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The Tao Te Ching  By  cover art

The Tao Te Ching

By: Man Ho Kwok, Jay Ramsay, Martin Palmer
Narrated by: Sir Nigel Hawthorne
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Publisher's summary

Sir Nigel Hawthorne's inspiring reading brings to life this new translation of Lao Tzu's 2,500 year old Chinese classic. Probably the most influential spiritual book in human history, the Tao Te Ching translates as The Classic of The Tao and Its Power.

In 80 short chapters, it reveals a profound view of the Tao, a unique and satisfying way of life and nature. This revered collection of wise sayings and commentaries is a complete guide to living the sagely life and finding a calm and tranquil center in the midst of the chaos and stress of 21st-century life.

©2008 Man Ho Kwok, Jay Ramsay, Martin Palmer (P)2008 Mark Forstater

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What listeners say about The Tao Te Ching

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A true classic interpreted quite well.

Probably the best version out there. Top shelf. No wasted words here. Definitely start here.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of my favorite translations

I find this translation clear of the most Nigel Hawthorn's narration adds to the charm of the translation.

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2 people found this helpful

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complexly simple

every time it's different, something new emerges.
fifteen words? there are too many words, sometimes it's better to be silent.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Could not get over narrator

Unfortunately, I could not get over the narrator. He drops his voice at the end of the sentence sometimes to the point of not hearing clearly. I listen to books often while driving or doing other things, so here I would have had to adjust the volume constantly. It made it difficult to listen for me I did not appreciate the narrators tone - this might be all me so I can’t really speak to the story. Sorry but this one is going back.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

this is very DEEP

is not the kind of material you listen once and are done. loved this performance.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent review of basic Tao precepts

Mr Hawthorn preformed brilliantly in conveying the illusory theme of the Tao Te Ching in an understandable fashion .

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable listening

many thought provoking messages. some questionable quotes. some ideas I agreed with some I didn't.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A+ Experience

An incredible narrator doing justice to an incredible, yet concise work of wisdom. Good, practical advice.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Narration Is a problem

The narrator could not maintain an even volume when speaking making it difficult to hear with the smallest noises around me. The narrator also sped up and slowed down randomly making it hard to follow along in some parts. The content itself is great though I need to get a copy with a different narrator.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Pompous narration combined with too-witty ideas

If this had not been only an hour long, I would have given up at the end of chapter two with the quote (paraphrasing) "by winning you lose and only by losing do you win". The whole thing reeks of condescension. The narration feels like a holier than thou person looking down at a mere mortal and speaking in pseudo-intellectual paradoxes. Also: the musical interludes in between spoken words were much too loud and the narration goes way too soft at times. Hard to listen to.

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