The Daodejing of Laozi (Hackett Classics)

This is the only translation of the Dao I've read, so I don't have other references to compare this version to. But, I think the author does a good job of conveying the dual nature of the text, each passage can be interpreted differently and this translation doesn't take that important feature away from English readers. The Dao itself is a masterfully written, thought-provoking text that continues to be relevant in modern times. I haven't read other translations of it, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The Daodejing is short, but it is also profound. It can give you insight into the human spirit, the way of nature, and the meaning of life all in one of the many short paragraphs. Highly recommended to anyone interested in philosophy or knowledge in general.

I rarely review amazon products, just have better ways to spend my time. I got on here just to review this translation. I own a few others, including stephen mitchell's (for some reason very famous) which is very derivative.I have no idea why Ivanhoe's work isn't more renowned. But this is amazing. May it change your life like it has mine.

I have several translations of this ancient philosophical classic. While all of them have their merits, I feel that Ivanhoe's version is lucid enough to recommend to first time readers. He strikes a very nice balance between scholarly rigor and poetry- which is quite a rare feat in translating such an enigmatic work. Although it's always a good idea to refer to multiple versions of this text to get a good sense of the profound wisdom it contains, if you were trapped on an island with only Ivanhoe's translation you would likely have all you need for a lifetime of Tao cultivation. A real treasure!

I found the book in great condition. Obviously a literary jewel. I only have one hang up. The previous author highlighted and left notes in the book. I can't wrap my mind around this practice. Why impose the value one finds in a book this way? Make notes on a separate note pad. This allows an authentic experience of value for each reader/owner of the text to follow.

Philip J. Ivanhoe has produced an outstanding translation of the Daodejing, noted as such for its clarity and accuracy. Plenty of helpful notes and commentary, a thoughtful introduction by Ivanhoe himself and an interesting appendix explaining the process of translation from Chinese are all great additions to the core text. I wholeheartedly recommend this edition for first-time readers and longtime students of the Daodejing.

I've read other translations and this is by far the best. It has a way of keeping intact the many meanings derived from the original writing and conveying it to English readers in ways that they can easily understand.

Excellent translation by one of my Stanford University martial arts students.

Bought this for my IH Mosaics class. Found myself actually reading it for fun. It's elegant style makes you question your basic concepts of Tao.

Good book. Thank you