Customer Reviews

Tao of Surfing: Finding Depth at Low Tide

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Hello, I am Han Chinese born in Guangdong Province and have embraced the Five Elements of Taoism for 58 years. I also have surfed the sea on 4 continents. My formal education is in the United Kingdom, with two graduate degrees completed in the United States of America, where I lecture per annum.

To suggest this tome works well or even moderately well is to confuse the issues we have judged to be important in good writing, let alone the true simplicity and harmony of Tao. Mr. Allen has a pedestrian talent for crafting sentences and is at very best a tolerable narrator.

To construct tales directly from life experience or perceived life experience is a beautiful thing, but not to spend even a moment making any sense of, or trying to explicate these experiences proves a true lack of insight. Semi-literates lost in a chaotic twirl of inchoate thoughts and ramblings are capable of the same. All of this is not even to mention the trite, ridiculous heart that palps pitifully within this ill-considered and constructed work. Literature is, and must always be more than this. Always Sir; Always, until the end of time! For those who believe there is genuine meaning in organized human expression for the sake of communication, please do not be mislead by this inane chronicle.

To reflect from Tao:

"The best of man is like water, Which benefits all things, and does not contend with them, Which flows in places that others disdain, Where it holds fast to Tao."

My professional opinion is that with additional instruction, through research and close supervision, Mr. Allen is capable of a far superior work, as according to Tao:

"He does not contend, and so is without blame."

His interest in Tao is evident, his understanding is not. Mr. Allen please seek elucidation. Do not base your whole being on the philosophy of Lao Tzu {Yellow Emperor}.

Although this book was received as a Holiday {Boxing Day} Gift, in good conscious I am not able to recommend the title to anyone, nor will it be loaned out. It is in the nature of the Tao that it cannot be spoken of:

"To speak of Taoism in a clear and rational way is, in fact, not to speak of Taoism."

an intersting slant to surfing and life in general. very short though and some grammatical errors make it a little less than perfect in the editing dept.

Having read this book, I can recommend it unequivocally. It is filled with pathos, plot, subplot, dialogue, pages and alliteration, not to mention irony, paragraphs, and page numbers.

Don't miss this book, or, for that matter, "Post Office", by the unrelated author Charles Bukowski.

Having read this book, I can recommend it unequivocally. It is filled with pathos, plot, subplot, dialogue, pages and alliteration, not to mention irony, paragraphs, and page numbers.

Don't miss this book, or, for that matter, "Post Office", by the unrelated author Charles Bukowski.

I am learning how to surf and this book inspires one to surf for all the right reasons. Mixed in is a bit of life to maybe even learn something. All in all it is a good/quick read. Well done.

i read this book a few years ago.it is a great read.you will enjoy it if you are a real surfer.micheal conveys the true feelings that you get when riding waves.it is also a good story about tthe love for a brother.if you surf i highly recommend it.

I thought the book was an entertaining, relaxing read. Not only does the author tell his story and explain many taoist concepts explicitely, the way in which he "speaks" seems to express an even better example of the universal laws and ways of being related to taoism.