The Te of Piglet

Hoff continues tying the world of A.A. Milne to Lao Tzu in this sequel, pointing out that Taoism defended the underdog in Chinese society, and this along with the component of virtue embodied in the middle character “Te” in “Tao Te Ching” align most closely to Pooh’s frightened little buddy Piglet.

Not only is the analogy less applicable, but Hoff pontificates quite a bit in the book, making it a much less enjoyable read. Examples abound. In “The Eeyore Effect” chapter, he calls out the news media, critics, public education, and feminists in what goes from examples of pessimism to an opinionated rant, which is counter to the philosophy he so adores. He continues this in “Things as They Might Be”, complaining about show more technology, materialism, and the state of politics, e.g. “For nearly thirty years now, the nation that was once the Light of the Free World has been electing to the highest office in the land a succession of Nightmare Clowns who lead us deeper and deeper into darkness…”. Ugh. And it continues from there. Do you see any of this kind of thing in Lao-Tzu or Chuang-Tzu’s teachings? No.

Just a couple of quotes:
On pessimism:
“Eeyores are afraid – afraid to risk positive emotional expression, positive action, positive involvement in anything beyond Ego. … Unfortunately for those around them, complaining is the one thing that Eeyores are not afraid to do. They grudgingly carry their thimbles to the Fountain of Life, then mumble and grumble that they weren’t given enough.”

On Taoism:
“Its key principles are Natural Simplicity, Effortless Action, Spontaneity, and Compassion. The most easily noticed difference between Confucianism and Taoism is emotional, a difference in feeling: Confucianism is stern, regimented, patriarchal, often severe; Taoism is happy, gentle, childlike, and serene – like its favorite symbol, that of flowing water.” show less

Again I find myself reviewing a book I didn't like because for some reason I find it easier to say why I didn't like something, than what I enjoy about a book.

As other reviewers have said don't bother with this book, read the Tao of Pooh. And avoid it like the plague if you have read the Tao of Pooh as it will retrospectively dim your enjoyment of that book.

As to why this book is so bad. For one thing it feels heavy, world weary & cynical to me, more like the Te of Eeyore than the Te of Piglet. I don't know if this was a contractual obligation book, but that is what it feels like to me. I can almost feel the author's resentment at having to write it curl off the pages.

And then there are the rather random rants against the many and show more varied targets of the authors ire, which are rather out of place, diminish my opinion of the author and again enhance my feeling that this is a contractual obligation book.

In short do your Karma (and dogma (and catma)) a favour and stick to the Tao of Pooh. show less

I really enjoyed the Tao of Pooh. It was warm and funny but this did not live up to that book. It wasn't a bad book, rather like Pooh and Piglet - Pooh has always been the star and Piglet has been a secondary character.

From the outset [a: Benjamin Hoff|27397|Benjamin Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1472629940p2/27397.jpg] makes it clear that this is not so much a sequel to [b: The Tao of Pooh|48757|The Tao of Pooh|Benjamin Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348137748s/48757.jpg|55188] as it is a companion book to the first. What this means, essentially, is that this exists to further expound upon the contents of [b: The Tao of Pooh|48757|The Tao of Pooh|Benjamin Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348137748s/48757.jpg|55188] rather than complement them exactly. The result of which is a book that goes much more in depth than [b: The Tao of Pooh|48757|The Tao of Pooh|Benjamin show more Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348137748s/48757.jpg|55188] and comes across as considerably less charming than the first. It is what it is.

I first heard about this book from a friend's mom, a former teacher of Buddhism, and she was considerably fond of it. I read it only cautiously, having been a great fan of the first book, but ultimately did not find myself disappointed. Yes, it is more complicated than [b: The Tao of Pooh|48757|The Tao of Pooh|Benjamin Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348137748s/48757.jpg|55188] and with less charming interjections from the characters and examples. It falls into ranting now and again rather than explaining plainly, but ultimately it is informative. It gives one things to think on, contains a lot of rather beautiful Taoist translations, and altogether is entertaining. That's all I truly ask for from most books.

I would caution people about this book, and explain what it is prior to them reading it. Do not go in expecting the same experience [b: The Tao of Pooh|48757|The Tao of Pooh|Benjamin Hoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348137748s/48757.jpg|55188] offered, but go in with an open heart and mind. I'm hovering between a 2 and 3 star rating. I did enjoy the book, but it still left me feeling more empty than perhaps I would like. It didn't have the charm of the first book, and at times was more muddled than helpful. I liked the message, but I liked reading through the Book of Changes more than this.

Perhaps it will be stronger upon a reread? show less

Meditative and meandering, The Te of Piglet accomplishes it's intention of delivering an accessible introduction to Taoist ideas and traditions as compliments it's predecessor, The Tao of Pooh.

Hardly a page-turner, Hoff's approach is a calm one, for the most part. The work is peppered with excepts from texts ranging thousands of years of literary and philosophical works. The tone does, at times, make this a slower read, but this is easily forgivable given the author's obvious intention.

Summary: Using the characters from Winnie the Pooh (whom I love) the author reveals Taoist wisdom. This book is filled with well written truths that coincide with what I know to be true principles and it is presented in a truly unique way. I must say that I disagree with the author on religion and government issues, but how I would love to sit down and have a good talk with this fascinating author.
Quote: Speaking of Gandhi (who I love) "He ...changed human beings by regarding them not as what they thought they were but as though they were what they wished to be, and as though the good in them was all of them."

Hoff's ability to recreate the voices of Pooh and his friends has worsened in this companion novel, but the core content of philosophy remains about as good as the other one. There are one or two rants about politically charged things that may or may not hold up, and it's not inappropriate given the context, but it might dissuade some readers.