I have read many versions of this book and I found this to be very insightful. Thank you for such a refreshing take on this classic.

This book is simply lovely and as a bonus, a surprisingly perfect introduction to Taoism. Ursula K Le Guin manages to not only translate these gorgeous, simple yet thoughtful poems with her brilliant skill, but she also manages to remark on many of the poems to truly bring them to life. I found myself reading the poems, reading her insightful commentary, and then going back to reread the poems with fresh eyes. I would highly recommend owning this book. It's one you'll revisit again and again. It would also make a wonderful gift.

This was my first read of the Tao Te Ching, and I am glad to have chosen Ursula K. Le Guin as my guide. Her footnotes were interesting, whimsical, and thought-provoking.

Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book about the Way and the Power of the Way is a modern rendition and release of the ancient Chinese text with commentary by Ursula K. Le Guin. This book, in all its retellings and re-translations is such a part of the fabric of human existence that it's familiar to virtually everyone who's lived in the last several hundred years.There's a great deal of obscure philosophy that can be maddeningly inaccessible and even though the translations mostly start with the same source material, they can be subtly changed by the actual translation.

This edition, released 14th May 2019 by Shambhala is 208 pages and available in ebook format. Other formats are available in earlier editions.

Most of the value of the book for me personally comes from the 'liner notes' and verse commentary from Le Guin herself. I grew up with her works and it's not an exaggeration to say her books molded a great deal of my internal landscape and my views on gender, race, kindness and what it means to be human came to me from (among a few others) her. Especially since her death in Jan. 2018, I've been revisiting her earlier works and this new book with her own observations on life, death, and the meaning of everything is such a profoundly moving experience.

Five stars. I miss Ursula K. Le Guin.

Late science fiction master presents her take on Lao Tzu’s classic work. She calls it a “rendition,” as she does not translate Chinese, but uses other translations and interpretations to create one uniquely her own and well suited to modern readers. It’s a classic because it speaks to timeless problems and paradoxes of human existence and an important book to read in the age of Trump.

I think Lao Tzu, whoever "he" is, would love this translation of the Tao Te Ching. He has hundreds of translations to choose from but the simple, uncomplicated cadence of Ursula's language infuses a wonderful lightness of touch and fun into a book which deals with all of our deepest philosophical questions. In addition she offers brief explanations or musings of her own after each stanza and these are likewise wisely and delicately observed. As a great writer in numerous genres and as a lifelong devotee of Lao Tzu's great work she is perfectly qualified to do so. This would be a perfect choice for your first reading of of this world-renowned classic. If you've read it many times and in many versions, I'm certain you will find new perspectives and unmitigated pleasure in this edition.

I'm not sure how to rate this since the book has been around so .long and has so many translations. I've only read a couple. But I did like this one. The translation seemed credible and the commentary generally helpful or interesting; What she brought to it, I liked. I'm sure someone with more experience with this ancient text will have much more helpful comments/input.

I really appreciate the copy for review!

This wasn't listed as download only, no kindle available in Netgalley. I'd love to read it, but can't.