Tao Te Ching

By: Lao Tsu (translated by Gia-fu Feng, Jane English)

Narrated by: Dr. Jacob Needleman

Length: 2 hrs

Publisher's Summary

The Tao Te Ching, a 6th century B.C. Chinese masterpiece, is one of the world's most revered sources of spiritual wisdom. This authoritative translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English captures the essence of Lao Tsu's language, bringing the Tao Te Ching's powerful message to a whole new generation of students. This collection is read by renowned philosopher and author Dr. Jacob Needleman, who also provides illuminating commentary on the text. This ancient classic presents timeless spiritual meditations on wisdom in action, illustrating important lessons that have resonated with its students for centuries.

Recording (P)1990 by Audio Literature; Copyright ©1972 by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English

Tao Te Ching always great, but the naration hertoo

The Tao Te Ching is of course as always great, this version is also complemented by excellent thought provoking commentary at the end. But I think what sets this version apart is the narration. With the Tao Te Ching, it far to tempting to put into any reading of it an unneeded emphasis on certain words that implies a narrative that I don't think is necessarily intended by the author. For instance in some readings the narrator may simply emphasize certain words that make it sound like "ohhh this is really wise stuff here" or they may make it sound like the Tao Te Ching was written in the Matrix.. The narrator must put in some effort to separate his beliefs or feelings about the tao te ching or a particular topic with his reading of the Tao Te Ching. On the other hand, a computeristic reading can also be unpleasant and hard to listen to. I think Mr. Needleman gets the reading right with a nice flow, but nothing unneeded.

Are you Ready?

A wonderful translation with an equally wonderful analysis and guide by the translator at the end. As he says, the Tao Te Ching speaks to the readers ability to understand, and as understanding deepens so does the Tao Te Ching.
One of the great wisdom works. The Nag Hammadi Library, The Bhagavad Gita, The Tao Te Ching, The Upanishads, The Kabbalah.

Very good all the way around

This is the second audiobook version of the TTC I have (the first being S. Mitchell's), and although I first hesitated to get a second version of something I already had, I am glad I did.

The translation is quite interesting and although similar to Mitchell's, it is different enough to be fresh and provoke new thoughts.

The reading style is a bit more stoic and scholarly, and again I think this provides a nice contrast to the Mitchell version. I thought the reader did a wonderful job, and had no problems listening on earbuds or speakers. It is a bit more "brisk" than the Mitchell version.

There is also an interesting commentary at the end, well-worth a listen in its own right.

I've mentioned this on some other reviews, but I wish the audiobook chapters matched up with the book chapters. I guess that's not a concern or something, but it bothers me just a bit. It makes jumping to desired parts of the book almost impossible. I suppose the extra effort of manually "chaptering" a reading is not seen as being an important goal?

Overall: a great translation and recording!

Very good, indeed

My review of this book is as much a review of the book itself as well as the Audible presentation.

Many years ago a Taoist here in San Francisco said, "Buy this book. It will change your life!"

I did so, and it did. I think if you buy the book, and listen to this book, your view of life will indeed change, and for the better.

Some of the Tao "dicta" require analysis over a long period of time but I was amazed at how much the Tao applies to the modern way of American government. If we had followed its easy to understand advice, we would have saved literally a trillion dollars. This is a lot to get from one short little book.

This book is for the most intelligent and highly trained among us as well as gives counsel to those not quite there, yet.

The Tao gives advice that can be followed at the highest level of governance, and the advantage is that anyone at this level will appreciate the advice yet never ever have to admit to being a "Taoist."

Fine Reading of a Classic

Jacob Needleman gives a very listenable reading of the classic Tao. However, I was less impressed with the second part where he lectures on the text. He gets carried away refuting the "go with the flow" cliche, which seemed like overkill.

Life changer

Many years ago, I walked into a store here in San Francisco that sold trinkets, but had this book up on a shelf.

I asked the woman about it and she said get it, read it, and it will change your life. Even if I just read it once.

It did.

Fist half excellent! Second half, not so much.

Nowhere is the contrast between nuanced ancient wisdom and the dull wit of modern intellectualism so apparent as in this audio book. The narrator does an excellent job of reading the Tao Te Ching in the first half. The second half is a clumsy attempt to connect the dots between the lessons and meaning of the Tao and their supposed applications to modern western life. In his analysis, the writer stumbles headlong into the very intellectual traps and pitfalls cautioned against by Lao Tsu. Better to let the text stand on it's own merit and encourage readers to draw their own conclusions.

Excellent translation (pick this one!)

There are many Tao Te Ching translations and audiobooks. I’ve listened to several and this is my favourite. I can happily listen to this as I drift off to sleep in the evening. Also, the narrator’s pace is measured so that you can take each sentence in. This is a work to be pondered over many listenings.

best narration ever

listened to this version something like 30 times, i sometimes like to listen to other attempts at translation for comparison but this one is my favorite.

It is not unabridged!

Missing both forward and introduction in this audiobook. The forward is not so important but the introduction is very beneficial for those not familiar with the context of the Tao Te Ching 34. This is a fundamental over site.

Eternal

If you didn't appreciate this book or feel like no value was added to your life, listen again....and again.....and again

A true great

Listen again and again until it makes sense in your life and your inner conscious.

inlightning

loved it heard it when couldn't fall asleep. narrative was relaxing and the story was beautiful. continued next morning and started the day in great spirit. thank you

Great introduction

A subtle inspiration to the TAO.
Looking forward to learn more after listening to this audibook.

More please.

Now I just want to read more about Taoism, which I will. A clear, insightful, thought provoking and a sensible starting point on Taoism.

Great

Amazing book. I have completed 5 times and each time I learnt something new.

good

good translation with some nice closure notes and interpretations. I found the narrator's voice soothing

A joy to experience

My feeling is, the narrator of this volume is making a truly involved and magnificent performance!

Horrible audio

The audio is horrible. It was clearly not recorded at a studio. the "p"s and "s"s sound so high pitched and loud it is distracting as well as hurtfull.

Must listen more than once

To Start to absorb this, you would do well to listen to it a number of times, it's thought provoking and very well read