The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine [Hardcover]

Ted J Kaptchuk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1983

Completely and thoroughly revised, The Web That Has No Weaver is the classic, comprehensive guide on the theory and practice of Chinese medicine. This accessible and invaluable resource has earned its place as the foremost authority in the synthesizing of Western and Eastern healing practices.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ted J. Kaptchuk, O.M.D., is associate director of the Center for Alternative Medicine Research and Education at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 402 pages
• Publisher: distributed by St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865530211
• ISBN-13: 978-0865530218
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acupuncture 101, April 14, 2001

By 

"anderdog" (Camp Hill, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine (Paperback)

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine. The average lay person may find more information here than they need at first but better that than a dumbed-down, less comprehensive book which will leave them nothing to turn to if/when they eventually decide they want more information. And unlike some Chinese medical books where 'facts' are produced seemingly from thin air, each of Kaptchuk's chapters is followed by an extensive section of notes/references.

The Web was one of the first books on Chinese medicine published in English for the layman and despite its limitations, I feel it is still one of the best. I am a practicing acupuncturist/herbalist and I recommend this book to my patients. It isn't perfect - sometimes there's too much detail, the illustrations could be clearer, could have included more info about herbs, etc. But to Kaptchuk's credit, some sections of this book are written with a beautiful simplicity unmatched by anything I've seen written since, e.g. when he compares the way Chinese painters represented the natural elements in their landscapes to the "poetic logic" a Chinese physician employs when evaluating a patient. It is no small task to sum up traditional Chinese medicine in a single volume but Kaptchuk has done an admirable job.

351 of 381 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Classic?, August 19, 2000

By 

Phylis Wheeler, LAc (Granada Hills, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine (Paperback)

This book is considered required reading for every acupuncture student and is often recommended for patients who are interested in learning more about the medicine. I find it too difficult for the layman. and the text becomes laborious. Exploring the wonders of Chinese medicine should be exciting and enjoyable. There are many books which fulfill this with excellent illustrations. As students we found the book less than helpful and few ever finished reading this tome. As a practitioner, it sits on my shelf, but I have never referred to it.

My recommendations for the beginner in these studies are:

1. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicine by Tom Williams

Great pictures, easy to read. Have it my waiting room. Most read by my patients (next to the Chinese astrology books).

2. The Chinese Way to Healing: Many Paths to Wholeness by Mischa Cohen, LAc

Mischa presents the medicine clearly and has easy to follow suggestions for self care.

3. Healing With Whole Foods, Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitcford

Integrates Oriental and Western nutritional knowledge. Excellent resource for layperson and practitioner alike.

4. ANYTHING by Giovanni Maciocia or Dan Bensky

5. A Manual of Acupuncture by Peter Deadman and Mazin Al-Khafaji

As a professor of acupuncture, I have found this textbook to be one of the best attempts to integrate all of the translated material and organize it into a very readable reference. Excellent, invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike.

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for the student of acupuncture, September 2, 1998

By 

Brian Paige (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine (Hardcover)

This book is a very good treatment of the subject of acupuncture, and its associated methods of diagnosis and pattern recognition. Herbology is not discussed. Having finished the book, one will at least have an understanding of what one's acupuncturist is talking about, and may be able to take steps to better one's health. The meridians are described in basic detail, with interior and exterior branches discussed. Points and their properties are not discussed. Overall, a very good and basic description of acupuncture and its methods.