Rating: 
Summary: Overly simplistic, lacking in depth
Review: There are much better translations of the Tao Te Ching out there. One gets the sense from reading the Stephen Mitchell translation that it was tailored to sell in the west. I would recommend the Red Pine translation above all any day of the year, as it makes use of all discovered versions of the Tao Te Ching in its translation, and includes commentaries on each verse from scholars of the past 2000 years.
Rating: 
Summary: The Definitive Version?
Review: "A good traveler has no fixed plans / and is not intent upon arriving," writes Stephen Mitchell as the opening to Chapter 27, which is most often translated as "A good walker leaves no tracks." So let's be clear from the start: the Tao Te Ching is a guidebook; nothing more or less.
And as with guidebooks for travelers of all types, following physical or spiritual paths, the text is in danger of becoming the focus of people's attention rather than the subject it tries to embrace. One can almost imagine the pained expression on the Old Boy's face at being asked to define such a thing as the Tao with mere words, knowing full well what the result would be. Fortunately, he also realized he could not remain silent, lest someone else point people in the wrong direction.
So is this the long-awaited "definitive" version of the Tao Te Ching? No, Jonathan Star's version has claimed that distinction. Or was it Victor Mair's? Red Pine's? The right answer is: the one that speaks most clearly to you and points you in the right direction. How will you know this is happening? You'll laugh...
Rating: 
Summary: Incarnation of Mystical Wisdom (reinterpreted)
Review: "The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name."So begins the Tao Te Ching (Book of the Way), written by one Lao-tzu 2500 years ago in China. He left no other records or clues to his life, and only was persuaded at the last minute (by a gatekeeper) to write down this slim 5000 word poem before riding downriver on a water buffalo, never to be seen again. He didn't found a religion or recruit disciples, nor did he care to do so. In his own words, "When you are content to be simply yourself / and don't compare or compete, / everybody will respect you." This translation by Stephen Mitchell is a loose one, more aptly labeled a reinterpretation. But the result is a lucid, simple, and profound work that points the way toward a life filled with wisdom. There is also a helpful notes section in the back of the book where Mitchell repeatedly reminds the reader that he has "improvised" here or there to make the text more modern and especially to recreate the original mind of Lao-tzu as he sees it. It is obvious--even to someone such as myself who hasn't read any other version--that this translation should be accompanied by a more literal rendering. Nevertheless, Mitchell's words have the power to move hearts and enlighten minds. The basic essence of the Tao Te Ching is the Tao, which is evidently the origin of all things. The Tao also nourishes and gives life, and can be known and embodied (at least to a certain degree) by we humans. When we become close to the Tao via our mystical ability of inward contemplation, our being becomes supple, calm, patient, compassionate, and simple in its existence. Knowledge of the Tao is impossible; the Tao can only come of itself, and it is ever present all around us. In Lao-tzu's words: "Your intellect will never grasp [my teachings],
And if you try to practice them, you'll fail. If you want to know me,
Look inside your heart." So the Tao is a fundamentally mystical thing that can only be revealed inside our being. Another critical feature of Lao-tzu's teachings is "doing by not doing." In other words, if you try to be wise then you'll never be wise; if you try to know the Tao then you'll never know it, etc. So in order to follow The Way, we must empty ourselves of judgments and desires, rid ourselves of our ego, stop trying to accomplish things, and just let the Tao come. The wise master possesses nothing (which is not the same as having nothing; possession means psychological attachment), asserts no judgments, relinquishes all attachment, attains happiness by helping others instead of himself, and becomes wealthy by giving to others. His being and mind are also transparent, like empty space to the average man who puzzles over its existence and doesn't know what to do. The master is the very embodiment of the Tao, and thus relinquishes his attempts to exert control over things. After all, he doesn't judge anything and hence doesn't know whether an event will turn out to be good or bad, so how can he try to control the course of events? The Tao is the only real controller, and it controls without effort. This book is the kind of thing one can read in one hour or in an entire lifetime. But don't read it quickly; you need tons of time to ponder the depths of Lao-tzu's wisdom and how you should apply it in your life. The words may at first seem too simple, naïve, even nonsensical. But the Old Boy has an answer for skeptics: "To those that have looked inside themselves,
This nonsense makes perfect sense." This stuff isn't for the mind, it's for the soul. Reason is to the Tao as a wrench is to a heartache: a crude and useless tool.
Rating:
Summary: Wisdom and Poetry Divinely Intertwined
Review: I have only read one other version of the Tao Te Ching. The other was very pretty and well respected. It also made very little sense, was sexist, and had little if anything to do with my life. Stephen Mitchell, after 14 years of Zen training, has brought this amazing and beautiful work into our times. With non-sexist language and beautifully illustrating examples, he shows the modern westerner how to truly comprehend and embrace this wise and simple philosophy. Mitchell sometimes strays from the literal translation, but always for the better, and never without letting the reader know. His notes in the back are amazingly insightful and include the literal translations of the few parts he's changed. I read from this amazing and beautiful book every day.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT INTERPRETATION
Review: I THINK THIS IS A GREAT INTERPRETATION OF "THE WAY" AND "TAO." IT'S SIMPLE...DIRECT....AND NOT "I'M GOING TO USE BIG WORDS TO MAKE YOU THINK I'M SMART". JUST PLAIN, SIMPLE, DIRECT ENGLISH TRANSLATION. THIS BOOK WILL TEACH YOU A LOT ABOUT WISDOM, PSYCHOLOGY, AND OBSERVANCES IN EVERYTHING FROM WORK, TO RELIGION, AND ESPECIALLY EVERYDAY LIFE! IT'S ALMOST LIKE IT CONNECTS YOU WITH YOUR FIRST INSTINCTS ON THINGS. I RECCOMMEND THAT YOU BUY THIS.
Rating:
Summary: the ADD version of the tao
Review: i've read numerous translations of the tao, and this is by far the worst. you should only buy this if you have a supremely short attention span. sure, it's eminently readable, and the words flow nicely, but once you're done, everything will have dissapeared without a trace. call me demanding, but i like a philosophical text to actually make me think. this is just shallow happy-clappy feelgood stuff. for people more serious about it, i recommend red pine's translation.
Rating:
Summary: This book conveys the wisdom and spirit of Taoism
Review: If you choose only one Tao te Ching translation... this shouldn't be it. BUT.... if you choose 2 or 3, this should definantly be among them :)
It is also the best for introducing a Westerner not familiar with Taoist thought to Taoism. There have been complaints by many Taoists about this translation, and I understand their complaints, BUT some people are not interested in Taoism as a Dogma or "religion" or a history lesson.... but in the *WISDOM* of the Tao, which is what this book conveys perfectly.
Though it is not literal I do not find it to be in any way inconsistant with the spirit or wisdom of Lao Tzu's teaching. The language, poetry, and insight in this book as well as the utter simplicity make it a WONDERFUL read... and the "liberties" help make Taoism more accessable to those not accustomed to interpreting the meaning of the literal translation and giving it modern application.
This is one of 2 Tao Te Ching translations I know by heart, I highly recomend it.
Rating:
Summary: I am very confused as to how exactly this book got Published
Review: My copy of the Daodejing is a wood-block print edition from China in traditional characters, thus, I don't really bother with buying new English Translations, especialy ones prepared for hippy wannabees by scholars with no credentials playing off of New Age fantasies and pop-culture. Still, a freind of mine was given this book and brought it to me for evaluation, and honestly, I am very confused. I am confused as to why someone who does not speak Chinese would translate a book that is, even to Chinese speakers, elusive and dificult. I am confused as to why a person would seek to rephrase a work that has already been translated inumerable times when they have nothing new to offer in it's study. Rephrasing other English language works is not typicaly something people pay for... other wise I will get right to work on rephrasing the works of Ernest Hemingway, and we'll see if the same publisher would pay me to do it. I am confused as to why it is so hard for someone to get published if they have degrees and years of study in Chinese philosophy when apparently this novice can waltz in and publish something that isn't even good. I swear, I want his agent. He could probably sell snow to an eskimo. I am confused as to why so many people would seem to get their study of philosophy from sources no more sophisticated than a shopping mall or a quote of the day calendar. New Age spirituality in America is very confusing to me, because it is taken so serriously, but it is so superficial. Anyone who had their 'mind totaly blown' by this book, or who gained a deep reverence for the ways of the east after reading it should realy realize they know nothing about what they are talking about, even if it does impress their friends at the coffeeshop. Finaly, I am confused and so is Mr. Mitchell. He explains that he is qualified to make his marginal contribution because he spent a lot of time in Zen training. I'm a scholar of religions, so I don't want to make this too technical, but Zen is a form of Japanese Buddhism (it's Chinese counterpart is Chan) and the Daodejing is a work of Chinese Taoism. If he came face to face with Lao Zi during his Zen training, then I would hope his Roshi hit him really really hard with his Zen Stick. Zen is Buddhist, the Daodejing is Daoist. Buddhist pracitioners venerate the Buddha, Daoist venerate the Dao, hence the names. Although there is some question of the integration of early Taoist principles into Chinese Chan Buddhism, the overlap is a concern for accademic scholars at best, and certainly, no Zen monastery keeps a copy of the Daodejing or a picture of Lao Zi around. Can we presume that Mr. Harrison was not paying enough attention during his Zen training to realize that modern Japanese Zen Buddhism and Chinese Taoism have nothing to do with eachother? What kind of training did he have? In the end, I am just confused as to why someone would pay money for this book when there are others much better out there, others that are, for instance, actual translations.
Rating:
Summary: Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching is definitive.
Review: Next to the Bible, the most translated book in the world is the Tao Te Ching, the ancient Chinese Book of the Way. It lays the philosophical foundations for one of the world's great wisdom traditions, Taoism. Written approximately 2,500 years ago by the legendary sage Lao Tzu, this classic continues to inspire readers today. To translate a work that has been translated so many times before--and so well--may seem almost an act of hubris. But as the English language continues to evolve, it is the duty of the translator to attempt to restate a classic for his or her generation, in a language that they can best understand. Stephen Mitchell, in Tao Te Ching: A New English Version, has done that for our generation. And to him we owe a debt of gratitude. Huston Smith has called this translation "definitive," and he has spoken well. At first, a traditionalist may be startled by, for instance, Mitchell's referring to the master as alternately "he" and "she;" whereas, the original refers to the master as masculine, only, thereby reflecting the truth of things in sixth century B.C. China. But when one remembers that the translator is duty-bound to bring the ideas of the text to his or her contemporaries in a way that will have most meaning for them, then one can see the wisdom of taking such a liberty. And, after all, it is in the spirit of Taoism to adapt to the circumstance. As water sometimes comes to earth in the form of rain, sometimes snow, and sometimes sleet, but always in accord with the season, so this classic comes to us now in a form that is right for our own day. Thus, once again, this time with the help of Stephen Mitchell, the Tao Te Ching speaks to humanity, pointing the way.
Rating:
Summary: Good translation to begin your relationship with the Tao
Review: Of all of the various translations I have read either all or part of, this is the most fluid and dynamic. Not being able to read Chinese, I will not pretend to comment on its fidelity to the original, but the ideas conveyed by Mitchell inform the Taoist philosophy well. I consider the handful of one star reviews to be unfair; however, since I am not necessarily familiar with the better translations they mention, I cannot make any claims on their individual criticisms. One thing, however, is certain: Just because there may be a better translation does not make Mitchell's a bad translation. If anything, you should become familiar with a variety of translations, and this should certainly be among them.
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