This is a sure bet for a reliable edition of the Tao Te Ching in the hands of a skilled translator.

He guides you through a brief introduction to the 'philosophy' of Taoism and through the significance of the Mawangtui texts. These provide marvelous foundation for approaching this ever elusive, ever unfolding Tao.

Of my six copies, I have found his to be the most 'objective' (recognizing, of course, that this is somewhat of an illusion) and matter-of-fact. As far as I can tell, he sticks to the text as text, having a scholastic view of the Tao rather than a spiritual bent. Whereas many, if not most, translations display the spiritual background of the translator, I never get that feeling from this one.

It reads easy and makes sense of some passages that have proven difficult in other translations. Of course, if we can understand the Tao then we really don't have it!

But this is a surefire bet to give you a solid foundation and an easily approachable translation of the Tao Te Ching. It's one I return to again and again.

A must-have for those who can't wait for a translation and commentary a little more in-depth and "friendlier" of this, the earliest copy.