Review by PCW on Amazon.com
I am a native Chinese speaker. I have read the Tao Te Ching in many Chinese as well as English editions. However, it has always been difficult to match the Chinese and English versions, because many English translations have cut out much of the original material and added many of the translator's own words.
When I read this translation and matched it to the Chinese original line by line, I could see that there was an exact correspondence between the two. Nothing had been cut out or added arbitrarily. At the same time, the translator had rendered the complex and difficult ancient Chinese into simple, modern English.
As I am reading this book, I am absorbing not only the translation, but also the commentaries. The format is perfect for daily readings to help me cultivate the Tao. It really brings the teachings to life. I have introduced this book to many native Chinese speakers. Some of them find the original Tao Te Ching difficult to understand, and yet they can understand this English version easily.
I would highly recommend this book to you if you are interested in the Tao - whether you understand the original or not. You will find the clarity and simplicity of the writing most helpful as you explore this ancient Chinese wisdom.
