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Title: I Ching: The Book of Change by Thomas Cleary ISBN: 0-87773-661-8 Publisher: Shambhala Publications Pub. Date: 01 February, 1992 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $6.95

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Average Customer Rating: 3.2 (5 reviews)

Rating: 2
Summary: Cleary misses the point.
Comment: Cleary might be a brilliant translator and there's no doubt he's made a great contribution to the West by translating Eastern texts. However, particularly with this book, it seems that Mr. Cleary focuses on literal translations, word for word, and totally misses the meaning. You can't translate works from another time and another place word for word. The cultural idioms, etc don't make any sense. IF you are a student of the I Ching and you already understand the hexagrams, this is a neat little pocket guide to carry along with you. But to someone with no experience, this book is an utter waste of time. It won't make sense unless you have a thorough understanding of Chinese culture and language at the time it was written.

Personally, I like literal translations because I don't want translators bringing to much of themselves into the interpretation. But in this case, Cleary is far too literal to the point where the meaning of the hexagrams is almost entirely lost in many cases. Comparing this translation to some of the others is like comparing the reading of a list of ingredients versus sitting down and eating the meal. Sorry, but they just aren't the same thing.

If you want to learn about the I Ching, don't let this be your first version. I consider Cleary's version to be like the cheap ballpoint pen I carry in my car. It's there in case I need it, but I certainly wouldn't want to rely on it for writing a novel.

Rating: 2
Summary: Very difficult to decipher
Comment: I found this (and most translations of the I Ching) to be as clear as mud. Often, we may be blessed with a translator who understands the language he is translating well but who has a poor grasp of natural sounding English. Example: Hexagram 41 states: "if given ten pairs of tortoises, no one is able to oppose". What does that mean? The footnotes state that ten tortoises refers to rich resources. Then why not just say something along those lines since few Westerners will understand that tortoises are highly valued in the East for their shells and for breeding. Here in the USA, they are merely exotic, awkward creatures. Also, Cleary names that Hexagram "reduction" when a better word would have been "decrease" or "waning". Reduction suggests miniaturization which is not what the hexagram means. This translation suggests a weakness in rendering into the English language as it is currently used. After examining most of the translations out there, I think that Walker's version is the clearest and most direct. His version also reads beautifully as a philosophical text.

Rating: 4
Summary: a very AUSPICIOUS work
Comment: If you don't know what the word AUSPICIOUS means, then you better go find out because this book uses that word A LOT. As for the translation, it's adequate, but I've heard of better translations. The book's a tad bit smaller than a 3 x 5 card, which makes this a TRUE pocketbook. Also, Mr. Cleary mentions how you consult the I Ching based on how you perceive the situation. "Oh, I feel like this situation is a Wind over Fire situation." That'll refer you to hexagram 37--People in the Home. This book beats you over the head how it is AUSPICIOUS to "see great people" and "cross great rivers." It will also tell you if some situations are good luck or bad luck. Overall, this is a pretty decent book of wisdom (I like how your mood depends on what hexagram you get), but I don't think it can compare to the Book of Proverbs which is more to the point. Anyway, give this book a try as there is some good stuff in it.

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