Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu

I certainly liked this translation better than [b:The Complete Works of Lao Tzu: Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching 147310 The Complete Works of Lao Tzu Tao Teh Ching & Hua Hu Ching Hua-Ching Ni https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348090343s/147310.jpg 142168]. Unfortunately, like Ni with his translation, Walker does not give much of an introduction making clear his translation choices, so it is not possible to take what I read here and compare it to what I have read in other texts translated by other people. And like Ni, he does not deal with the history of the Hua Hu Ching. I think the possibility of fraud in the origin of a text is important. I know that the Hua Hu Ching would not be invalidated as a taoist text even if it were not what it claims to be (the writing of Lao Tzu); even if it had been written in Pacoima last week, within the logic of Taoism it would still be valid if it were a valuable source of insight. But when presenting a largely unknown text to the English-speaking world, I think a little explication and forthrightness is in order. The translation is pleasant to read and easy to follow.

On the heel of The Way of Zen, this little read was easy to get through but provided a lot of good for thought. It's a great book to have at home and open on a random page for some inspiration from time to time, but I would not recommend it for those uninitiated in the realms of Taoism.