Rating: 
Summary: Worthwhile, but only a beginning
Review: Capra's discussion of physics is interesting reading, as are the "parallels" with Eastern Mysticism (though I follow a reviewer below in evaluating the arguments as hazy). Where Capra sells his reader short is in the criticism of the western mentality. According to Capra, the western mind is not acclimated to mystical thought of the kind described in Tao of Physics. Serious students will detect a problem with this assertion: Heraclitus, Plotinus, Augustine, John of the Cross, and even the empiricist Francis Bacon evade Capra's criticism--but one must go to the actual writings, not generalizations about them, in order to discover this. In more recent philosophy, I'm reminded of Paul Tillich's notion of "historical realism," which would provide any reader with material for a re-critique of Capra's critique. You might notice I still give this book a 6, despite these major flaws. This is because it is an accessible introduction to a major premise in modern thought: the compulsion toward extramaterial/extratechnological worlds. My fear is that some (note reviews below) might consider it the last word on a subject that merits extensive study. As an analogy, take the seemingly common opinion that the film "Contact" is the last word on the science-religion question.
Rating: 
Summary: Very original for its time
Review: Although there are many books in the modern day market that deal with the overlap between eastern mysticism and recent discoveries in physics, this book is a pioneer in this field. Even though it was orignally written a long time ago, I still think it is enlightening and important at this day and age. The originality of the analogies discussed in this book still stands out as one of the best. If you like these types of east meets west books, you will also love "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is a book that relates eastern philosophies to many of modern western psychological theories. It is also quite an amazing piece of work as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Do not trust this book
Review: In the 70s it was an original book.
I was amazed to see that today, after the existence of quarks was proven by experiment (at CERN and Fermilab) the so called "new" editions still doubt the existence of quarks because they do not fit the grand scheme of the thesis of the book. Better avoid this book. Its not trustable.
(The author is a Physics Prof at the Weizmann Institute)
Rating: 
Summary: Description of a mountain from the base and the peak
Review: The book is a well organized presentaion of the simple observation that science, religion, and philosophy are all trying to describe the same reality in different terms and from different perspectives. Taoism and modern physics both take a minimally subjective approach to the task of realizing what life is and are both extremely helpful to anyone searching for the source of true spirituality. The first review in this set refers to Taoism as a branch of metaphysics, which it certainly is not. Although the book deals with various major Eastern religions, it is a good introduction to Taoism and, for those searching, should be preceded by, concurrently read with, and perpetually followed by reference to the Tao Te Ching. Most importantly, awareness of ones own life and its relationship with the rest of the universe is the key; the answers can not be found in any book.
Rating:
Summary: The Merging of Science and Mysticism
Review: This book weaves a magical spell over the reader who is fascinated by both science and mysticism. It covers both in great depth and detail. The essential teachings of Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism and Zen are carefully distilled and the unifying principles of these paths are identified. The one characteristic all these '-isms' share is the awareness of unity of the connectedness of the whole. Capra compares and contrasts classical and modern physics while integrating the mystical truths as discovered in these religions. It is a daunting undertaking but he succeeds with aplomb! The close parallels between Eastern mysticism and modern physics (quantum physics) is amazing - each approaches reality from a different starting point but arrives at the same place. Capra writes about the cosmic dance of particle, energy, and consciousness - highly complex topics, in a very readable manner. He touches upon Geoffrey Chew's S-matrix theory (bootstrap philosophy) and Bohm's theory of Implicate Order. He calls the paradigm shift we are experiencing "a crisis of perception" from which all problems in the world arise. The manner in which scientific ideas are interspersed with mystical concepts is truly astonishing! Fritjof Capra manages to precipitate the essential kernal of truth from apparent divergent viewpoints ...This is a great book for anyone exploring the relationship of the rational scientific view and mysticism, i.e., the spiritual journey. This is a very valuable book for the modern world. Erika B.
Rating:
Summary: Do not trust this book
Review: In the 70s it was an original book.
I was amazed to see that today, after the existence of quarks was proven by experiment (at CERN and Fermilab) the so called "new" editions still doubt the existence of quarks because they do not fit the grand scheme of the thesis of the book. Better avoid this book. Its not trustable.
(The author is a Physics Prof at the Weizmann Institute)
Rating:
Summary: interesting but somewhat over-reaching
Review: I'm one of those who believe that Eastern philosophies and religions are, in many respects, superior to Western scientific knowledge and values. Although this is a very interesting book, the author appears to have tried too hard to find analogies for modern physical concepts about the universe in Eastern philosophies.
Rating:
Summary: Wooly-minded tosh
Review: Early on in this book, Capra describes Nepal as a Buddhist country. The 90% of Nepalis who are Hindu might disagree. If he can't get such a basic fact right, how can we trust him on anything else? And as for Capra's avowed use of "sacred herbs" to enhance his knowledge of the universe, well,no matter how you choose euphamistically (or mystically) to dignify taking it, a drug is a drug is a drug, and the only thing it teaches you is what it feels like to take that drug. Wooly-minded tosh.
Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking and Inspirational Classic
Review: This is one of the most wonderful books relating modern science to Eastern philosophical traditions. I have always combined an interest in physics as well as an interest in eastern philosophies, so it was natural that I get attracted to this book. I have read the second edition nearly 15 years ago, and can certify that this book delivers what it promises. Recently it has become a phenomenon to see "Tao of ..." or "Zen of ..." books that are really deficient in many respects: some books know little about the Eastern philosophies they claim to compare to, others know little about the Western science, and yet others fail to point to more than a flimsy relationship. It appears "Tao of something" has become a major marketing scheme and not much more. "The Tao of Physics" however is free from those weaknesses. In fact, it is in a class of its own - possibly one of the most thought-provoking and inspirational texts in the modern world. Written by a world-class Indian physicist, this book exhibits the deep understanding of its author into the myriad complexities of modern physics. The beauty of it all is that some of the most complex ideas are explained in very simple language that even a high school student can understand: quantum mechanics, the uncertainty principle, particle physics, string theory, symmetries, etc. This strength in physical understanding does not weaken the depth of perception regarding Eastern mysticism. Au contraire, the second part of the book, describing Eastern philosophy, is a tour de force of the various branches of Eastern thought: Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc. Topics like the I-Ching, the mythology of the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and the Tao Te Ching are introduced in very clear language aimed at capturing a Western audience. The third and largest part of the book is devoted to drawing parallels between the two traditions: the Western scientific and the Eastern philosophical. Of course, at this stage of human development one cannot reach certainties about such thing, and the discourse is restricted to pointing out the parallels and illustrating the convergence of thought. More questions are raised than are actually answered, which is perhaps the signature of a really good book. Since reading it I have become fascinated with modern physics and pursued a science education. My interest in Eastern religions has also been enhanced. Currently I am in the process of re-reading this gem. I definitely recommend it to everyone seeking substance in "Tao of ..." books.
Rating:
Summary: A Thinking Person's Bookshelf Basic
Review: I read this book some 20 years ago, and can recall marveling at the directness of its insight and the balance in its presentation. Capra's work is one of those books that unfortunately becomes somewhat demonized because its very insight becomes distorted in the mass media. I'm sure you've heard and been frustrated by the new-age hyperbole about how science is "proving" Buddhism and all sorts of mystical beliefs, as if Buddhism or any spiritual insight needs or deserves to be "proven." Capra was not trying to tell us to see quantum mechanics and relativity theory as proof of any religious or mystical ideology: he was merely pointing to parallels in the way different perspectives enrich our knowledge of ourselves and our universe. He was an articulate voice asking us to question the dualisms and oppositions that we have allowed to creep into our experience of the world and of our inner lives. This is why Capra's work has endured, and why it will continue to do so.
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