Rating: 
Summary: Simple and Pure Thought
Review: This book was recommended to me by a close friend and he was correct in saying that I would enjoy it! I loved it! The book is well written and I feel that by using our favorite characters, whom many of us have loved and grown up with; together with their own characteriatics, makes the principles easy to understand and shows the way to how we can implement what is being taught. I believe, we can all see ourselves in one or more of the characters and although some may not be happy to see ourselves mirrored in such a way, that too is part of our growth as well; and what I believe the book is trying to teach us. We can all become "Pooh like". To find our way, to become quiet and still and to become more child like in our outlook of life. Not to take things (or ourselves), too seriously but to "go with the flow" and enjoy life to it's fullest. I can recommend this book highly to learn from, to live from and to find our way.
Rating: 
Summary: Patronising
Review: The one message I got from this book was, basically, "anyone can be a taoist if they're stupid", a message which would grate on the nerves of many intelligent people studying Taoism - and any other philosophical/religous movements. The author seems to take pride in stating - through the character of Pooh - "I am not very clever, ergo I'm a lot closer to the uncarved block than you are". Spare us! There's a difference between "not being interested in knowledge" and "being stupid". This book appears not to know the difference. For someone who knows nothing of Taoism, there may be some interesting thoughts in here, but I fear it may leave them with the impression that the only prerequisite for being a taoist is being fick.
Rating: 
Summary: Good intro but unecessarily judgmental.
Review: Benjamin Hoff made many of the concepts of Taoism simple for me as an American. On page 4, the author explains the concept of _Tao_ and writes, "...the harmony that naturally existed between heaven and earth could be found by anyone at any time...earth was in essence a reflection of heaven, run by the same laws-not by the laws of men. These laws affected not only the spinning of distant planets, but also the activities of birds in the forest and fish in the sea. According to Lao-tse, the more man interfered with the natural balance produced and governed by universal laws, the further away the harmony retreated into the distance. The more forcing, the more trouble." Even from my own Judeo-Christian tradition, it certainly makes sense to me to not fight against these universal laws (although I would disagree with a Taoist what these laws are and how these laws are learned). He then went on to explain that according to Taoism, these laws must be experienced rather than taught academically. Using Winnie the Pooh (_P'u_?) as an example, the author goes on to explain the concept of _P'u_: "natural, simple, plain, honest." Throughout the dialog of this book, Pooh is used as a positive example of Taoist virtues and other characters (Tigger, the Owl, Rabbit, etc.) reflect the failures of other philosophies. Benjamin Hoff describes a character named "Bisy Backson" that hurries around fighting against the _Tao_. The author writes, "Rabbit didn't know what a Backson was in spite of the fact he is one." In several places, the author seems needlessly judgmental. Benjamin Hoff writes, "Looking back a few years, we see that the first Bisy Backsons in this part of the world, the Puritans, practically worked themselves to death in the fields without getting much of anything in return for their efforts." In places, I found myself offended when the author disparaged cultures other than the Taoists.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming introduction to Taoism
Review: As someone who has always loved Winnie the Pooh, and who has a deep interest in Eastern philosophy, this book was one I'd looked forward to reading. It didn't disappoint. I loved the technique he used of having the characters ask him questions. It was fun, and it kept me engaged in the book The author explained Taoism in a way that was charming, easy to understand, and not at all dry, as some philosophical works can be. I feel that I have a better understanding of Taoism, and I am now eager to read more about it. What's interesting is that I have a four year old niece who loves Winnie the Pooh, and when we watch the cartoon together, I also now have new, grown-up insight into it, which makes it more fun for me too! The book is quick - in fact, I found it a bit too short - and easy to read. I admit, it could've been a bit more in-depth. I'm sure critics who say this is a very superficial examination of Taoism are probably right. However, I don't know that this criticism is particularly important. I think Hoffman's purpose was simply to whet the reader's appetite so that they'd be motivated to do more study of Taoist philosophy. If I'm correct in this belief, he was successful, at least in my case.
Rating:
Summary: Tao?! of Pooh
Review: After reading this 158 page book filled with old friends of my childhood; Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Pooh and other western world friends, six times for my school required reading, I regret to inform that this story does not uphold the Taosim aspect of this book. I believe it was a good idea for Benjamin Hoff to write a novella based on A.A. Milne's childhood stories of Winnie the Pooh, but I was let down on how he explained Taoism. In his attempt to explain this teaching of China, he managed to insult many other lifestyles and ways of living. In this book I learned that people should basically meditate all day long and not live in houses, not use cars, and not partake in activities that many people of the world are involved in such as jogging or eating at a fast food place once in a while. I was also enlightened by the fact that basically things happen to Pooh for no reason whatsoever, and also that everything proved by modern science is false and can basically be interpreted as "We don't know". There were some rich teachings of Taosim in the Tao of Pooh, such as the painting of the Vinegar Testers and how that related to Bhuddism, Taoism, and Confucianism, but overall I think Benjamin Hoff should have left the book to that instead of showing how the other practices in life are inferior the Taosim. In my opinion, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Pooh, Christopher Robin, Kanga, Roo and Tigger are representatives of the various people in the world and their different backgrounds and personalities, and we should all repect and learn from each other inspite of our various walks of life, instead of believing that one school of thought, Taoism, is more superior than other beliefs, which is the feeling Benjamin Hoff imposed on me when I read the Tao of Pooh. I think I'll stick to my wise and knowledgeable Uncle Alan for information on Taosim.
Rating:
Summary: Almost...but not quite
Review: The TAO of POOH is a CLEVER book. This is not to say it is "good". Benjamin Hoff is no doubt familiar with Arthur Schopenhauer's existential-literary dictum: TEXT before COMMENTARY. In my estimate,THE TAO of POOH is NEITHER Good Pooh, nor good TAO.It's a Cliff Notes' trip through a tough, Eastern metaphysic; as well as blatantly ignoring the singularly Western (Faustian!)propensities of the world's most philosophical uber-oso. Sir Winnie-the-Pooh de Bear is on unending Quest for HUNNY. Holy or unholy, this is "wille zu macht" to the max! Am I kidding? Is Hoff? Was Milne(no way)!Pooh, if he must be inscrutably garbed with saffroned East, is more Zen than Taoist. As WESTERNER he is scrutably Kierkegaardian:PURITY of HEART is to WILL ONE THING (Hunny).As I remind, this is a clever book. But clever and good...or wise like Pooh is; and Owl is not...are not the same thing(therefore: 3 stars)...
Rating:
Summary: A cool book
Review: In this book, you learn some things. Not important things, just
things that can change your life. Confused by that? Read The Tao
of Pooh and you will understand. And that's the great thing about it. It helps you understand things on a level that you could definitely (unless you are wise already, like me (har!))not normally. And another great thing (there are about 5,468)about this book is that it doesn't try to force anything on you, doesn't try to convert you to anything, etc. It't just a vault of hidden wisdom in the last place you'd expect.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, but too critical
Review: Overall, "The Tao of Pooh" is a good introduction to Taoism, and some of its chapters are extremely well-written. I was disappointed, however, when the book began heavily criticizing other philosophies, specifically those personified by Rabbit, Eeyore, and Owl. I don't see Taoism as being that intolerant, or unable to see the wisdom and logic of other theories. I think this would have been a much better book if it had focused on what Taoism *is,* instead of what it is *not.*
Rating:
Summary: The wisdom of Pooh
Review: Benjamin Hoff creatively explains the principles of Taoism through Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, and Christopher. By showing how the others fret, analyze and calculate, Hoff effectively shows that Pooh is a Taoist because he just is.
Rating:
Summary: I'm being GENEROUS with 3 stars....
Review: I like what I read or I hate it. Simple as that. Well, This book was annoying in several ways, yet my affection for Winnie The Pooh bouyed my rating of the book, and my interest in Eastern philosophy. I was apalled by Hoff's constant bashing at "intellectuals" and veiled ranting. I was also annoyed at Hoff's bashing of other faiths as essentially being "Wrong". A true Taoist wouldn't beat someone over the head about how "wrong" their Way is because it happens to be structured and staid. That may just be the natural-flowing Way for them. It's a so-so introduction to Taoism...I'd recommend "Tao The Watercourse Way" by Alan Watts and a nice translation of the Tao Te Ching. Put the two together and you'll grok it better than Hoff ever will. Then Again, you can read Hoff's books with an open mind....and as a preacher I once knew said "Eat the meat, and leave the bones".
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