Tao Te Ching

Rating:
Summary: Off target
Review: Please do not buy this translation of the "Tao Te Ching." Though Mitchell's effort may have been made with the best of intentions, the results fail to capture the elusive essence of the concept he is pursuing. Try Heider or Hoff; either one will be of more benefit. Don't deprive yourself of a rich philosophy...

Rating:
Summary: Liberal translation of an ancient classic
Review: Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao te Ching is a refreshing departure from most literal translations of such works. The fact that he attempts to translate the meaning as opposed to the language of the text is what makes it refreshing as well as suspect. The reader must rely upon Mitchell's spirtual background to have faith that they are reading a book by Lao Tzu as opposed to Stephen Mitchell. This is a good book for a reader seeking an easy to read Tao. More serious readers should consider reading a more standard translation prior to reading this book. Despite this caveat, I found this to be an excellent second book and read it more often that the more literal translation that I also own.

Rating:
Summary: Stephen Mitchell captures the essence of the Tao
Review: Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching is the best I've read so far. Stephen Mitchell did not translate it from the original Chinese text but read many versions and wrote his own version. His translation says the same things as other translations but better sounding with such beauty, simplicity, and flow. I can only imagine that is how it was originally intended. Stephen Mitchell, from his training in Korean Zen Buddhism, shows a slight influence of it in the text. This is okay because "Taoism" and Zen are closely linked together in thought. While other books try to analyze and make something concrete out of The Tao Te Ching labeling it as "Taoism," I feel that goes completely against the meaning of the Tao Te Ching. It is best just to read it and enjoy it in itself. Stephen Mitchell has done what he says in the introduction, "If I haven't always translated Lao-Tzu's words, my intention has always been to translate his mind"(xii).

Rating:
Summary: My First Introduction to the Tao
Review: The Toa Te Ching has been translated into English more than 40 times and at least 1,000 commentaries are dedicated to it. It has been translated more times than any other book in history, except the Bible. There is a version or commentary for everyone, no matter how poor of a reader or how much of a purist you are.

It is true that this little book is an easy reading paraphrase, but I enjoyed it immensely. It makes a good primer. It is easy to read, yet the reader will want to highlight many passages to meditate on later. It introduces the tao in a way that may draw the reader into more difficult translations later. It is inexpensive and easy to carry around.

It might also be good for the experienced Taoist to read. Different paraphrases cause the mind to see passages with new perspectives. Remember, a wise man can learn from anything; a foolish man can't.

I heartily recommend the book for someone just becoming interested in the Tao, or for anyone who enjoys good wisdom literature from whatever culture.