The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine

I realize enthusiasm among reviewers for this text varies greatly. In the absence of identifying specific flaws, what we write may say more about us at the moment of our reading, than it says the about the text. However, I am personally skeptical about any review written by someone who did not bother to complete the book!!! I had the first edition and admit I did not finish it. That was nearly 2 decades ago. I am not sure whether it was too far a stretch from my western graduate school and medical school education...or that I was just too busy to devote sufficient time and attention combined with an open mind. I now have the 2000 edition. I intentionally approached this time with an open and curious mind -- looking for the bridges between eastern and western concepts of health and illness. Instead of rushing through to condense it into logical, highlighted memory bites, I simply let it wash over me. And during this time I attempted to let my western concepts of how the body works float in a suspended state to be retrieved and integrated at a later time. I found that it provides a detailed but very readable "sky-view" of oriental medicine. It is not intended to provide specific treatment or diagnostic recommendations for an individual patient. Rather it builds the concepts upon which these later efforts can be refined. When you can see the bird's eye view of the terrain from above, its easier to see how cities, trees and rivers relate to each other and then draw your own map. Reading from this perspective I truly enjoyed the book, its artistry and the holistic, natural metaphors connecting the microcosm of the body with the greater world and universe in which we exist. Refreshing!!! I found it to be a wonderful invitation into the world of eastern medicine, whetting a respectful longing to learn more. I'm probably glad I lost the first edition and started over with the newer one.

About halfway through – really good book. Although it is a great overview for someone who isn’t familiar with TCM, it is still a heavy read. If you’re not already familiar with Chinese medicine somewhat, you may have to do a little extra searching here and there to make sure you understand what you’re reading. But I’m not so sure TCM is something that has a simple version, if it does tho this is probably it. Worth reading even if you have no interest in pursuing TCM, shows a whole other world of medical thinking

As an RN retired, wish I had read this book before training; would have chosen Eastern Medicine. They treat the root cause instead of pushing pills. (Today's doctors, I believe, tell us to take aspirin because our body is lacking it. Eastern medicine has ways to determine if from stress, anger or other reasons.

I just started Massage Therapy school, this book was on a recommended reading list. So far has been very invaluable . Great addition to my holistic health collection of books.

Excelente libro.

Chinese medicine is a complex subject which presents you not only with the patterns of disharmonies to learn but also with the patterns of confusion to find yourself in. This book takes a different angle at the subject. I read close to a dozen so far and found it to be a valuable link in clarifying certain concepts. There are other books which are more concrete and clear-cut, however, I found this book to elaborate on certain topics (like Qi, Essence, etc.) in a much more comprehensive manner. It also gives you great critique on different theories (such as 5 Phase theory) that I wasn't able to find in other sources. The language is not your everyday English, it took me lots of trips to the dictionary, as a foreigner, however for an intelligent reader it should not pause a problem. Quite recommend for someone who wants to dig deeper or finds too much confusion in other sources.

Excellent

The author does a great jobs displaying fact from studies with personal insight, for both Chinese and western medicine.

Chinese people perceive the world and think differently. I worked there for 6 years. Their medicine works - from personal experience. This book explains how Chinese understand the world as a whole, interconnecting entity - not separate parts, and treat patients accordingly. Chinese are aware of our inner energies, such as our Chi, and listen to them for diagnosis and treatment.

Frequento la scuola di shiatsu e questo libro è utilissimo per approfondire le mie conoscenze. Ottimo libro e facilmente comprensibile.

MUST READ this universal master piece for fundamental understanding of TCM! highly recommend!

Very interesting for the open minded people interested in TCM

This was purchased as a gift, the title was by request. The recipient was thrilled.