Rating: 
Summary: Truly a beginner's, COMPLETE book of "the way".
Review: I believe I was like everyone else in thought, that I could try to be healthier, but that I wouldn't feel THAT much better. But I did, and I did. So much so that I took Reid's suggestions (ancient Chinese wisdom) to extreme, my life so much better for it. It's amazing how much improvement can be made from diet alone. Acupuncture and herbs can tweek your condition, but the most substancial improvements are made with diet as described in this book. I found great improvements with every aspect tried - including colonics. Areas of possible improvements are endless. With true effort following this book, I have cured my allergies, improved my vision, controlled Reynaud's phenomenon, and have been sick only twice in the past two years (both just a head cold. My most prized improvement has been clarity of mind, best described as level of awareness. I also recommend Reid's, "The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing", as an important compliment. Although this second one is repetishous of "The Tao ...", it has some sound info on food profiles (p.108) and some important material (not in "The Tao ...") on replenishing or building up your lactobacteria colony, especially following any colonic irrigations. If you have interest in taoist philosophy and practice, "The Tao ..." is a great place to start, covering most every aspect "the way" can be applied and reaped in ones life. Happiness and Wholeness.
Rating: 
Summary: New ideas to me, but concept seems quite valid in practice.
Review: I feel that many of the dietary concepts presented are not realistically achievable for most westerners in daily life. Some breathing instructions are excellent. The section on the Tao of Sex is entertaining and interesting historically. The concept of coordinating breathing, intimacy, and control are real and become apparent in practice. I recommend this book highly.
Rating:
Summary: I No Longer Need Lithium
Review: I have spent the last 9 years seeking a cure for a psychiatric problem. The means to such ends consisted of trying Lithium, Prozac, Depakote, Paxil, Zoloft, Neurontin, Risperadol and numerous psychiatrists and therapists. Lithium was the the only effective option for combatting the mania; Neurontin provided that happy feeling. I was thus branded bipolar II by virtue of that which was effective. I accidentally found Reid's book on Chinese Health and Healing which pointed me to the Tao of HS&L. I think they complement each other. Heeding his advice I underwent a 6 day 12 hour fast. Performed numerous colonic irrigations, modified my dietary intake from carnivorous to herbivorous, followed the advised food combination guidelines, undertook the chi kung exercises as recommended and a pranyama exercise(Breath of Fire). These exercises eased the inevitable misery of the detoxification process. Haven't touched Lithium or Neurontin in two months and surprisingly I am happy. My focus has returned. I am no longer an aggressive, uncontrolled animal. My consciousness with each passing day increases in clarity. Five stars for effective practical advice.
Rating:
Summary: A book of true insight into the realms of life
Review: I love this book. The Tao of health is amazingly helpful. It cured me of am aliment that has crushed me for years. It might be hard to grasp for many, but believe me it sure works miracles for anyone. The Tao of sex and longevity is as well the only way. The Tao Te Ching is the way of life.
Rating:
Summary: Not only is this an excellent introduction, but a source.
Review: I rate this book a nine, for one reason, it is not complete without the sequel, "The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing". The standard review for this book is "an excellent introduction to the field of Chinese health and philososphy". Reid takes a complex, ancient theory, and disentangles it to a jargonless composition that is indispensible to the Eastern Taoist. This is not only "an excellent introduction", but "the source", for those interested in broadening their mind, body, and spirit.
Rating:
Summary: The truth be known in these covers
Review: I read this book approximately 7 years ago and practiced everything to the letter for a little over 2 years. I have a degree in plant and soil science and after taking the actions in this book, felt better than I ever have before in my life. The nature of the unverse is much more powerful when tapped into than western science. It is extremeley difficult to practice this way of life in the west. If you do, then be ready to heal, have clarity, and become more concious than ever before. Only a very small portion of the population wants to be this concious. So can you!
Rating:
Summary: Great book for those seeking health and inner balance
Review: IN BRIEF: If you are interested in health then READ THIS BOOK.
IN MORE WORDS:
This book is not, in my experience, for those that are purely interested in pursuing a study of Taoist philosophy. Well, that's not to say you won't like it for other reasons, but I don't think this book is a book on "Taoist philosophy" if that's what you are looking for.
This book is, in my experience, A TRULY VALUABLE ASSET for those wishing to learn more about a broad and deep understanding of health from a physical and metaphysical perspective. This book is both very pragmatic (of practical use and application) and a great introduction to many elements of ancient wisdom and in particular the Taoist view of life/reality and health.
I am sure that anyone with a relatively open-mind and an authentic interest in health will find this book to be GREAT VALUE. In fact I think many people will find it rather life changing. I don't say that lightly. I've read many many health related books, and this is one of the few I give that status to.
The topics covered are ones that I have been actively exploring, applying, and teaching since my early teens; and it is with that background history that I make my recommendation to read this book.
I should note that this book would be best read by those that are willing to actually apply and use the practical information it presents. If you just want to explore the theory of natural healing there may well be other books you're best to give your attention to. A large portion of this book is hands-on information as opposed to just philosophising.
This book is loaded with practical and highly usable, health enhancing information.
I wish you all the best of health,
Jonathan Evatt
Rating: 
Summary: inauthentic, sometimes harmful, interpretation of tao.
Review: It often happens that the original precepts of a taoist concept are lost in translation -- these ideas are difficult for Chinese, even before introducing the myriad difficulties of translating between two very different languages (Chinese and English). Sometimes when this happens, the gentle spirit is preserved, if still diluted. Meaning is lost, or mixed into a debased and generalized new age concept of Eastern religion/philosophies. This is harmless enough. But sometimes what gets lost in the translation is the vigilant care and gentleness that is central to the taoist practices. The yin gets lost, superceded by the Buddhist yang, which can transform many of the healthful practices of the taoist tradition into dangerous and degenerative practices. I must say, with some regret, that the author of this book finds himself in this position. Much of the information in this book is extremely valuable, particularly that which is concerned with diet and digestive health, if one is careful to know where the author strays from the path. Where he strays, especially in regards to sexual practices and colon cleansing, his advice becomes unhealthful. The obsessive fixation on the sexual organs and lower bowels, and skimpy material on physical exercises, betrays a lack of dedication to the true tao. If you are really interested in practicing tao, I suggest you start with tai chi chuan or chi gung. Chi gung is the most fundamental part of following tao. Find a teacher that is well-versed in an authentic taoist chi gung tradition. It may take a little effort to find one, but they are around.
Rating:
Summary: Can be dangerous but fairly good
Review: It's a good start. Too bad about the authenticity of the book. I was looking for something more spiritual. But for those of you who wish to change from Chrisitanity or so forth, this is a good start to Taoism and Buddhism. Note that some practises can be slightly dangerous, but overall a good book and revamp of his old book. Like all books that are similar, you must becareful not to 'overdose' which can lead you into a neurotic state.
Rating: 
Summary: It ruined an otherwise great relationship
Review: My boyfriend read the book and was convinced that he would die young and age quickly unless he practiced the "semen retention." The book discourages men from orgasm and promotes the crazy notion that to retain semen somehow "nourishes" a man. To release semen, according to the book, is deadly and wasteful. The relationship that I had with my boyfriend had been great and so had the sex -- until this book. He was so afraid to have sex after reading this book that he stopped. Needless to say, it destroyed the relationship. I read the book in an effort to figure out what had gone wrong with what had been a great and loving relationship. The book sanctions sex without orgasm and sanctions sex with multiple partners. It states that for a man's health, he should have sex (retaining the semen, of course) with younger women who have at least 20% to 25% body fat and who have never born children, claiming that they are better sexual partners. I have virtually no body fat, have born several children, and in my 40's, in great shape, and am very sexual. The book is filled with sexist and incorrect information along these same lines. The book is also filled with harmful babble for those who are searching for answers to problems -- real or imagined. The diet advice involves basic common sense except the advice about eating beef and chicken that is undercooked -- a risky way of eating beef or chicken. The fixation on enimas (that is, "colonic irrigations") is weird in the extreme. I will never date a man who has read this book or is a follower of the Tao because any man who does believe in this is sure as heck a head case.
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