Rating: 
Summary: A fun read
Review: Interesting method of describing some of the ideas of Taoism. It makes me wonder if the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh was a student of Taoism. An excellent analysis of Pooh as a expounder of Tao. The book didn't get a 10 in my eyes because Hoff comes down a little hard on the Puritans. He takes as much of a ethnocentric view of them as they did of the Native Americans. But, he should know better. Otherwise, I definitely recommend the book.
Rating:
Summary: splendid
Review: this is one of the only books that i can truly say makes me happy and glad to be alive when i read it and no matter how often i turn through the pages i find new meaning in its simplicity....this book is for the devout and the atheist...for anyone that needs a breath of fresh air or a little drop of rain....wonderful writing
Rating:
Summary: Politics do not belong in pooh books!
Review: While I found both of these volumes to be quite good books, both from a literary and philosophical perspective, I have to say that certain comments, especially in the latter book, somewhat deteriorate it's enjoyability. The author's seemingly irrelevent comments on the evils of the Microwave, the Gulf War, Ronald Reagan, and republicans and conservatives in general, and the god-like qualities of one of the most corrupt politicians in our nation's history (John F. Kennedy) can't help but make you feel that he has some sort of perverted (and grossly incorrect) political agenda. Nonetheless, even if he dedicated a chapter to why we should elect Steve Forbes and impeach Clinton, I would still say that this sort of thing does not belong in books like these.
Rating: 
Summary: Cream isn't all that rises to the top
Review: This set of two books is more than a little...schizophrenic. "The Tao of Pooh" rates about an 8 on my scale; it's a fun little read...but a little bit troubling. Why troubling? For the most part, it's a cogent and simple analogy between very basic Taoism and the characters of A.A. Milne's Pooh books. "The Tao of Pooh" is a serene and peaceful pool with hints of some very ugly things lurking just below the surface. The most egregious example is his confused mishmash of pop (un)history of Thanksgiving welded to a bland not-so-New Age conception of the American Indians as peaceful gentle folk living in effortless harmony with the ecology and each other. But he can be forgiven that--he's making a point and he's a little rushed. But still...troubling. In "The Te of Piglet", those things erupt out like pus from a boil. Mister Hoff has an ideological ax to grind with this one, and the problem is, it's a very dull and, at times, painfully stupid one. The title is a beginning clue--he's starting off with a much more strained analogy, but surely he can pull it off, right? Wrong. Like its predecessor, "The Te of Piglet" contains interludes starring our favorite characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. In the first book, these interludes were a nice grounding point and integrated in. In this one, however, they're superfluous and simply don't sound anywhere near as accurate a rendition of the characters. They seem rushed--Mr. Hoff is in a hurry to get back to his inept didactic half-wit ranting, and it shows. Notable gems of the type: America in the time of JFK was in an "enlightened era" (hee), and the microwave oven is a "Perversion of Nature" (because Radiation is Bad, No Matter What). Ideological axes to grind can be highly entertaining--if they're well done. Ben Hoff's is simply inept and idiotic by turns. Individually, "Tao of Pooh" rates about an 8. "Te of Piglet" receives a 2. I have to go below the strictly precise mean simply because the latter leaves such a sour taste that the former is tainted by association--and the knowledge that its author is, in so many ways, a self-stated hypocrite.
Rating:
Summary: a book as clear as water, as simple as pooh
Review: what does it mean to be religious ? does it mean praying hours on end ? being a regular at church ? staying away from everything illegal, immoral and fattening ? if not,what is ? if u are one of those who believes that going to church makes a person as much of a christian as going to a garage makes him a car, this book is for you. pooh in his own inimitable style tells us : life is not as hard or complex as we make it seem at times. forget the creeds, dogmas and scriptures - being yourself is the most religious thing you can do. its a book that will introduce you to yourself again.
Rating:
Summary: Taoism presented in conventional terms by our friend Pooh.
Review: If you're like me, you've never really understood the mystical and murky meanings of
Eastern philosophies. I had that humanities class and all, but it never really sunk in while I
was sitting in the lecture hall behind some giggling freshman. These amazingly simple
books have taught me the secrets of life and happiness. Well, not really, but they do
teach you the way to get through life without life getting to you. Better than the Stress
Ball and less expensive than a trip to a swanky health spa, it has been helpful to me. Hoff
explains Taoism through beloved characters from the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by A.A.
Milne. Yes, that's right, Pooh. I know it sounds weird, but it really works. These books
are very charming, funny, and witty. I now understand Taoist philosophy (I think), Pooh,
and Piglet better. I'm sure some Eastern philosophers are annoyed (or rolling over in their
graves) at these books, but, hey, it's the only way Americans are every gonna understand
it at all!
http://pilot.msu.edu/user/trescami/newage.html
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Entertaining, and Thought-Provoking Masterpiece!
Review: This elegant and well-written volume by Benjamin Hoff, along with its sequel "The Te of Piglet", is perhaps one of the finest pieces of writing about Taoism in the West. Having just read and enjoyed the original Pooh stories by A.A. Milne, I became intrigued by this book and obtained it. As soon as I opened it I could not find a good point to lay it down. I kept reading and reading until I finished it in a single day. The book was so pleasurable, so well-written, and so intriguing. I kept thinking and imagining all the different concepts of Taoism that this book introduces me to. "Wu Wei" or effortless action; living in harmony with nature; Nowhere and Nothing; the importance of the present; the extreme alienation we in the West create for ourselves by being constantly busy. These are all important issues that relate to my life personally, and I feel I have gained something from reading this book, in addition to spending an enjoyable time reading it. Those who didn't like this book for some reason are missing the point. The "Tao of Pooh" was never meant to be the definite treatise on Taoism, or the dispassionate comparison of East and West. As a matter of fact, this book is classified under "Humor". In fact, it is this humor of pooh which lends itself so aptly to introducing Taoism. Since reading this book, I became interested in reading the other book by John Tyerman Williams called "Pooh & the Philosophers". What a disaster that turned out to be! See, the defining character of Pooh is that he never really takes himself seriously, which is perfectly in line with the attitude of major Taoist philosophers. Yet Western philosophy thinks of itself as a serious subject, an attitude that is quite un-Pooh-ish, so I don't know what on earth Williams was thinking in using Pooh to illustrate Western philosophy. Anyways, don't buy William's book, buy this! If you like Pooh and feel intrigued with Eastern Philosophy, you will find a pleasurable reading in this masterpiece that was the first to recognize this beautiful match.
Rating: 
Summary: Loveable, huggable, simple-minded Pooh
Review: This book completely expresses the simple-mindedness of Pooh & the simple-mindedness of Taoism. The author explains things that normally would confuse people in the plain 100-acres woods way so that everyone can understand. From the over thinking Owls to the Quiet minded Poohs. I read this book ever few months when I start to feel myself sway from quiet realistic thoughts. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who may be alittle confused or need alittle clarity.
Rating:
Summary: Three Vinegar Tasters
Review: This book became popular not only because of Pooh or Tao, but because of the explaination of the "3 Vinegar Tasters" scroll painting in the book. Before this book became popular this famous painting was unknown, and because of this book, people know what it is.
(...)
That is the painting described in the book and as you can clearly see, one of the good points of this book was explaining the three main philosophies of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism in China.
I recommend that readers visit the site that details the relationship between Taoism and the other philosophies and see how Tao of Pooh fits Taoism in there.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Yet Quite Flawed
Review: Seems like a contradiction right? So are some parts of Hoff's book. I must note that other reviewers have pointed this out. Hoff explains, quite clearly (thankfully) that one of the tenets of Taoism is to accept things precisely as they are...and then, as another reviewer says, he doesn't accept the other Pooh characters for what they are, instead disparaging them for not having the simplicity of Pooh.
Ultimately, as one who is uninitiated into Taoist philosophy, I would suggest this book if for no other reason than to acquaint oneself with its basic philosophies, which Hoff does explain clearly. One warning is that, sometimes his forays into conversation w/Pooh, and his story anecdotes are less than clear, and he assumes the reader immediately understood. Sometimes I felt going off into the world of Pooh was unneeded at a certain point, though at other points it was valid and well-constructed. Additionally, I would read this book as though walking onto a floor w/a "Careful" sign on it...this book is unnecessarily judgmental of others, and I feel that by feeling that way about others, one avoids the nothingness and simplicity Hoff says the Taoist seeks. Judging others adds confusion to life, the very same confusion Hoff wants us to avoid by being as simple as Pooh. So I say: read this book, and use it as a spur to further readings in Taoism if it interests you, but don't take it as a textbook of Taoist thought. Many of Hoff's explanations are good, and the quotes from actual Taoists and other Chinese thinkers are excellent, but do not take the judgmental road implied by this book.
I think it's worth noting that on the back of the book, where the genre is usually listed in small print near the ISBN, The Tao of Pooh is listed as a humor book. So read this book w/that in mind. It is a good intro to Taoism, but ultimately, it is not a book of Taoist philosophy, and is more like a book of metaphysics that utilizes Taoism. It is worth mentioning that several Taoist ideas (about the harmony of the heavens and earth) are not strictly Taoist, which to me says, not that the Taoists were not unique, but that they have hit on some sort of truth. Hoff's book can help the average person in their daily life, through the basics of Tao. Hoff's book will not make one a true follower of Taoism, in my opinion. However, for most, the former is enough, and the latter is unimportant, and that is fine. This book operates both as a good pique of the imagination leading to further studies into Taoism, or as simply a book which reminds us of the beauty in the simplicity of life...all in the unassuming world of Winnie-the Pooh. So for that, the book has merit, even if its unnecessary judgmental nature is obnoxious.
3.75 stars
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