"Fischer does an excellent job communicating what he views as the main theme of each chapter in an accessible and organized way, providing a blueprint from which one could construct a regular class discussion or settle down with a dedicated reading group. Readers will appreciate the insights Fischer's annotations offer, especially when keeping in mind that such thoughtful considerations are the work of a modern commentator and his interpretation of a long ongoing tradition of indigenous discourse engaging with this text. The result is an accessible, well-organized, and inviting take on this well-known classic." -- Chinese Literature: Essays, Articles, Reviews "Fischer provides a new and different translation of Laozi's Daodejing Fischer's translation makes the text intelligible to those formed by contemporary liberalism; it thus provides an alternative to more historically oriented translations." -- CHOICE "Fischer's careful and creative translation offers a very accessible introduction to the received Laozi . While aimed at students and general readers with little or no background in Chinese language or history, the book also provides sufficient context for seasoned sinologists to grapple with, without getting bogged down too much in philological issues or speculative history. The focus on non-supernaturalistic religion, an ethics of non-contentiousness, and a philosophy rooted in fallibilism is a refreshing way to be re-presenting the Laozi to a contemporary audience." -- Joseph E.

Harroff, American University.