Robert O. Ballou (1892–1977)

This collection dates back to 1939, and it shows. I’d say it’s mainly interesting as a period piece. The translations are often stuffy and silly at the same time, especially in the short section called “The Moslem.” Consider this excerpt from the Koran:

For when there shall be a trump on the trumpet,
That then shall be a distressful day,
A day, to the believers, devoid of ease.

See what I mean? It’s like poetry for the brain-damaged. That's because the editor, Mr. Ballou, chose the show more atrocious Rodwell translation from 1876. Even back in 1939 he could have chosen Pickthall, from 1930. Now, of course, there are at least a dozen much better English translations to select from — if anyone at Viking Penguin could be bothered to update this turkey.

Just one more and I’ll let you go. This is supposed to be from Rumi. It’s a fine story (naturally, considering who wrote it) but the self-consciously “Oriental” translation reads like a parody:

A Governor Orders a Man to Dig Up from the Road a Bramble-Bush Which He Has Planted

A certain unfeeling person of pleasant speech planted a bramble-bush in the middle of the road. The passers-by reproached him, and repeatedly told him to dig it up; but he did not do so....

The governor said to him one day, “O promise-breaker, come forward in my business; do not creep back.” He rejoined, “O uncle, the days are between us.”...

You get the idea.

Viking-Penguin has certainly gotten a lot of mileage out of this collection. Every few years they reissue it with a new cover. If you ask me, it’s long past time to put it to rest. show less

Interesting to dip into if you're looking for an abridged version of a great religious work. Another reviewer cites a bad translation of the Qurran, which is probably the case. The quotes from the Bible use the King James version, which is also in many ways not a good translation, but at least it reads well--at least the famous parts we know by heart read well. Not sure why "Judeo-Christian" is combined; it hardly seems fair to Judaism.

examination of Shinto with emphasis on racial superiority and Emperor cult

Book Description: Viking Press NY Oct 1956. PB 6th pr Rubs on spine, text slightly yellowing, else tight clean very good copy