I Ching: The Book of Change (Compass)

The book is such an insightful read, and worth getting. The only issue that I found was the book arrived damaged.

I have six different translations of the I Ching. Wilhelm's is THE great encyclopedia of this ancient Chinese phenomenon when one wants to learn all about it in great depth.  The I Ching or Book of Changes .For everyday meditation and divination, Blofeld's version  I Ching: The Book of Change (Compass)  is still the best for me. Faithful to its most ancient sources, and translated directly from the ancient Chinese, it is as pure and simple as a Zen garden, using the clear imagery of the original Chinese; however, it still has many unobtrusive footnotes with helpful suggestions and background from the author. It doesn't overwrite, re-interpret or "modernize" the original texts, allowing the questioner to read the original meaning and images as they were and let the questioner decide what they symbolize in his/her particular situation. I've been amazed at how often the simple ancient imagery (oxcarts, sacrificial bowls, arrows, etc.) is more meaningful to me in answering my questions than the updated "interpretations" found in other versions which leave out the imagery.A good secondary volume to Blofeld's is Browne's I Ching  The I Ching or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points , which interprets much of the I Ching text through the eyes of Buddhism, frequently emphasizing the abnegation of the ego and the virtues of non-action, humility and equanimity - and it does omit a lot of the original imagery; nevertheless, it can be of help in interpreting the Blofeld text and is warmer and more personal in tone.

I just received the book.I had the same version in my native language and wanted in english so my husband can read it too. The book cover wasn't in perfect condition when it arrived ( not horrible, just ears at the corners and the black ink scraped off in some spots ) and the printed letters in black aren't great. Looks like every letter is a little smudged, as if the paperback has absorbed too much ink. Still can read it ok but might get my eyes tired.

I appreciate Blofeld's effort to render the I Ching down to something manageable for his English-speaking contemporaries. But it is a product of a time, 1965, when Western culture believed Eastern philosophy could be distilled and clarified because it expected too much of the initiate to penetrate otherwise. It thus suffers unduly from its brevity.Blofeld takes every opportunity he can to tweak the Wilhelm/Baynes translation as inadequate in so many ways while failing to realize he's flattened the source poetic imagery to caricature. I find him helpful when I need a starting point to explain a reading to someone unfamiliar with the I Ching and occasionally interesting as another opinion, but he's never going to be my go-to. Wilhelm is still the richest version. If you find his language a challenge, add the Ritsema translation to it. I promise you'll get more from your readings.

Found all of the five great I-Ching books on amazon and even a perfect third edition hard cover (67) Wilhelm / Baynes! (and I do mean PERFECT condition as if it were printed yesterday!). I was very pleased with the hard cover Huang translation and the follow-up "numerology" edition. This Blofeld (65) copy has been a great cross-translation and even though in paper back it was in absolutely new condition. I did not have PRIME then but will not make that mistake again!!! PRIME opens the door for so much more!!!

The John Blofeld translation & "guide" to use of the Yijing is the one I prefer over all others for actual use. A paperback copy I have used for decades is coming loose from its bindings, & I'd been unable to find another locally, so am very please to have this made available through the Amazon site. Were there a hardback more durable publishing of this same work by Blofeld, I would purchase it.

Somewhat hard to read. But, I love the IChing! So...I use this book often!

it is so good i have to hide it from myself sometimes its scary true. i always consult the i ching

This version of the i ching is a very user-friendly translation with clear instructions and helpful information. Definitely recommend for someone just beginning.The book arrived quickly and in excellent condition, thank you

The instructions are precise and simple, the answers it yields are easy to understand and faithfully preserve the meaning contained in the ancient texts.lovingly written volume become indispensable to me only beginner.Autor J.Blofeld's interpretation is timeless as the ICHING itself.

Excellent translation of I Ching.It is very easy to use, as well as the language author used to convey whole sense of old archaic original.Again, very good translation of this fascinating text and method invented.Use it well and you will not be disappointed.

Considerata dagli addetti ai lavori (Stephen Skinner su tutti) un'ottima traduzione, presenta anche introduzione e presentazione operativa di tutto rispetto.Unico neo l'approccio davvero economico non solo nella carta e nel formato (che anzi lo rendono comodissimo per frequenti viaggi senza pensieri - do per scontato che un testo del genere sia sempre con voi...), ma anche nella stampa e nell'impaginazione, che rendono le pagine semplicemente brutte, lontane dall'estetica dell'I Ching.

I find it really difficult to read and this is frustrating, because the content is superb. The words though look kind of blurry/too thick either because paper is too pouros or characters too thick. Bad choice