Thomas Cleary (1949–2021)

I came into this book thinking it was going to be entirely about military battle tactics, such as, attacking from the high ground and things like that. While that was part of it, I was surprised at how much of the book was philosophical and even anti-violence. Maybe it was just me, but I didn't expect a book called The Art of War to preach against violence every chance it had. The philosophical aspect was the most interesting to me. There were plenty of things that you can apply to every day show more life as odd as it might sound. This translation also has input from historical figures such as Cao Cao, who I and some others may know from the video game series Dynasty Warriors which I thought added a very interesting aspect to the book. I am not sure if that can be said of other translations and versions of this book since this is the only one I've read. I usually feel like I don't have much to add with reviews that hasn't been already said plenty of times, but if anyone, like me, goes into this or is thinking about reading it and is expecting just straight military fighting strategy, know that there is much more to it than just that. show less

Elusive and enigmatic, zen koans have long puzzled people with their surprise meanings hidden in simple tales. Now one of America's finest translators of Asian philosophy provides a brillian new translation of the 12th century Wumenguan, the most popular of Chinese Zen koans. In Unlocking the Zen Koan (originally published as No Boundary), Thomas Cleary translates directly from the Chinese and interprets Zen Master Wumen's text and commentaries in verse and prose on the inner meaning of the show more koans. Cleary then gives us other great Chinese Zen masters' comments in prose or verse on the same koan. Cleary's probing, analytic commentaries wrestle with meaning and shading, explaining principles and practices. Five different steps to follow in reading the koan being with its use as a single abrupt perception, and lead progressively to more intellectual readings, illustrating the fixations which stand in the way of a true Zen understanding. show less

With the caveat that I did not finish this book, it was impressive, insightful, and far-reaching. The authors go very in-depth into the character and religious practices of several living goddesses to take a whack at characterizing the face of goddess worship as a whole in the modern world.

I liked everything I read, but read only about a third of it after a month of occasionally picking it up. The book is dense and academic; I saw no glaring flaws in their academic rigor but simply did not show more have the time or mental processing energy to keep reading. Like many multi-topic religious studies, this would probably serve best a reader willing to skip to sections about particular topics rather than try to go cover to cover. show less

A nice short translation, easy to carry around in your pocket if you are so inclined. But its brevity can also be a flaw. Without any commentary, the abstract symbolism is sometimes lost, as well as any understanding of what the symbols might have meant 3000 years ago when the I Ching was first written.