UNDERSTANDING THE I CHING

Rating:
Summary: Theory, history, and instructions
Review: First of all, this is not a translation of the I Ching or an interpretation of individual hexagrams, but a book about the I Ching as a whole. It's divided into four parts: an explanation of the theory behind the I Ching, its history, an explanation of divination, and a chapter on chance and chaos theory.

I appreciated the theory part the most. Javary's explanation of yin and yang as movements rather than groups of characteristics was more understandable than the introductory material at the beginning of most translations. The history is the longest part of the book. It's interesting to read, but where it contradicts the generally accepted histories I've read in other books, I don't know whether Javary has hit upon a true theory, or is simply making something up. The divination section is useful, especially in explaining how the titles of the hexagrams should be read as verbs (which does make you see them in a different light). Finally, the chapter on chance and chaos is not bad, but doesn't seem to be tied to the I Ching itself as much as the rest of the book.

It's too bad that in addition to historical claims that may or may not be valid (I just don't know about these), Javary has an annoying habit of describing the Chinese people through blanket statements and stereotypes ("But the Chinese like difficulty." " . . . he acted like all Chinese and invented nothing new." "Meticulously observant, as are all Chinese . . ."). Also, while he says many useful things about divination and how to perform it, he doesn't seem to know that his methods apply to many forms of divination, not just the I Ching. Instead, his attitude seems to be that the I Ching is the only good method of divination, and anything else is cheap fortune-telling.

Basically, a good read if you're willing to think critically about some of his claims.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting Book About the I Ching
Review: This is the clearest and most fascinating introduction to the I Ching (as opposed to tranalation/commentary of the I Ching, examples of which are abundant) I know of, largely because Javary makes a point of explaining the background and connotations of the I Ching and it's elements to Westerners as those things would be understood by a native Chinese person. If you want to see th I Ching from the "inside" then this book is worth the cost. I was particularly impressed with the author's contention that the I Ching is NOT a form of "divination" dealing with the future but rather a kind of diagnosis of the present and it's tendencies. This is a very important and often ignored point. The I Ching does not bear much resemblence to the divinatory practices of the West, and as such it deserves a second evaluation from scholars and religious authorities alike. I would never have been able to reach that conclusion if I had not read this wonderful little book. Buy it if the Classic of Changes fascinates you!