- Paperback: 232 pages
- Publisher: Columbia University Press; New edition edition (April 2005)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0231118171
- ISBN-13: 978-0231118170
- Product Dimensions: 22.3 x 14.7 x 1.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 340 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,595,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
Meticulously researched...Very readable and enjoyable. Library Journal
Book Description
In 1993, an astonishing discovery was made at a tomb in Guodian in Hubei province (east central China). Written on strips of bamboo that have miraculously survived intact since 300 B.C., the "Guodian Laozi," is by far the earliest version of the Tao Te Ching ever unearthed. Students of ancient Chinese civilization proclaimed the text a decisive breakthrough in the understanding of this famous text: it provides the most conclusive evidence to date that the text was the work of multiple authors and editors over hundreds of years, rather than the achievement of a single individual writing during the time of Confucius. Robert Henricks now presents the first English translation of the "bamboo slip Laozi." Differing substantially from other versions we have of the text, the Guodian Laozi provides us with clues on how and when the text came into being. As Henricks's translation shows, many chapters are missing in this form of the text, and some chapters remain incomplete. All of this seems to suggest that the Tao Te Ching was not yet "complete" when these slips were copied. In his translation, Henricks focuses attention on lines in each of the chapters that vary from readings in other editions. In addition, he shows how the sequence of chapters in this form of the text is totally unrelated to the sequence readers commonly see in the "standard" form of the text, i.e., in other translations. Here are just a few of the noteworthy features of this new Tao Te Ching: * A lucid introduction to the Guodian Laozi, offering background on the archaeological interpretation of the discovery * Line-by-line comparisons of the Guodian Laozi against the Mawangdui and Wang Bi editions * Extensive notes on each chapter describing the unique elements of the Guodian Laozi in comparison with other versions * Transcriptions for each chapter, noting both the ancient and modern form of the characters in the chapter * An appendix featuring the official biography of Laozi written by Sima Qian, the Grand Historian of China, as well as Henricks's commentary and notes on this biography This groundbreaking work will lead to a reassessment of the history and significance of this well-known and critical work as well as a reevaluation of the role it played in the development of Taoism in early China.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Embrace this translation with confidence...,
By
This review is from: Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching": A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian (Hardcover)
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.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Earliest Version!,
By Bao Pu (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching": A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian (Hardcover)
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.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Scholar excellence on Taoist classic,
This review is from: Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching": A Translation of the Startling New Documents Found at Guodian (Hardcover)
It was with amazement that I read about the new publication of the Guodian slip of Laozi, translated by Robert G. Henricks. This new treasury found in 1993 was studied upon by several Chinese and western scholars, including R.G. Henricks. He was one of the 31 scholars who attended the International seminar for discussion and study upon this new bamboo slip scripture.It doesn't need explanation, to say that Mr Henricks is an extraordinary skilled and profound scholar in the Laozi realm of work. After translating and publishing his work on the Ma-Wang-Tui text of the Lao-Tzu - which proves over and over again to be a high-quality translation and commentary - it was but logical to find the 1st translation of the Guodian treasure to be translated and commented upon by him. The Guodian version, named the Laozi, consists only of 31 chapters out of the 81 chapters we know today as being the complete Lao-Tzu work called the Tao Te Ching. It should be seen as an indepth study on the new Guodian version and I would not recommend this book to someone who has not studied the 'complete' Tao Te Ching prior to reading this book. The Laozi is organized as it was written down on the bamboo slips; In three different Themes. For simplicity, Mr Henricks named these A, B and C. This division has a similar approach in Chuang-Tzu's work: three Sections making up his work: Inner section, Outer section and Miscellaneous. If this was intented is a thesis, but not a fact. It is opted this version to be one that's connected with the Guan-Dao school of Daoism. A great explanation is included on the completeness of the Guodian version compared to the philospical elements that are known in the later versions of the Lao-Tzu (Tao Te Ching). For those who study and want to have new revelation upon the philosophy and Meaning of the Lao-Tzu, this book is a MUST read.
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