary tremendously not just in style but in use of metaphor, word choice, and cadence. With an ancient text written in a non-wetern tongue, it's difficult for a neophyte to know if you're getting the straight dope.
That being said, it's a beautiful work, and I've found tremendous insight and meaning in it. I would guess that the translation is geared toward contemporary westerners, as opposed academics, and like any work of philosophy or religious thought, it's important to take it with a grain of salt, and consider that it was written for an ancient world. That aside, it's still an essential read that touches on countless human truths. The deceptively simple passages of the TTC can have a profound influence on the way one looks at one's world.
Personally, I feel slightly more at peace, more understanding of the ebbs and flows of life, and from that stronger and more clear-headed, every time I read from this book. One thing the eastern traditions of Taoism and Buddhism seem to stress is seeing the truth for what it is, not believing in signs and symbols, or what you think you know or what you have been telling yourself, and this book illuminates that notion. In a media-saturated society oozing deceptive advertising and political punditry, it's great meditate on reality once in a while.
That being said, it's a beautiful work, and I've found tremendous insight and meaning in it. I would guess that the translation is geared toward contemporary westerners, as opposed academics, and like any work of philosophy or religious thought, it's important to take it with a grain of salt, and consider that it was written for an ancient world. That aside, it's still an essential read that touches on countless human truths. The deceptively simple passages of the TTC can have a profound influence on the way one looks at one's world.
Personally, I feel slightly more at peace, more understanding of the ebbs and flows of life, and from that stronger and more clear-headed, every time I read from this book. One thing the eastern traditions of Taoism and Buddhism seem to stress is seeing the truth for what it is, not believing in signs and symbols, or what you think you know or what you have been telling yourself, and this book illuminates that notion. In a media-saturated society oozing deceptive advertising and political punditry, it's great meditate on reality once in a while.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By H. Simpson
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a beautiful version of the Tao Te Ching, most well understood when read alongside a more literal translation. This one is a bit more modern & poetic than a starker literal translation, but when read together the deeper meanings come through.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
likes Tao Te Ching
I had a family member that wanted this for christmas. They read the book and were happy with the reading.
Published 26 days ago by Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short, Sweet, and Simple.
My favorite verses were verse 20 and 75. The whole book is insightful and poetic. I really enjoyed this and I'm putting it into rotation among my friends!
Published 1 month ago by Sandra Dee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Awesome book, very informative, no Complaints at all!! I can't put it down Great read for anyone looking for more info on the subject.
Published 4 months ago by Alexander Silvestri
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tao Te Ching
This is a book you can use as a devotional. Read in short sessions, or read all at once, and over and over again. It's a great translation. Shipped promptly.
Published 18 months ago by C. Schuster
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Translation
For English speakers, the Tao Te Ching can be known only through translations. This makes the skill and heart of the translator extremely important. Read more
Published on June 27, 2010 by Tai Chi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Far superior translation of one of the world's great books
OK, I admit it. I'm cheap. When I set out to find a Kindle version of Tao Te Ching I was quick to grab one of the free versions. Read more
Published on May 25, 2010 by W. V. Buckley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have an open mind
Awesome book. Very short. Precise. I am on my second read through. I picked this book up after it was recommended from a friend. Read more
Published on April 29, 2010 by Joel Jonathan Venegas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to understand translation
This translation is easily interpreted and reasonably priced. I would probably purchase this book again, but not as my only Tao Te Ching text. Read more
Published on April 29, 2010 by Melissa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not much to say except...
Amazing book. Enough Said. Oh and this is the best version, not too figurative, not to academic. Perfect, so buy it. What are you waiting for?
Published on December 6, 2009 by It's Time
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tao
Tao Te Ching - a must read for everyone. By reading it, you'll understand that to know the way and tp walk it are very different things.
Published on September 28, 2009 by Tadas Talaikis
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