DAO DE JING

This translation and explanation of Taoism's core text is wonderful, but almost too dense for an audiobook. Nonetheless, the production is quite good. Ralph Lowenstein's delivery is paced like a good lecture, but with friendly emotional tones. His clear delivery makes it easy to distinguish among the various Chinese terms included. However, as the authors make many subtle distinctions among an array of philosophical points, place these concepts in historical and cultural context, and explain differences among past translations--it takes time to digest their many valuable insights. This would be perfect for a student of religion, and a university library, but is not especially accessible for the average listener. G.T.B. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 03]