"Deng ( 365 Tao: Daily Meditations ) says that we need stories to help us "make sense of who we are and how we got here." In this delightful little book, Deng shares 144 ancient tales that are at times folkloric, others more comedic or tragic or paradoxical, and some just plain ribald. Tao, the author explains, is just someone on a journey as they seek to align themselves with universal truths. And as that journey does not end, there is no end of engaging the wisdom of Tao. Furthermore, despite our uniqueness, we face many of the same choices as others living millennia ago. The advice contained here is simply presented: carry only what you need for the journey, literally and metaphorically. Sayings such as, 'Everyone knows the usefulness of being useful. No one knows the usefulness of being useless," encourage moments of reflection on surprisingly relevant truths.

VERDICT Quiet wisdom of the best kind.' -- Library Journal , Sandra Collins, Byzantine Catholic Seminary Lib., Pittsburgh.