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The Book of Chuang Tzu (Arkana)
 
 
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The Book of Chuang Tzu (Arkana) (Paperback)

by Elizabeth Breuilly (Author), Martin Palmer (Author), Man-Ho Kwok (Editor) "In the darkness of the north there is a fish, whose name is Vast ..." (more)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Arkana (25 Jan 1996)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140194886
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140194883
  • Product Dimensions: 19.7 x 12.9 x 1.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 358,508 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
A Chinese classic, the "Chuang Tzu" was written sometime in the 14th century BC, and consists of original teachings, stories, tales and jokes told by Master Chuang, as well as others which have coalesced round his name. It is considered second only to the "Tao Te Ching", but the two books coundn't be more different. Where the "Tao Te Ching" is distant and proverbial in style, the "Chuang Tze" buzzes with life and with insights, often with considerable humour behind them. "Chuang Tzu"'s development of what later became known as Taoism lies in his advocacy of change as fundamental to life, and of the desire to cling on to things as being the basic problem of suffering and fustration. His writing combines wisdom and wit, and does not present a case so much as engage in argument and debate with the reader.
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Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars life-changing, 21 Aug 2001
By Mr. I. Dodkins - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I read an old dusty translation of Xuang Tzu (Chuang Tzu) in Southampton library many years ago. It made me re-assess my understanding of philosophy towards life, though it was my first understanding of Taoism.

This version is much easier to understand and (as far as I know) is complete. There is another book (The Way of Chuang Tzu), which has a few of these stories within it in a more easily understood format (though not directly translated). However if you want a cheap comprehensive book of Chuang Tzu's writing this is the one to get. I re-read it regularly and always find it amusing and interesting. If I lost it I would buy it again.

There is a good introducion of Chuang Tzu and the texts. It comprises a series of stories which are both insightful and amusing. Some passages must be re-read to get an understanding of the meaning (and often after reflecting on them), but this is intrinsic within the work and not an effect of the translator.

I never found the Tao Te Ching very interesting - this is like an interesting version of it in story form with which I found a much stronger association (and actually helped me to understand the Tao Te Ching better).

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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Chuang Tzu -Taoist good stuff, 25 Jun 2001
The Book of Chuang Tsu is the other great work of Taoism (as opposed to general Chinese masterworks) and is considerably different to the Lao Tzu/Tao Te Ching. It consists of short stories, often with Confucius and other legendary figures as participants - illustrating aspects of the Tao and of Chuang Tzu's thinking. (Or in the case of Confucius more often demonstrating what not to do.)

The stories are interesting, (and central) but if you are looking for an introduction to Taoism or the thinking of Taoism I'd recommend you read the Tao of Pooh first (Ben Hoffman).

As I have only read this version, I cannot comment with any authority on the merits of the translation. Though Martin Palmer is a bona fide thinker in that he is not a mere academic translating a text - he is someone who has feeling for the Tao. (He has written lots of other stuff which suggests this.) Which is a good thing.

There is much wisdom in this book, but it is not preachy. Recommending a classic of literature like this is like reviewing and recommending the Bible or any other ancient text. But it is not preachy, and expects nothing of you than to read it. This is what all good books are about. Recommended!

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18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book but more a commentary on accepting your place..., 5 Jul 2005
I have only recently started to read about the Dao and books on it or by its great practitioners... and this particular one came across more a book on accepting ones place in life and venerating the emporer rather than a great philosophical treatise.

Within the text there are some fantastic nuggets of wisdom that really speak volumes but be warned the writing style is all over the place, which is not a bad thing.

I thought that the introduction could be considerably shorter as it quoted many phrases from the actual writings but didnt really add anything to them.

A good book, and worth reading.

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