Customer Reviews

Tao Te Ching: The New Translation from Tao Te Ching: The Definitive Edition (Tarcher Cornerstone Editions)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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this book, so you can imagine that I was a little worried when I saw this newer edition that I might have bought an outdated version.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)

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.

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.

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. I'm sure the translator provided a very literal translation of the work. There's nothing wrong with a literal translation, but it tends to focus on what a work says rather than what it means (and doesn't take into account cultural difference between modern America and China in the Sixth Century BC).

What Jonathan Star has done with this translation is to get at the heart of what Tao Te Ching is all about and present a lyrical and accessible translation of the work's meaning. This is the best translation of Tao Te Ching that I have ever encountered ... and it was well worth the money I spent on it. (Of course I can also say the free version was worth every cent I paid for it, too.)

I feel that the Tao Te Ching is one of the most beautiful and important set of sacred writings the world has today. I enjoyed this rendering of the classic work. I can't say I am an expert on the Tao, but I've read a few translations. If you are new to Tao, I urge you to pick up this translation as it is inexpensive, compact, and is a great introduction to this depth of universal wisdom written by the sage Lao Tzu.

For English speakers, the Tao Te Ching can be known only through translations. This makes the skill and heart of the translator extremely important. The connotations or context of a Chinese idiom, if literally translated, can confuse or even defeat the true meaning. This edition of the Tao Te Ching is accessible and full of life. Moreover, idioms such as "straw dogs" are not left in a literal form that may make them confusing or confound the purpose of the passage. At the same time, the Tao Te Ching in my humble opinion is a multi-faceted work. One of the intriguing things about it is that in the Chinese it is open to several different interpretations, which may all be correct in a sense. Those of us who do not read or comprehend ancient Chinese instead must read the translations. Another favorite translation is Mitchell's, which draws on his experience with the Tao Te Ching's grandchild, Zen. I also enjoy the more literally translated version from D.C. Lau, published by the Everyman Library. This translation by Star is very worthwhile, and might be the best single version.

I've pondered many English translations of this text, and it's always good to consult them, but this one is a modern take that seems to give a clear and insightful rendering, while still maintaining the poetic and mysterious simplicity of the original text.

I am a Taoist, though probably not the kind you'd find described somewhere in an encyclopedia. Take the teachings of the Sages (Lao Tzu, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammad...) and I embrace the formless truth behind their words.

This translation seems very clear and consistent with what I know to be true. A true blessing to read. As with all things, the truths will be revealed as you make the inner journey and apply the teachings.

May this book assist you in that journey. Peace.

Awesome book. Very short. Precise. I am on my second read through. I picked this book up after it was recommended from a friend. He used it to get him through a rough time in his life. I happen to read this after a rough time in my life, and it really touched me. I don't really have much to say, except it's your choice weather you want to pick this book up or not. I use it for meditation, and when my mind needs to slow down. A book that will stay with me.

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?

This is not the most literal translation of the Tao-te-Ching (though it's not mistranslated; the original meanings of the text are there). But, like the forward says, this translation has a clarity, poeticism, and spirituality about it that many translations lack. I've read a number of translations of this beautiful little book, but this one is one of my two favorites (alongside the Stephen Mitchell version). Highly recommended to anyone who's curious enough to come here and read this review.