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Rating: 
Summary: response to two bears...
Review: ...or two toes, or twiddle-dee-dum, what-ever. If you spent as much time reading and comprehending as you do judging other people's work, you might eventually come to the conclusion that it isn't all about you and the stuff you 'think' you know. I'm getting bored seeing your silly name now every time I want to read reviews on a book. Please go find yourself and stop bothering people.
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Summary: useful recommended reading lists...
Review: Enough of the abuse of this book!The extensive recommended reading list in the back of this book is worth the price of the whole thing. Whatever Wong's vagaries, the extended explanations for further readings at the end of the various sections of the text itself, make this still a useful volume. However, if you are going after Wong, and Taoist Health and Longevity issues, you may prefer to start with 'Cultivating Stillness,' 'The Tao of Health, Longevity, and Immortality,' and/or 'Cultivating the Energy of Life,'her translation of the 'Secret of the Golden Flower' ( for discussion of the usefulness of comparing the translations of which, see this 'Shamabala Guide to Taoism.') But see my recent reviews (note dates) for Wong's 'Tao of Health, etc.' and Thomas Cleary's 'Taoist Meditation' for further amplification of these issues, particularly with regard to health. Many volumes, in spite of vagaries, generalities, and such, are still incredibly useful for their recommended reading suggestions and guides. Wong's worthy volume is one such. In addition to her volumes suggested above, I would highly recommend it for further research. It's handy as a guide to Kohn's, Robinet's, Charles Luk's, Cleary's, Olson's, and other writers/translators on these subjects. Go for it.
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Summary: response to two bears...
Review: I enjoyed this book very much because Ms. Wong covers most of the sects of Taoism practised for the past 5,000 years. However; I have a few problems with her material on "Internal Alchemy Taoism" that is discussed on pages 172-189. 1. Ms. Wong is unaware of the difference between meridians, and Qi vessels. Meridians terminate on the fingers and toes. Qi vessels do not. 2. Ms. Wong misnames one of the three treasures Jing as ching. The three treasures are Jing (original essence that we inherit from our parents), Ch'i sometimes spelled QI (This is energy we absorb from the air we breathe, food we eat, and liquids we drink), and shen (spirit) 3. Ms. Wong misnames the Du Qi vessel that goes up the spinal column as Tu. The Du vessel is quite often called the governing vessel. 4. Ms. Wong is in error about the Ming Men. There are two (not one as she states). The ming men vital points in the area of the adrenal gands above each kidney. Please E-Mail me if you have questions or comments about this review. Two Bears. Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)
Rating: 
Summary: Those who speak...
Review: I found Eva Wong's work to be a fine resource tool. A broad, objective, easy to digest primer for Westerner's interested in learning about the Taoist tradition. My contention lies in Two Bears review of this work...I applaud any effort to present clarity of subject matter...however, Two Bears review strikes me as a bit rash. The errors pointed out by the reviewer regarding Ms. Wong's presentation of Taoist internal alchemy are mistaken in most cases. Ultimately it seems that Two Bears is simply looking to build a name and repuatation for him/herself by positing his/her own presentation of meridian theory as superior to a long time, well respected practitioner of Taoist studies/practices.
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Summary: An Objective History of Taoism
Review: I was a little disappointed after reading this book because I was looking for a great deal more in the way of the philosophy of the Tao. What I got was an excellent history of, for the most part, religious Taoism. The book was concise and readable while proving to be an excellent resource for further study. The text is packed with references to books of Taoist masters and books of study. Since the author is a Taoist I expected to see a little more subjectivity in the writing style. Nevertheless I recommend this book to anyone wanting a objectively historical view of Taoism.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to Taoism.
Review: This book is an excellent overall introduction to Taoism. It covers the history, systems, and practices of Taoism in a very readable style and provides helpful suggestions for further reading. It is a great book for those new to the subject who want a knowledgable and well-written guide to the 'spiritual landscape' of Taoist thought and practices over the centuries. The sections on magical Taoism and meditation are particularly fascinating, as is the opening chapter that discusses its shamanic origins.
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Summary: An Informative Guide to Taoism
Review: This is a marvellous book for those who want an insight into the nature and the mysteries of Taoism. I found this to be an enjoyable book from cover to cover. If you are new to the study of Taoism, or are a continuing student and wish to broaden your understanding in this discipline, then I recommend this book for you. By the time you have read this book you will have an understanding of the major branches of Taoism, the core philosophy and beliefs of those branches, as well as a good knowledge of the history, formation and development of Taoism from the days of the first shamans to the today. I would particularly recommend this book to college/university students who have been given assignments related to Taoism for the reasons just covered.
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Summary: Comprehensive and serious introduction to Taoism
Review: Those new to Taoism, or confused by it, will almost certainly find Eva Wong's book immensely helpful. It immediately addresses the problems most people experience when they first become interested in this tradition, i.e. "Why do there seem to be so many different versions of Taoism, some of them quite contradictory? What are the differences and similarities between these 'schools' and how did they arise? If someone is 'practicing Taoism' today, what does that actually mean?" By dividing her book into three sections - History of Taoism, Systems of Taoism, and Taoist Practices - Wong clearly articulates the development and varieties of Taoist thought, its key figures, texts, beliefs, concepts, principles and practices. She does this in short, well-focused chapters, and uses a very clear and concise style. Each chapter ends with a "Further Readings" section offering what I've found to be very useful pointers into the immense body of Taoist literature, sometimes even referring to specific chapters of books and pointing out which ones are more general or more academic, and which translations she prefers. Wong also includes a detailed index, a solid bibliography, and two useful appendices containing a map of China and a chronology of the dynasties. What you won't find here is the kind of nonsense that plagues so many books about ancient traditions that have recently become more popular - Wong gives you no detailed instruction on how to conduct ceremonies or create talismans or wield "magic". Rather, she respects Taoism as a serious and living tradition and recommends that if you are interested in learning the specifics of any particular Taoist sect then you must find a Taoist master and complete the necessary training. Wong refuses to treat Taoism as a New Age novelty. Moreover, her honesty about the limits and relativity of her work is admirable. As she notes at the outset, she is acting here as a guide: someone who offers knowledge arising out of personal experience; who offers a perspective, not necessarily rigorous objectivity; and who does not pretend that what she is saying can ever be complete. Having said that, I think Wong's book comes as close as you're likely to get to a comprehensive introductory text. It certainly answered all of my questions.
Rating:
Summary: no book can contain the TAO.
Review: You can never contain the WAY
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