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Jack M. Balkin
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The Laws of Change: I Ching and the Philosophy of Life Paperback – December 16, 2009

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 57 ratings
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As important to Chinese civilization as the Bible is to Western culture, the I Ching or Book of Changes is one of the oldest treasures of world literature. In this masterful new interpretation, Jack Balkin returns the I Ching to its rightful place as a book of wisdom that teaches how to live one's life in a changing and confusing world. Balkin's comprehensive and perceptive commentaries highlight a clear, understandable version of the core text of the I Ching that preserves its striking imagery while remaining faithful to the long tradition of ethical interpretations of the work. The Laws of Change: I Ching and the Philosophy of Life offers the most detailed commentaries available in English on the I Ching's ethical and philosophical teachings, a comprehensive survey of different methods of consulting the I Ching, and an excellent history of the I Ching's transformation from a Bronze Age diviner's manual to a beloved book of wisdom that lies at the very heart of Chinese culture. This is an indispensable work for anyone who wants to understand the I Ching and its history.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    676 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sybil Creek Press
  4. Publication date
    December 16, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6.14 x 1.36 x 9.21 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0984253718
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0984253715
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"[A]n engaging translation and interpretation of this Chinese classic. . . . [T]he I Ching's evocative imagery makes it a great work of literature, now more accessible than ever thanks to Balkin."-- Publisher's Weekly

"[A]n excellent I Ching to consult. . . Balkin [has] grasped the essence of the Changes."-- S.J. Marshall, Yijing Dao

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sybil Creek Press (December 16, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 676 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0984253718
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0984253715
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 1.36 x 9.21 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 57 ratings

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Jack M. Balkin

Jack M. Balkin

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
57 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

fyreflye
5.0 out of 5 stars The most lucid version of the Yi available
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2006
Verified Purchase
First of all, this is not a "translation" from the Chinese but a clear interpretive reworking of the text of Wilhelm/Baynes (with a nod to Blofeld) informed by the most recent scholarship and decades of personal use. It's a book for those who use the Yi for divination or for the study of its philosophy rather than for scholars. After a solid no-nonsense review of the Yi's historical origins and a summary of the philosophy that informs it, Balkin leads the reader through each hexagram with a text that follows the Wilhelm/Baynes version but includes a commentary that makes clear what the Baynes translation sometimes leaves muddled. Yes, there are even footnotes referring some of the key phrases back to their Chinese originals with variant readings. Jack Balkin is a Professor of Constitutional Law at Yale, not an occultist or a writer looking for a quick buck with an I Ching knockoff. This is a true labor of love and the fact that it's being remaindered with no paperback yet in sight is a real tragedy. Grab this book while it's still available in its beautifully produced hardcover edition. It doesn't deserve to become another lost classic.
35 people found this helpful
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Eileen Evermore
5.0 out of 5 stars The Balkin Translation is Vital part of Any Philosophy Library
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2017
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I have been journaling the I Ching for 45 years. During that time I have consulted and studied numerous translations For the serious student, this translation is no substitute for the Wilhelm/Baynes translation or the Alfred Huang translation, but it is a valuable addition to either one or both of these other two translations. And if you are someone who wants easy access to the wisdom of this great book, without studying its inner workings, then this is the book for you. It is by far, the most user friendly, comprehensive, scholarly, thorough, and 'faithfull' translation,
I have ever read. Basically, Jack Balkin has done all the work for you. I highly recommend his book as a vital part of any philosophy Library.
7 people found this helpful
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Rachel M Shelton
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Writing
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2021
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This is one of my top 3 I Ching books. I like Balkin's fatherly approach to his reader, as if written for his students. His translation holds true to Taoism's philosophy, "If good, good. If bad, good."
Good resource materials included. Reputable source.
4 people found this helpful
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Brahman
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Modern Version of the I Ching
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2010
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This is the best version of the I Ching for modern readers if they're looking for an in depth explanation of each hexagram and each moving line. I have cross checked it extensively with several other translations and I find that there is no other author who so completely captures the spirit and the letter of each of the 64 gua and the moving lines. Along with each hexagram you will also see a convenient list of alternative names or "images" for the gua in question. This is a book that belongs on the shelf of any dedicated I Ching scholar or enthusiast. As valid for divination as it is for scholarly research.
9 people found this helpful
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William A. Bason
5.0 out of 5 stars The best I Ching and commentaries I've ever used.
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2010
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I've used the I Ching for nearly 40 years and this is the very best version and commentaries I've ever found. I am just delighted to see it back in print! Jack Balkin adds an intuitive feel for human psychology, along with the clear and concise mind of an accomplished legal scholar to the ancient wisdom of the book. The result is a remarkably useful volume. This is the very best of the many translations and versions I have used. I highly recommend this book, and wish for more stars to give it here.
5 people found this helpful
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Austin M
5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best version of the I ching available in the US
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2014
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Mr. Balkin has put together some of the best insights available on the I ching to date…. It is with great pleasure that I give this review, as I read this book daily as my I ching study guide. His depth of knowledge and the amount of research he put in is obvious to anyone who takes the time to read this book. Don't wait but now, it's the only I ching you will ever need, unless you wanna start speaking mandarin lol.
3 people found this helpful
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Independent1
5.0 out of 5 stars There is a reason why it has 85% 5-stars.......its great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2017
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Instant favorite commentary of the hexagrams and lines! And I am studying it seriously enough to be looking at 10 of them. Not a small book! Excellent work, thank you kindly Jack! The Sage has perhaps never shown greater ethical wisdom in modern versions! I was blessed with a beautiful copy, in very good used condition.
6 people found this helpful
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mwbooker
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable Contribution
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2020
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Serious, credible treatment of the I Ching, very accessible writing style. I really like this interpretation.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Wonderlust
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great I Ching book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2022
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I have a good handful of I Ching books at this point and Balkin is one of the best. Balkin saves you the need to buy WIlhelm, Wing, Dening etc because he paraphrases them in his own commentary (along with page references to the originals). I think Balkin, Huang and Karcher's "Total I Ching" are your best bets for covering the most ground these days. If you just want a good translation without commentary, Hinton's is excellent.
3 people found this helpful
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KAILASH KOTIAN
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in India on July 15, 2022
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It’s an excellent read.The author has done a great job.It’s the easiest book I’ve ever found on understanding I Ching and it’s psychological meaning.It’s a must have book on I Ching.Great work.
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Plutonic
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic surprise!
Reviewed in Spain on March 16, 2022
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This book is obviously Wilhelm/Barnes based, but quite complete and became one of my favorites.
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Johannes Demuth
5.0 out of 5 stars passt
Reviewed in Germany on August 4, 2014
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so wie ich es mir vorgestellt habe. Also auch nicht besser aber auch nicht schlechter. Irgendwie so wie es beschrieben war
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Jose Carlos
5.0 out of 5 stars Brutal
Reviewed in Spain on June 21, 2020
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Excelente. Esta es una de las traducciones y comentarios que me resultan más acertados y coherentes con lo preguntado,de tal forma que apunta en la diana de una forma asombrosa, en contraste con otros autores que se van por las ramas. 100% recomendado.
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