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Rating: 
Summary: good book, confusing translation
Review: I like the book, but the translation seems confusing at times. For example, on p. 29: "The channels and network vessels include the channel vessels and the network vessels." What does this mean, exactly? Grammatically, the sentence says only that "channels" include "channel vessels" (since network vessels obviously include network vessels -- the sentence is redundant.) Also, grammatically, "channel vessels" should be a kind of vessel, related to channels (as opposed to networks). To make things more confusing, a few lines later, we get: "There are two types of channel vessels: the twelve channels and the eight extraordinary vessels." This sentence says that a "channel" is a type of "channel vessel", which seems to contradict the earlier sentence (which said that a "channel vessel" was a type of channel), as well as the notion that a "channel vessel" is a type of vessel. As a software engineer experienced in object-oriented analysis, I'm frustrated that I'm completely unable to determine the relationship between "channels", "channel vessels", "network vessels", "extraordinary vessels", and "vessels".
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Summary: For basic theory, look no further
Review: It's too bad that Fundamentals has not received more attention from credentialing bodies and colleges of Chinese medicine in the US. It compiles and translates some excellent Chinese sources on Chinese medical theory and synthesizes them into an organized and coherent textbook.Every introductory theory textbook covers the same content, at least in principle. Fundamentals stands out from the crowd because it is one of the few books available in English to discuss treatment principles and their position in the logical sequence of examination, pattern identification, establishment of treatment principles, and detailed treatment according to those principles. This sequence is the hallmark of the TCM style of Chinese medicine and is what makes TCM effective. Most English-language books on theory give short shrift or no space at all to treatment principles, so it comes as no surprise that this is an aspect of Chinese medicine which is often overlooked in the West. Omitting this step in the logical sequence of the TCM method leads to inappropriate treatment and confusion about treatment outcomes. Some may find initially Fundamentals to be initially difficult or quirky, because it employs the Wiseman/Ye standard terminology, but the excellent glossary section, complete with definitions, Pinyin romanization and Chinese characters should make it accessible to everyone. For its in-depth discussion of TCM treatment principles and how they support the logical sequence of TCM, illustrated with many examples, including representative acupuncture and herbal prescriptions, Fundamentals deserves a place in the library of every student and practitioner.
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Summary: EXCELLENT, FUNDAMENTAL, ESSENTIAL!!
Review: This book is like a complete textbook on Chinese Medicine. It goes over all the fundamental theories in great depth and detail. Beginning with the Yin-Yang theories and going through the Five Phases, 8 principles, and everything else, this book provides all the necessary information. It does read like a textbook, but only because it IS a textbook! I am not enrolled in a school of Oriental medicine, but I bought this book and I LOVE it. It was inexpensive for its size and the amount of information it provides. I am able to read it even though I have not had any formal training in TCM, yet I think experienced students and even practitioners will find this book useful and complete.
An essential must for any TCM library!
Rating:
Summary: good book, confusing translation
Review: This is one of the better introductory texts to the study of Chinese medical theory. What it has and others lack are helpful footnotes along the way to solidify the many, often confusing and sometime non-discernable, concepts in Chinese medicine. In addition, readers are eased into the basics of Chinese materia medica by having such information intertwined within the theoretical discourse. A real gem.
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