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The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu Paperback – November 15, 1996

by Lao Tzu (Author), Brian Browne Walker (Translator)

76 customer reviews

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The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu is one of the most widely read and deeply cherished books in the world, a work many consider the wisest book ever written. In his introduction, translator Brian Browne Walker says, "It is less a book than a living, breathing angel."

In his new translation, Walker stays close to the direct literal accuracy of the Chinese characters while producing a modern, exceptionally clear version that has the ring and voice of Lao Tzu, a man who may or may not have been a single individual. "I have come to think of Lao Tzu less as a man who once lived," Walker writes, "and more as a song that plays, eternal and abiding."

The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Browne Walker has been a student of Chinese and Taoist philosophy for many years now. He has translated the Hua Hu Ching and the I Ching and has written The Crazy Dog Guide to Lifetime Happiness and The Crazy Dog Guide to Happier Work. He lives with his daughter in Boulder, Colorado.

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Product Details

Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (November 15, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312147449
ISBN-13: 978-0312147440
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.3 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #311,932 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #51 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age & Spirituality > Divination > I Ching
- #82 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts > Tao Te Ching
- #214 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts > Taoism

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Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars

5 star		80%
4 star		11%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		3%

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Top Customer Reviews

brightest and most beautiful

ByJ O Holloway (joholloway@datacruz.com)on February 6, 1999

Format: Paperback

Walker's version of the Tao Te Ching is by far the most beautiful and has (at least, for me) the clearest and deepest meaning. This is the the book that has taught me the most about the tao; this is the translation from which I read to my son. I hope you read it.

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The Most Faithful Translation of a Sacred Text to Date.

ByA customeron May 12, 1996

I have read many different translations of Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. Mr. Walker's translation opens up to the reader a whole new realm of Tao philosophy with beautiful, insiteful words which more perfectly capture the essence of Lao Tzu's thoughts and philosophy. Lao Tzu was one of the greatest philosophers and sages of our planet, and Mr. Brian Walker is the individual alive today who is most in tune with the ancient bodisatva's thoughts. This book is well worth the money as it comforts an individual in any possible situation. The wisdom of the Tao is eternal, and this translation of the Tao Te Ching captures its essence better than any other translation I have come across

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filled with clarity and wisdom

ByMarco V. Paraynoon February 9, 2004

Format: Paperback

i had read many translations of the tao te ching and i'm happy to say that mr. walker's version is readable, smooth and filled clarity. it is a good translation because he explained the tao te ching without sounding so cryptic. instead, he explained with great clarity that even a five year old kid will appreciate. again, i recommend this translation and thanks, mr. walker.

0Comment 18 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Weak Translation

ByBumblebee Adamson November 5, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Of the approximately one-dozen translations of the Tao Te Ching that I have read, this is my least favorite. The translation sometimes strays into surprisingly shallow waters.

Mr Walker, in an apparent attempt to "modernize" the Tao Te Ching, has simply diluted its strength.

Mr. Walker's pronoun usage further weakens the timelessness of this classic text. The Tao Te Ching, in its original, uses gender neutral language. The best translations retain this neutrality. Mr. Walker, unfortunatley, uses gender specific pronouns -- sometimes masculine and sometime feminine. This "modernization" distracts from the power and universality of the Tao Te Ching's ideas.

The book is very handsome, though.

If you're looking for a modern yet more faithful and powerful translation -- one with depth and bite -- I recommend two: one by Ellen Chen, and one by Derek Lin.
Both are excellent, and both include excellent commentary, too.

1111 comments 17 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

My favorite translation

ByR. Markhamon October 4, 2008

Format: Paperback

So far this is the best translation of the Tao Te Ching I have come across. I have tried the often recommended version by Stephen Mitchell, (which Brian Walker also recommends), but I just did not connect with it. It surprised me that I preferred Walker's version because it is the more literal translation, so I expected it to be less poetic and moving than Mitchell's version. On the contrary though, I found Walker's version to be much more poetic and moving.

Another reviewer has commented that Walker states this is not a strict translation. For me, I am not much concerned whether a version is a literal translation, or more of a "rendition". What matters to me is whether I connect with the words. I'm not qualified to say how literal Walker's translation is, but to put the other reviewers comment into perspective, let me quote from Walker's forward:

"I have endeavored in my own to stay as close as possible to the direct literal translation of the Chinese characters; in a very few places, it proved impossible to do that and get the proper idea across, and in those instances I have used the minimal amount of poetic license necessary to effectively communicate the teaching."

In any case, you can compare the first several poems from both versions here on Amazon. I suggest you compare each side by side and then get the version you connect with most.

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A fair translation.

ByA customeron July 10, 1997

I was very pleased at the translation given to this book. I was rather pleased with this book by Walker, although the same feeling was not shared with his interpretation of the Unknown writings of Lao Tzu. I would adise, though that one should read MANY interpretations of the Tao Te Ching, and interpret each one unto himself

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My book discussion choice

ByKindle Customeron March 24, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

My friends and I chose this book title for our most recent book to discuss. I downloaded the Kindle version of the text and found this book much more enjoyable translation.

This translation is more like poetry with subtle spirituality.

We all have different translations of the book and share all of them at our meetings.

It's totally worth reading this book. The "chapters" are short and it's a book that I intend to keep near by and return to again for inspiration.

If someone wants to "study" Tao Te Ching, I suggest you get a more academic version to study AND this version to thoroughly enjoy.

Much good wisdom.

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The Translation That Trumps Them All.

ByJ.Tayloron September 30, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A wonderfully sensitive translation of this ancient work by Brian Browne Walker. I have given this many times to friends who are ready for this very valuable key to self understanding. I've read my own so many times that I'm surprised how well this attractive little paper back has held up given its nearly twenty years in my life. I've read other translations and this one trumps them all.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Incredible teachings

Lao Tzu's teachings are incredibly simple yet effective and a belief and behaviour system that can and will change your life.Read more

Published 4 days ago by Amazon Customer

Best translation of Tao Te Ching

Love this book. My favorite version of the Tao and there are many. This is about as "pure" a translation as I've come across.

Published 5 months ago by Carl

Gave My Copy Away

OK not special. I prefer REd Pine & Witter Bynner

Published 6 months ago by Michael Steven Claman

Five Stars

good product, good service

Published 7 months ago by Shivadancer

Five Stars

was a gift from me

Published 7 months ago by Elizabeth A. Mac

good translation

Published 8 months ago by J. Allen

Choose This Version!

A wonderfully, well-written version of the Tao Te Ching.

Published 10 months ago by Patricia Jeffers

Five Stars

Brain Walker is an excellent author.

Published 10 months ago by M. Flaherty

Five Stars

This version is so good!

Published 1 year ago by Cali

Five Stars

Excellent quality product. Shipped promptly.

Published 1 year ago by karen daves

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The Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu Paperback – November 15, 1996

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