The Book of Chuang Tzu

A masterpiece of ancient Chinese philosophy, second in influence only to the Tao Te Ching One of the founders of Taoism, Chuang Tzu was firmly opposed to Confucian values of order, control, and hierarchy, believing the perfect state to be one where primal, innate nature rules. Full of profundity as well as tricks, knaves, sages, jokers, unbelievably named people, and uptight Confucians, The Book of Chuang Tzuperceives the Tao—the Way of Nature—not as a term to be explained but as a path to walk. Radical and subversive, employing wit, humor, and shock tactics, The Book of Chuang Tzuoffers an intriguing look deep into Chinese culture.

Chuang Tzu lived in the fourth century BC.
Martin Palmer is director of the International Consultancy on Religion, Education, and Culture and a translator of many Chinese classics and folktales.