The I Ching A biography

Smith (Rice Univ.), whose work includes Fathoming the Cosmos and Ordering the World: The Yijing (I-Ching, or Classic of Changes) and Its Evolution in China (CH, Apr'09, 46-4273), is an internationally known expert on the Classic of Changes, so it comes as no surprise that the editors of the "Lives of Great Religious Books" series in which this title appears would tag him to write a "biography" of ancient China's most influential divination text. Smith focuses on the origins, evolution, and interpretation of the Yijing text and the scope of its tremendous influence in China, East Asia, and the rest of the world. For more than two thousand years, the Changes has served as one of the primary classics in the Confucian canon, and over time it has had a profound influence on almost every aspect of life and culture in East Asia. In recent centuries, it has been translated into numerous languages and thus read and studied throughout the world. Smith's book succeeds admirably in making the history and importance of this esoteric and enigmatic classic accessible and understandable to a wide audience. A must read for anyone interested in fathoming "the Way" (Tao/Dao) in ancient China. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; general readers. J. M. Hargett SUNY at Albany

Smith (humanities, Rice Univ.; Fathoming the Cosmos and Ordering the World) adds a welcome volume to Princeton's ambitious series. Most writing on the hexagrams of the I Ching, however well intentioned, is either too abstruse or too enthusiastic for the Western or nonexpert reader. Smith approaches the I Ching from the perspective of its history, development, and interpretation, creating perhaps the most interesting book in English about this Chinese classic. VERDICT Essential for academic libraries, this also makes a first-rate introduction to Chinese spirituality for nonacademic readers. (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.