Customer Reviews (1)

Follow the Path to the Light at the End
This book has led me to believe that there is indeed hope for us in the 21st Century to re-discover a spirituality. One that will work in these current times, that is.

What these two authors have done is to present to the reader, four of the most influential sages or saints (depending on your location) and their lives, their thoughts and their personalities.

Armed with this knowledge the reader then finds it extremely possible to undertake the difficult process of finding a sense of grounding in today's turbulent society. ... Read more

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Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

Not a bad book
If you want to learn about classical Chinese thought you can do that here.It is breezy, readable, and not absurd.I think Arthur Waley: Three Ways of Thought in Ancient China is very much better for this.Waley is equally accessible, and equally old-fashioned or dated, but gives deeper information on the ideas and is more passionately involved with them.

As to the later ideas, notably Mao, you might expect much from a book that says "In the hundred years from mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century China has changed more profoundly than in the previous two thousand years" (p. 235).But this part is just 20 pages long.It is much better than the earlier parts.It is more vigorous and more informative.I do not know any single short source that is better.But of course there are many much better longer intellectual and political histories of twentieth century China.

Creel shows a serious misunderstanding when he says "to most Western readers a page that is sprinkled with Chinese names becomes rather forbidding," and his back cover promises "the text is not cluttered with Chinese names."First, the problem is not only with Chinese names.It is wearing to read any book that introduces four or five new names on each page and gives each one a brief paragraph before moving on.And, second, Creel often does this himself, despite his promise, often citing the historian Yulan Feng as source.Feng is often transcribed as Fung.He wrote a two volume History of Chinese Philosophy in the 1930s, in Chinese, still widely used, and he wrote a one volume SHORT HISTORY OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHY largely aimed at westerners but still much longer than this book by Creel.Both available from Amazon, they are more demanding than this by Creel or the book by Waley mentioned above.

Creel was a great expert, at the University of Chicago, and it was no easy thing in terms of the political situation to write a book like this in the US in 1953.But the result is not a very good book.

Good, brief, readable synopsis
Published in 1953, this book is a bit dated, but it's a good, brief and readable synopsis of Chinese philosophy's history and main concepts.It starts off a bit weakly, with rather broad generalizations about Chinese thought and culture and a less-than critical take on Confucius, apparently treating the entire Analects as representing reliable records of his statements.It's generally believed these were compiled over a long period, with some material neither originating with Confucius nor representing his thought.A couple chapters are markedly Taoist and even anti-Confucian, but Creel only mentions them in passing, suggesting they can be reconciled with Confucian thought.It's hard to see how, but Creel doesn't elaborate.No doubt Creel knew his subject well and the simplistic impression is due to brevity, but a caveat or two would have helped.

However, Creel becomes considerably more critical regarding both texts and concepts as he moves on to Mo Tzu, Mencius, the Taoists, Hsun Tzu, the Legalists, etc.There's still simplification, but this can't be avoided in such a short work, and his combining philosophical with political history is quite helpful.This is particularly true as Chinese philosophy has often had a pronounced political orientation (even Taoism, in reacting against this focus), as many of the leading thinkers served in government or aspired to, and as the state and emperors have typically aligned themselves publicly with a particular philosophy (with varying degrees of sincerity).

Another strength is the book's inclusion of post-classical philosophy, continuing through the Communist state's establishment.It's hard to find brief, popular works on Chinese philosophy that cover its entire history, much less ones that do it well and place ideas in historical and political context (Fung Yu-Lan's Short History may be another, but I've just started it).Necessarily the result is a synopsis rather than treatment in depth, but Creel does this quite well.In little space he sheds considerable light on the philosophical eclecticism of the Han Dynasty, Buddhism's introduction to China and its evolution and impacts there, neo-Confucianism, reactions against it, and Western influence.

This background is helpful in trying to understand China's difficulties and struggles during the twentieth century, and Creel gives a very plausible explanation for the quick and fairly widespread acceptance of Communism by both the Chinese people and the intellectuals.At the end of the book he lapses again into some breezy generalizations and perhaps a touch of romanticizing, although not without some useful insights.Overall it's a very good book and one wishes Creel were available for a final word on China today.

One of the best books on Chinese political philosophy
By far the best study ever written of Chinese philosophy. Particular attention should be paid to Chapters VII, VIII and IX to understand the Asian mind. The influence of the totalitarian vision of Legalism on Chinese thought for thousands of years is not fully understood. The Chinese Empire, created in 221 B.C., was a fusion of Legalism and Confucianism. Chairman Mao was a great admirer of the first Chinese Emperor, who hated Confucianism and was a total Legalist. Indeed, modern "Communism" in China is really very much a continuation of some past trends. Check my Listamania list for more books on Legalism.

Compact, concise book, very informative.
H.G. Creel writes a wonderful book tracing the roots of Chinese thought from the pre-Confucian era to Mao Tse-Tung.Written in an easy to understand fashion, the book makes you want to learn more about the subject.

Old-fashioned but enjoyable
I just picked up a beautiful old copy of this at Moe's books in Berkeley.It dates from the early fifties.I don't know if this Chicago edition is simply a reprint, but I am finding it to be a throroughly well-written and enjoyable book.At times it simplifies and idealizes where perhaps a contemporary academic account might be more cautious, but this gives it a certain romance that accords with the subject matter. ... Read more

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From the literary community's most talented translator ofChinese, a compelling, contemporary rendition of Ancient China's mostsignificant work

"Breathtaking" --Publishers Weekly

Confucius failed in his lifetime to rescue a crumbling civilizationwith his teachings, but he was to become the most influential sage inhuman history. His thought, still remarkably current, survives here inThe Analects-a collection of brief aphoristic sayings that has had adeeper impact on more people's lives over a longer period of time thanany other book in human history.

Highly regarded for the poetic fluency he brings to his award-winningwork, David Hinton is the first twentieth-century translator to renderthe four central masterworks of ancient Chinese thought: ChuangTzu, Mencius, The Analects, and Tao Te Ching(forthcoming from Counterpoint). His new versions are not onlyinviting and immensely readable, but they also apply a much-neededconsistency to key terms in these texts. Breathing new life into theseclassics, Hinton's translations will stand as the definitive seriesfor our era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Kongzi the miserablefailure
I ordered this book because of the reviews. Actually I ordered it expedited delivery in September but Amazon had problems and I didn't get it until December (no refund). So, I began the introduction in the excitement of belated but final achievement.In the fourth line I stopped, "The most influential sage in human history ... 'his had been a disappointing life'" Hello. Sixth line ..'needless to say he failed miserably'. So the judge, Hinton, decides the life of a man who has had more effect on the ethical structure of China and much of Asia, is not up to Hinton's standards. I threw the book away. Garbage. No credible writer is that bloated with his own importance.

Accessible
David Hinton is one of my favorite translators of Chinese texts. He makes the language accessible without dumbing it down or losing its lofty nature. He manages to preserve its verse like quality. Here's an excerpt from The Analects translated by mit.edu alongside David Hinton's translation.

mit.edu: "The Master said, 'The superior man is satisfied and composed; the mean man is always full of distress.'"

David Hinton: "The Master said, 'The noble minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.'"

He also includes notes that help put various characters and episodes into context, as well as provide some background. His introduction to Confucius is also very informative.

If you're trying to choose from among the various translations of the Analects, David Hinton's certainly deserves your consideration.

Don't you want to know what the sage really said?
China has been a nation governed by philosophers, among them many state officials trained by the great Confucius. My first contact with his sayings was in the old Charlie Chan movies where Confucius always seemed to have an important contribution to make in solving the murder. In the Analects we get more great sayings. But this time they are there to make an important contribution to our quest for the good life, which will follow naturally from self-cultivation and mastery of the Tao. I suppose there are some who don't need wisdom to live wisely. As for me, I am not that lucky. I need to read the philosophers like Confucius and get their input. Particularly important for modern times are the Master's statements about government, epistemology, rituals, and money. "In government, the secret is integrity. Use it." How about this one? "Shall I explain understanding for you, Lu? When you understand something, you know you understand it. When you don't understand something, know you don't understand it. That is understanding." Adept Kung wanted to do away with sacrificing sheep to announce a new moon to the ancestors. The Master said, "You love sheep, Kung." Pretty funny! The thing the really dropped me off my chair was the Master's explanation why a powerfull nation should never attack a less powerful nation preemptively. (This was the Chi versus Chung-Yu controversy, but it applies to Iraq.) Read that yourself and tell me if it doesn't make sense. Another gem: After the master heard a line from a poem: I haven't stopped loving you/ but your home is so far away - The Master said, "If he'd really loved her, he wouldn't have worried about the distance." Hinton's translations are simple and direct and relate to the spirit of the Chinese but not the letter. Those of you who know Chinese (I still murder the language after 22 years of study) know how difficult it is to translate into English. The reason is that the thoughts are actually different in Chinese and any translation therefore must miss the mark. Hinton is excellent but I also recommend you also take a look at the Arthur Wailey translation for a balanced view.

Betrays the original
Uses contemporary language better than most, but ultimately doesn't justify the many liberties it takes. (In at least one instance, a disciple's identity is actually changed!) "Humanity" as atranslation for _ren_ is not improved by being capitalized. Wade-Gilesromanization. ... Read more

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A personal advice guide for business people at any level of the corporate ladder addresses the one hundred most-asked questions about work and is based on the philosophies of Confucius as they were presented in I Ching. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I Ching and business
Author uses her theological education and eastern philosophy of five thousand year old I, Ching book to explain common issues in the business world.If you are looking for a comprehensive book on how to ask for a raise do not get your hopes up.There is actually only one question that pertains to that issue.You would be better off to read Napoleon Hill's "How to give yourself a raise?" book if you are looking for answers on the question of a salary raise. There are many good advices on the issues related to workplace.It is quick and easy to read book, but its down to earth common sense, makes one realize that it is difficult to stay with the book for a long time.At least in my case, my mind would trail off because either the question or the answer was too mundane.Or perhaps, I just read too many career developemnt and business books in the past.In any case, I got interested in I Ching again and that I am planning to explore after finishing up this book.

An interesting approach...
This book is a great read for anyone interested in the practical applications of philosophy, or even someone looking for the right spiritual answers to day-to-day work problems. Carol Osborn has taken the learnings of the ancient Chinese scripture I Ching and applied them to a hundred commonly faced modern-day work situations. The solutions presented are not quick-fix, step-by-step guides on what to do but to someone who has a little bit of faith, they can open up a lot of doors. Most importantly, they force one to think deeply about each situation and what it means in one's life. Definitely a handy book to have around. ... Read more

Product Description
1915. This work contains the sayings of the Master and his disciples upon the conduct of "The Superior Man." The ethical and political precepts of Confucius are not well known in Occidental countries, even to most of those who give special attention to these subjects; and of what is known, much, indeed most, is confused with the notion that Confucius taught a religion in our sense of that term. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Ethics of Confucius
Excellent condition, prompt delivery.Thank you.

I ordered this book because I was looking for a particular quote.And I found it.
But it took a lot of hunting.I didn't read the rest of the book as the text/translation was too scholarly or labored for me. ... Read more

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"Witty, well-reasoned, and, yes, occasionally potty mouthed, the fiercely talented Lucinda Holdforth may be doing more to save civilization than anyone I know. Holdforth has held forth, and for this I bow down low before her." -Henry Alford, author of How To Live

In this age of global warming and warfare, aren't manners frivolous? Do manners really matter? Yes! Lucinda Holdforth passionately exclaims. Holdforth wonderfully manages to show that manners are not about saying please and thank you, or about teaching your children to address people by Mr. or Mrs. Citing everyone from Erasmus, Tocqueville, T.S. Elliot to George Orwell and Proust and Borat, Holdforth shows how manners- which many of us might think are inconsequential-are actually the cornerstone to civilization.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Ginger Rogers of Writing About Manners
I think this book is superb.The writing to be found in it is wholly conversational yet elegant, humorous and yet graceful.I can say that I learned only a little extra knowledge in reading this book but then I'm a dues-paying member of the choir to whom Lucinda Holdforth is preaching and I was simply looking for a truly successful engagement with the book and its author and, I'm happy to say, I met my goal. I didn't expect to be more appreciative of the subject of manners than I already am nor did I expect to be taught how to have manners, but, again, I was wholly resuscitated, made whole once again, by the reinforcement and validation the author offers here on the subject of manners.One starts to question one's sanity being surrounded by so much that is bare civility at best.

I am amazed how few people, including women (who can yawn without cupping their hand over their mouth or who can't refrain from uttering the instinctive sounds of bursting exhaustion at the same time-- or young men who use the street as their private garbage can), really know and understand manners or know and care how to be mannerly.

This book is not a how-to book.It's a conversation, an informal discourse, a shared exploration and experience, not a manual. It's also highly personal, and still the author manages to touch upon the universal within us all.I was really touched by the vignette about Mrs. Maugham, mother of the famous author, Somerset Maugham.When asked what the secret was to her happiness with her husband who was an ugly toad of a guy (while she was petite and beautiful and could have had any handsome man she wanted), Mrs. Maugham replied, "He never hurts my feelings."

In this little graceful book, you will glide like Ginger Rogers across the floor of the page, reading about Talleyrand, Castiglione, Edmund Burke (as well as politics and law) in addition to riding coach on a crowded plane with a bunch of young male executives who couldn't care less about your boundaries or personal space -- only to discover you're in the most pleasant company you could hope to meet in your travels, Lucinda Holdforth.

The author really does hold forth -- and well -- about the casualization of our culture and what havoc it wreaks in terms of our external consideration of one another.She points up how in Proust's major novel a character makes a subtle gesture, largely with a twitching nostril, to indicate her displeasure with present company, a gesture that would be, the author herself confesses, unknowable and unrecognizable today.Like another instance of subtle gesturing known as "false shame," the author's observations about our present egalitarian society where we have no leaders who can set the standard for good manner underscore the real difficulty which was only obliquely mentioned in her book :what we actually are losing is awareness that others are just as important as we are.While the author does make this assertion, there was little emphasis on the growing absence of awareness of others as a value.Yes, people may scoff that manners are stuffy or snobbish or they may praise manners as a better substitute for civilization than law, but without awareness beyond ourselves, we have lost everything that matters in a culture, a civilization.

Manners Have Mattered Longer Than You Might Think
Do manners matter?They do make social interactions easier or more pleasant, but are they actually necessary? Holdforth not only makes a good case for them, put provides a readable history of manners and their place in earlier civilizations. She uses many examples, from ancient Athens (Aristotle and Pericles) to 19th Century philosophy (Alexis de Tocqueville and Marcel Proust). /Why Manners Matter/ is an easy read, even with all the references that come flying through.

It's said that an armed society is a polite society. More accurately it's that a well-mannered society is a polite society. Always has been. Keeps the social interactions running smoothly--between strangers, acquaintances, and family. Holdforth holds forth (sorry, just couldn't avoid that) on the major parts of why manners matter--because man is a social animal, manners are more important than laws, manners sustain our equality, and manners give us dignity. Easy to read, educational, fun. And probably a great passive-aggressive gift for those ill-mannered people in your life. ... Read more

Product Description
Born in China about 551 b.c., Confucius formulated an extremely influential and far-reaching ethical system emphasizing devotion to parents, family, and friends; cultivation of the mind, self-control, and just social activity. In this excellent biography, a noted Japanese scholar develops an insightful portrait of Confucius against the social and political background of his day, based on a meticulous and detailed examination of early original sources. Following an extensive introductory section devoted to the state of China in the sixth and fifth centuries b.c., the author offers succinct, perceptive discussions of Confucius' birth, education, and upbringing; his attitudes toward his predecessors, and views on man as a social being; Confucius as a statesman, the concept of "government by virtue," the failure of the Confucian revolution, the years of wandering, and more. Concise, carefully researched and well-written, this volume offers an excellent introduction to the life and thought of one of history's most influential thinkers--a book sure to appeal to anyone interested in the philosophical, political, and religious movements of the ancient Far East. Unabridged republication of the work published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., London and The Macmillan Company, New York, 1956. Translated by Geoffrey Bownas. General Introduction. Translator's Note. Appendices. Index. 1 black-and-white illustration. 2 maps.
... Read more

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Two thousand and five hundred years ago, a Chinese scholar known throughout the world as "Confucius," spent a lifetime wandering and spreading words of wisdom amongst all he met. He was not just a legend, he was a real man. He was K'ung Fu-tsze of Lu, a state in eastern China. He was a husband, a father, a Minister of Justice, a devoted teacher, and a loyal friend. He was a man who spoke up to the monarchy, who fled from enemies, who sought tenderness for the elderly and the orphans, and who at times, also cried. His life's mission was not merely to disseminate brief aphorisms. It was to teach others to develop their character gradually, carefully, and solidly. He taught people to uphold that character at all times and during all situations, and to strengthen their committment to what was right. He strove to assist people in cultivating the inner fortitude to live as honorable, devoted, respectful, sincere, honest, knowledgeable, humble, careful, intelligent, concerned, compassionate, fair, and wise human beings, at all times and in all situations.He sought to awaken human consciousness to recognize that the ability to enact change and to make ours a more just and kind world lay not within an external deity, but within the will of each human being. K'ung Fu-tsze strove to inspire people that each individual must live a lifetime of sincerity, concern, and respect for all others in order for society to sustain itself. K'ung Fu-tsze was not just advising people on how to act during specific situations. He was advising them on how to act for a lifetime. I hope that by making this illustrated version of the Analects, I will have helped you to gain as much from the wisdom of the K'ung Fu-tsze as I have. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Still a classic!
It is unfortunate that this fine book is out of print.Originally published under the title, _Confucius, the Man and the Myth_, this is a thoughtful study (by one of the leading Sinologists of this century) of Confucius, his era, and the contemporary relevance of his thought.

Any book this old (the original version was published in the 40's, I think) is a little out of date.And Creel sometimes succumbs to the temptation to read Confucius as a proto-Deweyan pragmatist-democrat.But Creel still has many insights into the teachings of "the Master," and gives an engaging (if speculative) portrait of his life.This is still the best book-length secondary study of Confucius I know of in English.

This book may sometimes be found at used book stores, and I sometimes see copies available second-hand on zShops.Snap it up if you are interested in Confucius! ... Read more

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This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR’d book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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This comprehensive introduction explores the life and teachings of Confucius, and development of Confucian thought, from ancient times to the present today.

• Demonstrates the wisdom and enduring relevance of Confucius’s teachings – drawing parallels between our 21^st century society and that of China 2,500 years ago, where government corruption, along with social, economic, and technical changes, led thinkers to examine human nature and society
• Draws on the latest research and incorporates interpretations of Confucius and his works by Chinese and Western scholars throughout the centuries
• Explores how Confucius's followers expanded and reinterpreted his ideas after his death, and how this process has continued throughout Chinese history
• Seamlessly links Confucius with our modern age, revealing how his teachings have  become the basis of East Asian culture and influenced the West

Product Description
A fascinating look at the founders of the world's main religions. The major religious traditions of the world owe their existence to the vision of an ancient founder. This important volume explores the lives of the five founders of major world religions-Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, and Muhammad-chronicling what is actually known of these charismatic men and introducing readers to the cultural and religious worlds that heard their messages. Readers in predominantly Christian lands, in addition to learning about the lives of Confucius, Buddha, and Muhammad- whom they might not be familiar with- will also be introduced to modern research now casting fresh light on the careers of Moses and Jesus. Whether studied individually or in comparison with one another, these biographies, together with a chapter on the characteristics of religious leadership, chart the spiritual rivers that continue to feed the diversity of religious expression today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent (and Much Needed Just Now)
There has never been a time when interreligious understanding was more needed.And I don't have in mind only the atrocities committed at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center and what seems to be, as I write, an impending war.It's trite to say, but true, that the vast geographical distances that once separated the great religions from one another have vanished, both figuratively in the sense that modern transportation and communication technologies have rendered them insignificant and literally in the sense that, given modern immigration patterns, Hindus and Muslims and Buddhists and Confucianists and Sikhs are very likely to be living in the same neighborhoods with Jews and Christians.It is imperative that we learn to understand one another better.

This book is an important step in that direction.By presenting academically serious, reliable, but still sympathetic portraits of the five great religious founders, it provides a basis for genuine dialogue between the faiths.It is an excellent book.The authors are first-rate, and the writing is generally clear and occasionally even quite good.

I wish it weren't so expensive, but I hope that it will nonetheless have a large readership.I recommend it enthusiastically.

An excellent contemporary review
Contributions from the best contemporary thinkers provide explorations of the lives and beliefs of the five founders of major world religions: Moses, Buddha, Confucius, Jesus and Muhammad. These essays provide new insights into the careers of these individuals, blending biography with spiritual insights. An excellent contemporary review. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is a part of a broad study about Confucianismand its implications for modernization of the Confucian regions(covering Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, SouthKorea, North Korea, Vietnam and Singapore).The purpose of this bookis to compare the ethical, social and economic principles advocated byAdam Smith and Confucius.Adam Smith is the most influential thinkerin developed economies in modern times.Confucius was the mostinfluential thinker in the Confucian regions (except Singapore) beforethe West became influential in these regions.It is important to notethat among the Confucian regions only Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew hasexplicitly admired Confucius after the Second World War.The bookshows that it is important to compare the two great thinkers in orderto understand whether or not Westernization of the Confucian regionsis sustainable and whether or not there will be "clashes ofcivilizations" between the Confucian regions and the West.The readermay also see how China has made fun of Confucius in the last onehundred fifty years and why the world has made fun of China during thesame period of time. ... Read more

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Traces the life of Confucius and discusses the history and culture of ancient China. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Note imperfections
Paragraphs underlined. Many, many many indications and chicken scratch around the page borders.Many pages with blackened smudges, some with only 60% of the words readable.Looks like a well used students book that was retrieved from the trash then copied. The three stars are because I haven't read this book yet.Not worth the $24.
P.S.-- after some reading this is an interesting book and worth getting if you absolutely need another book on the subject.Criticisms above still apply but the book is a good read. ... Read more