The Complete I Ching ― 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Translation by Taoist Master Alfred Huang

Many years ago, having been attracted to the I Ching through the Wilhelm translation with a bit of Blofeld thrown in, I had a chance to do a semester tutorial in the first two hexagrams, reading the original under a Chinese scholar of classical Chinese. It was quite wrenching to realize that my "understanding" of the work had been entirely colored by Western thought and cultural concerns. Wilhelm sticks very closely to the original, including the many layers of commentary, but he makes it easy to read our own cultural meaning into it. For example, calling the first hexagram, "The Creative," can make it seem like some sort of Platonist or neo-Platonist, mystical Form, principle or archetype, but it sounds quite a lot more practical, descriptive, and straightforward with a Chinese explanation. There is still a lot of complexity and depth, but it isn't like what one finds in Western philosophy, psychology or metaphysics. Huang warns against this problem in his introduction, describing his own dissatisfaction with previous translations, and his explanations of the hexagrams sound very much like those of my former professor in their character. It's a Chinese book that's not that easy to understand without help, and unless one has grown up in a traditional Chinese culture, it's extremely useful to have it explained by someone who has received a traditional grounding in it. Huang's explanations of the challenges in approaching the original without this help, even for educated Chinese people in a Chinese culture that still reveres the I Ching, match my own experience in this and other Eastern traditions.Huang helps us get past inadvertently Westernizing our understanding of the work extremely well, and he does it by interspersing his explanations with the text. You can tell easily enough what is the original and what is Huang's commentary, but that means that it's not a "pure" translation like Wilhelm, where apart from the introductory materials, footnotes and so on, you see only the translated original. That makes this version very useful in divination, since everything for the hexagram is in one place and Huang's comments are very helpful in relating the text to your specific inquiry, but if you want only the "real" I Ching and no modern interpretation, then this isn't the version for you. For that, Wilhelm is still the gold standard.

I just started using this, after spending a lot of time first with Wilhelm and then also with the big red Ritsema/Sabbadini/Eranos I Ching. Huang is a really welcome addition, giving historical background on some of the lines and hexagrams that is missing from the other two translations, and also a clear, well-thought-out translation. I find I'm using all 3 versions at once: Wilhelm for its smooth, familiar prose; Huang for its attention to accuracy, and explanations of historical references in the readings; and Ritsema/Sabbadini for a sense of the alternate meanings of a given character.The Kindle version has a good Table of Contents and deals well with Chinese characters. I'm using an ipad.Recommended.

I'm giving this four stars because it is obviously a masterful work and I would not want in any way to denigrate it. For my personal value it was a three and I returned it. This is my completely subjective opinion, from a brief trial reading the book. It's a comparative view between this and the Wilhelm & Baynes edition and the R.L. Wing edition, and others may have taken more time and come to a different view.This edition seems comparable to an expansion of the Commentary in the back of the Wilhelm & Baynes edition, with more detailed and annotated explanations about the relationships of the lines. It's like it says, "This is the situation, here are the elements and how they relate to each other." However, it doesn't draw a moral, tell a story, come to a conclusion, or provide much direction compared to the Wilhelm & Baynes edition.So, something about different modes of thought? Like, here's the ideogram, here are the relationships, so, given general knowledge of the workings of society at large, the story of action here is obvious. Versus here's the noun, here's the verb, in this particular situation, here's the story. I have no idea (or ideograms).The R.L. Wing edition, on the other hand, is much more contemporary in its language, and much more moralizing and prescriptive than the Wilhelm & Baynes edition.It may be worth noting that R.L. Wing is a pseudonym. If you look at the front matter on the original 1970'ish Doubleday edition, it lists about a dozen people in the acknowledgements. In the latest edition is just says "many people contributed; you know who you are."My spouse reads the R.L. Wing edition; I read Wilhelm & Baynes, and we both interpret each others casts. I find that the R.L. Wing edition pretty much follows the thought of the Wilhelm & Baynes edition. One thing that the R.L. Wing edition does is provide three different contexts for each hexagram: social/civic, business, and interpersonal relationship. Over time I've come to accept the R.L. Wing edition as valid and useful. However, the Wilhelm & Baynes edition for me strikes the right balance between situation/implication/image/metaphor and overt direction.I would really like to know how the R.L. Wing edition was synthesized. I'm thinking houseboats in Sausalito harbor, with Alan Watts and Steward Brand drifting in and out like the fog and smoke. Not to say that there isn't a full on scholarly effort there.For the book in review here, I guess it would be valuable for people who wanted more of the pure situation/implication approach, as well as detailed insight into the amazing inner workings and movements of the lines.

This is my first I Ching and after doing some research, I believe this to be the most authentic translation. The introduction and guide on how to consult and read the I Ching makes this a perfect edition for beginners also. I performed my fist oracle a few days ago and still cannot believe how accurate the reading of my situation was - lost for words.Take your time with it. Learn it's history. And then consult it like the wisest force in the universe.

An important book. I've been interested in the I Ching for quite some time, but most books on the subject give very limited access to the contents. This book not only offers accessible translations, but also makes my other translations much more useful, by giving a coherent account of how the history and culture surrounding the I Ching relate to human life. Mr Huang's other books on the subject are also highly recommended.

Oh yes.If you want to find out about the I Ching - get this one. Over the years I have read several books about Chinese Literature. It is all very inscrutable. This bloke, a Headmaster of a Christian School who got flung in jail by the modernising Mao for twenty years, really knows his stuff. He also knows how to face up to translation. And he has lived the I Ching in the Tao too.Get it immediately and then read it very very slowly like sucking a sweet.

This is a nicely structured book. The detailed translation is easily understood with the author showing his in-depth knowledge of the subject. The authentic red Chinese symbols throughout the book add a nice contrast to the modern text. I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to discover the true I Ching.

Extremely erudite, very approachable, my goodness! Such a book to treasure, a work of huge scholarship. Essential

I have versions by Wilhelm, Brian walker and Carol Anthony and this is by far the best. I have the kindle version so can refer to it anywhere at any time, using the kindle app on both iPhone and iPad. Very clear, very detailed and feels true to source. Recommended.

This is the best, most comprehensive translation of the I Ching. I’ve read several Western translations of the Book of Changes before and none of them come close to this one. If you only have one translation it should be this one.

An excellent and newer translation of the I Ching by a Chinese Master.Fills in more of the background and detail of the hexagrams and givesperhaps a clearer and deeper understanding of their structure.Highly recommended.

Amazing book, awesome translation, a lot of informations never found before anywhere else, it definitely brings new light and comprehension to the I Ching. I only have one complaint, for the Kindle edition, all the images are really too small and in light grey, it makes very difficult to see them, and there's no way to enlarge them. On my Ipad though it's ok.

Lovely book. Very well written / translated and explained. Good quality too

Bought for my sister during lockdown, she loves it. But you need to buy the IChing coins to use the book. Arrived before estimating slot so bonus.

Excellent

very happy with this book it covers a lot of aspects, good value and service.

I wanted this book for long time. Very happy with purchase

Arrived on time. Book as described. Would order from seller again. It is informative knowledge for longer study. Good translation.