Customer Reviews

Who Can Ride the Dragon?: An Exploration of the Cultural Roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine

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The book is extremely courteous in guiding the reader through the basic structure of that enormously complicated thing called Chinese culture. The first part will be particularly helpful to those who do not know the Chinese language in the way it shapes and articulate thought for those who think in Chinese. The entire cosmology upon which medical theories and perceptions have been formulated is laid out as a reflection of the mirror (language) that bears the warpature to best suit the Chinese language. The first part ably shows how the fact that Chinese does not have temporal tenses in its grammar affects the shaping of premises with regard to the body and medicine in Chinese worldview. Food and Chinese cooking are also introduced as important vehicles that have carried Chinese medicine through its path of evolution. The latter part of the book deals with more theoretical concepts, including philosophy, and how they gave rise to and founded certain clinical practices. The book is an organic introduction to a science that is founded and corrected on the lived experience of thousands of cases observed over two thousand years.

If you're like me, you are inherently attracted to Chinese medicine and suspect that it runs a lot deeper than many books (or current tv coverage, etc) let on. They don't seem to have the time to get into the real meat and science of the MEANING behind traditional Chinese medicine. ...Based upon the recommendation of a friend, I read this book and suddenly it all clicked. I feel like I have a MUCH bigger basis for true understanding, and that I can go forward in terms of both further reading AND application in my own practice. I not only "get" this stuff, but I have a newfound respect for where it comes from. I suspect that to be successful in the practice of Chinese medicine, one should really grasp and honor the meaning in it -- which all too many acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners seem to ignore. I think they're missing the boat. ...A great book; and one that has truly effected my thinking, in terms of a greater good.

Anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the origins of TCM should read this book. For me, it created a lot of connections and filled in many holes in my learning. As a student of TCM, general statements are often made about how a particular theory is related to an aspect of religion or culture, but you really don't fully grasp what is meant by those statements. This book goes a lot more in depth into the various cultural and linguistic origins of the medicine, while at the same time inviting the reader to go further in depth in his/her own study. This should be required reading for every student of TCM.

It's a great book for all chinese culture lovers It gives us a comprehensive idea of Traditional Chinese Medicine origins and basis . Provides a good biblography too A must for everyone who wants to understand more and more about traditional chinese culture and art of healing

This wonderful book helps to unravel the mystery of Chinese medicine and thought. I recommend it to all my students and patients, and find it invaluable for practitioners as well. It clarifies the historical Chinese medical world view and offers a succinct and highly enjoyable journey into a different paradigm.

Who Can Ride the Dragon was the first book on Chinese medicine that actually made sense to me. It starts by talking about Chinese medicine in terms of its native language and through that portal this dense and complex flower opens. Interspersed with charming antidotes, the puts Chinese medicine in the context of its natural whole. It is not separate from any aspect of the culture, on its most fundamental level it is the culture. By looking at Chinese medicine through a linguistic perspective one can see the root of the thought process that created this beautiful method of reharmonizing one with their environment. The art of the medicine grew from a succinct philosophy of duality and this book pin points many accessible examples of its origination. I especially like the last chapter which includes is a list of 83 key terms in Chinese medicine as well as superb explanations and historic quotes. There is no other book quite like this because it is an approachable foray into system of thought that is as simple as it is complex.

I like the book BUT! I don't feel right about bringing it to school, or recomending it, because of the sex chapters. It would be better with out them. What a waste.