Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Tao of Pooh

3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 · rating details · 38,640 ratings · 1,610 reviews

"Thought-provoking and charming." -Library Journal

Not all Great Masters of Wisdom are venerable graybeards. One is as familiar to us as that beloved teddy bear Winnie the Pooh. From the "how" of Pooh to the Tao of Pooh is a simple, effortless, joyous step... a delicious journey to Pooh Corner illuminated by the timeless teachings of the Taoist immortals.

Hardcover, 176 pages

Published April 30th 1982 by Dutton Adult (first published 1982)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Shoplifting from American Apparel by Tao Lin

Best Books on Taoism

2nd out of 47 books — 27 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Apr 18, 2012 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy-religion, 2012

“Hello there! Aren’t you Winnie the Pooh? I’m a big fan.”

“Yes I am. How do you know me?” Asked Pooh.

“There have been many books written about you and your friends. The most recent one is about how you are a western Taoist.”

“Oh.”

“A western what?”

“Taoist” I said, “it’s very hard to explain, I’m no expert. In fact the whole book was about the author trying to explain it to you, and you would say “oh.”

“Oh.” Said Pooh.

“From what I understand you are an un-carved block.”

“Oh” said Pooh.

“An un-carved wh...more

38 likes · like · see review

May 02, 2007 ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: someone interested in taoism

Shelves: philosophy-religion

I was sitting in a coffee shop recently with a young woman who described herself as a Taoist Pagan Pantheist. My first thought was, "what the heck is that?" Luckily what came out of my mouth was slightly more tactful, "describe that for me, I've never met someone who described herself that way" (Translation: what the heck is that!).

After we talked for a while, she recommended I read this book. So here's my synopsis - pretty fascinating book, actually. I'm looking forward to getting together with...more I was sitting in a coffee shop recently with a young woman who described herself as a Taoist Pagan Pantheist. My first thought was, "what the heck is that?" Luckily what came out of my mouth was slightly more tactful, "describe that for me, I've never met someone who described herself that way" (Translation: what the heck is that!).

After we talked for a while, she recommended I read this book. So here's my synopsis - pretty fascinating book, actually. I'm looking forward to getting together with her again to discuss it.

The Tao of Pooh was a very enlightening book. Besides just giving a very simple and entertaining explanation of the essence of Taoism (through the eyes of that crazy little bear), this book challenged modernist assumptions on many levels and in some ways was very refreshing.

"From the Taoist point of view, while the scholarly intellect may be useful for analyzing certain things, deeper and broader matters are beyond its limited reach (24)...and one sometimes gets the impression that those intimidating words are there to keep us from understanding. That way the scholars can appear Superior, and will not likely be suspected of Not Knowing Something" (28).

"But sometimes the knowledge of the scholar is a bit hard to understand because it doesn't seem to match up with our own experience of things. In other words, Knowledge and Experience do not necessarily speak the same language. But isn't the knowledge that comes from experience more valuable than the knowledge that doesn't?" (28-9)

"Now, scholars can be very useful and necessary, in their own dull and unamusing way. They provide a lot of information. It's just that there is Something More, and that Something More is what life is really about" (31).

My only critique of the book is that it is purely theoretical. In some ways it does the very thing it critiques - only exists in the abstract area of the mind - there is nothing practical. It left me wondering what Taoism looks like in the life of a real person. What would it look like in my life? How does it transform my relationships? How does it connect me to something bigger than myself? How does it lead me to change the world? How does it encourage me to pour myself into community or the lives of other people? How does it help me change the shit of my life or heal my brokenness?

This is the first book I've read on Taoism and so I don't know whether there is something out there that addresses some of my questions or not. I don't know whether there is a more concrete story of the life of a Taoist or not (if someone knows of one, I'd love to read it - something similar to Blue Like Jazz?). In fact, this book leaves me wondering whether Taoism has anything to offer me other than some good, abstract ideas to think about. At the same time, I want to avoid being too critical and demanding of a book that isn't meant to be exhaustive about its subject.(less)

26 likes · like · see review

terry Hmmm. Doesn't the "scholar" analyze various systems that have been formulated by others as attempts to explain "Something More? " Doesn't she or he co...more
May 04, 2007 08:55am

Ƥαʋℓα Я ♏❥ "a Taoist Pagan Pantheist"! I think I've finally found the right description for my beliefs! Looking fwd to read the book...
Aug 04, 2012 06:57am

Erin Nutsugah It's interesting to me that you compared this to Blue Like Jazz - that and Tao of Pooh are two of my favorite books and I find them to have much in co...more
Sep 22, 2012 12:44pm

Jan 09, 2010 Keely rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, non-fiction, reviewed

Rewriting.

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 03, 2012 Scott Pilgrim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, favorites, must-read-2012, non-fiction

Find this review at Scott Reads It

Recipe for Tao of Pooh
1. 1 cup of Eastern Chinese philosophy
2. 2 cups of Winnie the Pooh
3. 3/4 quart of wisdom
4. 3 Handfuls of fabulous drawings by Ernest Shepard
5. The key to Happiness
Mix them all together and you have the Tao of Pooh.

The Tao of Pooh is a book that I loved whole heartily. Basically as the title suggest it's a allegorical interpetation of A.A. Milne's characters in the world of Daoism or Taoism. Inside this slender novel you will find some o...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 17, 2008 Weinz rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Some how when it comes from the guileless mouth of a tender hearted bear happiness and contentment in life seems so simple. Hoff does an amazing job of bringing his readers Eastern philosophy from the point of view of endearing characters that we've all grown up with. Its message of simplicity and peace was like a vacation for the soul. I recommend this one to anyone who needs a break from the every day grime we all have to deal with.

My only grief was the watered down version of the Eastern Rel...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 13, 2007 Naomi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who like bears and ancient eastern philosophy

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read, kept me entertained, and I feel like I actually grasped the general concepts of Taoism. That was accomplishing a lot because sometimes my borderline ADD brain can't focus on religion and philosophy books. It's not like I don't want to know. I do want to know. But it can't be helped what my brain does and does not respond to. Winnie the Pooh and funniness are two things my brain inevitably responds to. So intertwining those things with philosophy i...more

6 likes · like · see review

Aug 30, 2007 Clint rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: incredibly-fucking-awful

I don't know what to say about this book that won't offend someone. It's like those Simpsons philosphy books, of something some modern professor tries to write to appear both profound and eccentric, living up to that professor image. Oh god books like this make me want to kill myself out of the shame I feel at being from the same planet as these people.

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2008 Joe rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked up this book because it seemed so charming. The author took the stories and characters of A.A. Milne and juxtaposed them with the Taoist teachings of people such as Lao Tzu.

Pooh as western Taoist starts off interestingly enough but halfway through it I came to the realization that it was making me want to just read the actual Milne, who was frankly probably a genius writer. Those were great books with great characters, each with their own type of intelligence.

Then about two thirds thr...more I picked up this book because it seemed so charming. The author took the stories and characters of A.A. Milne and juxtaposed them with the Taoist teachings of people such as Lao Tzu.

Pooh as western Taoist starts off interestingly enough but halfway through it I came to the realization that it was making me want to just read the actual Milne, who was frankly probably a genius writer. Those were great books with great characters, each with their own type of intelligence.

Then about two thirds through the book, it just becomes insulting. The author is against pretty much anything useful. Rather than believing in the give and take of Ying and Yang (or any other name it may go under) he's against intellectuals who are secretly foolish for trying to figure anything about the world, against people who work hard and care about their jobs or contributions (again that's just foolish), people who enjoy sports or exercise...heck he's against leaving your house or caring about the rest of the world. I understand the idea behind the Busy Backson rant, but is there no middle ground at all?
The idea of the Indian American culture being superior to that of the almighty Puritans is used as an example, which could be built upon in several interesting ways, but instead the author chooses to illustrate how everything that came after was just silliness without supplying a single idea about how it could be done better...yet useful.

At one point he actually uses the example of (paraphrasing here) turning on the T.V. news to hear "`Thirty thousand people were killed today when five jumbo airliners collided over downtown Lose Angeles" *click* Stop worrying about everything and go about life. Listen to the birds chirp, they will tell you more about the world." ---wait, we shouldn't care about thirty thousand humans being killed in a horrific accident?

I am in no way an expert on Taoism, but unless everyone who IS finds that idea posing as a representation of their philosophy to be offensive, I want nothing to do with it. It isn't enlightened to go around hating everything while doing nothing. And I'm sure the author realizes this since he spends so much time writing best-selling books. (less)

7 likes · like · see review

Sep 10, 2008 Patrick rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Way that can be spoken of is not the one we tread.

These are Lao-Tse's opening words. The great mistake of course is that we do speak of it, and write of it, and attempt to pontificate upon the nature of all things as though an understanding of the Way entailed an understanding of all things. It is rather that an understanding of the Way encompasses all things. To understand, to judge, to see the faults in one and not the other is a common mistake in the interpretation of various Buddhist an...more The Way that can be spoken of is not the one we tread.

These are Lao-Tse's opening words. The great mistake of course is that we do speak of it, and write of it, and attempt to pontificate upon the nature of all things as though an understanding of the Way entailed an understanding of all things. It is rather that an understanding of the Way encompasses all things. To understand, to judge, to see the faults in one and not the other is a common mistake in the interpretation of various Buddhist and Taoist texts. In The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff makes the partisan effort to promote the Way as something that ironically defeats science and many other branches of human endeavor with the cleverness he condones them for. He says for instance that Science is "Looking for answers it will never find." and regulates scientific discoveries such as the complicated and intricate systems of magnetic internal navigation used by mirgratory birds to simple, patronizing terms like "Instinct." Pooh is praised for his forget-fullness and lack of self interest, two things that can, at most times, be more useful than an existence motivated by irrelevent factors like the acquisition of knowledge for the sake of knowledge of knowledge, or strength to defeat your opponents. Hoff does a great job choosing Buddhist and Toaist stories that illustrate how the Way is truly something we should all strive after, instead of being caught up in our own petty problems. However, his translation lacks somewhat of the truth behind the Way. The Way is great, and therefore, in a sense, demands greatness. There are few who are ready or willing to take up the eternal flame that burns in the hands of long dead mountain sages.
We are all already on the path. Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger are no different than Pooh. In fact Pooh has his own flaws. He is always eating everyone elses' Honey, which turns out, in Hoff's example to be a boon for Eeyore, who needs an empty jar to put his burst balloon in. It would be nice if everything in life turned out this way, but the truth is that people are unwilling to meet others and themselves half way to see the benefit and good in all things. That is why those who are complete ignorant of self forget the importance of their immediate relationship to everyone and everything around them. This lack of presence may save you when you fall in a river, but won't help when the reality that life is full of illusions that snag the desires of real people with real problems. To truly let go does not involve the apparently foolish, non-thought action of pooh. One would be surprised to find how much action there is in Wu-Wei. That action however is the art of life which must be pursuit by constant attention to breathe and void.
Anyway, the book is ok. It's an interesting introduction behind some Taoist ideas, but don't get too caught up in the passive underplayed strength of Taoism to move mountains and run oceans dry. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 01, 2007 Bethany Andrews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: spiritual

A friend of mine suggested I read this book, and I have to say I'm glad I took her advice. That said, its tough to explain this book aside from saying, it just is.

The novel gently exposes the reader to the truths of Taoism by refrencing the unique and profound qualities of A.A. Miline's character Winnie the Pooh. As I read, I was thrilled to realize just how much the characters truly reflect the principles of Taoism. The novel is a quick and easy read, in which you are jetted back to your childh...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 23, 2007 Byron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy

Nice. Short. Accessible.

p20. Uncarved Block = simplicity and naturalness
"When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun."

p24. The Learned
"The wise are not learned; the learned are not wise." - Lao Tse

"A well-frog cannot imagine the ocean; nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restrict...more

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 23, 2007 Monk rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Aspiring Taoists, Philosophers

Shelves: philosophy, required_reading

With as much love as I have for the translation of the Tao Te Ching I stick by, there are concepts which lack definition that can leave you wondering about certain aspects of the Tao. Some could just use a little nudge, a push to help one on the way to understanding.

One whould not expect A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh to come in and herald the solutions to the Tao's mysteries, but then again, you'd be surprised.

The Bear of Little Brain is used as an example of the simple life - how much more basic...more

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 21, 2013 Angela rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Many people think of Pooh bear as a silly old fellow and view his adventures as whimsical and meaningless, but there is so much more to his story than that! While Pooh may not seem to be the smartist character there ever was, this book explains how many aspects of Winnie the Pooh relate to Taoism, an ancient Chinese way of life, or philosophy. It all revolves around happiness. I especially love the Cottleston Pie riddle and how it means people should just appreciate who they are and not try to b...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 16, 2013 Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone

Shelves: fiction, favorite-fiction

I loved this. I smiled all the way through it. Explaining Taoism in ways that I could grasp, Benjamin Hoff's book made me understand how to apply Taoist principles to my Lutheran faith and strengthen my connection to life as it is. Many of the Pooh crew make their way into this charming introduction for Westerners into Taoist beliefs. Eeyore, for instance, exemplifies those of us who cannot enjoy life as it is because we are too often worrying and complaining about the past and future. Pooh hims...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 13, 2009 ♠shane rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, influential-books, fiction

I love this book. Taoism is a diffacult concept to wrap your mind around and it couldn't have been made any simpler than it has been in this book. It's got some great stories in it by itself and all of the characters make great examples of the classic personality types you bump in to in everday life. I can't count how many times i've bumped in to an Eore driving home from work or walking down the street. A must read for anyone struggling with the concept of toaism. I'd also recommend The Te Of P...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2009 Betsy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

a friend at work loaned this to me some time ago, and when i finally got around to reading it i wish i'd done sooner. it's very cute, very charming, and a very accessible look at what's being called western taoism, as it were. i'm in that navel-gazing self-searching phase of my 20's wherein i try to figure out just what ism i subscribe to, if any, and this book was a cute and functional way to further my studies. the creatures 100 acre wood are by their very nature archetypal, but seeing them la...more

like · see review

Mar 30, 2008 Melinda Lee added it · review of another edition

OK for all of you lover's of Classic Winnie the Pooh... Oh my gosh!!! This book is charming, charming and more charming! In a way only Pooh can do! Here is a tidbit. I just must.
"Let's go see everybody," said Pooh. "Because when you've been walking in the wind for miles , and you suddenly go into somebody's house, and he says, 'Hallo, Pooh, you're just in time for al ittle smackerel of something,' and you are, then it's what I call a Friendly Day."
Here is too Friendly Days and Goodreads!

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 12, 2013 aryn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

p25: It seems rather odd, somehow, that Taoism, the way of the Whole Man, the True Man, the Spirit Man (to use a few Taoist terms), is for the most part interpreted here in the West by the Scholarly Owl - by the Brain, the Academician, the dry-as-dust Absentminded Professor. Far from reflecting the Taoist ideal of wholeness and independence, this incomplete and unbalanced creature divides all kinds of abstract things into little categories and compartments, while remaining rather helpless and di...more

like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Bea rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I received this book as a gift - I probably would never have bought it because I'm not a philosophical person. I also didn't read much Winnie the Pooh as a kid, or if I did I don't remember it and had formed no attachment. So this book isn't really my thing.

It was an easy fast read though and I liked the excerpts from Winnie the Pooh and the idea of using a child's story to illustrate a philosophical concept. If the book was accurate in it's descriptions of Taoism then I learned things.

I felt...more

like · see review

Feb 03, 2013 Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was required reading for a World Religions class I took in College. It was by far the shortest, simplest of the books, but it became one of my favorites, and is one of the few I've allowed a permanent spot on my shelf. I've read many books on Taoism, Lao Tzu, and different versions of the Tao Te Ching, but this gave me the best practical understanding of Taoism as it relates to my every day life.

Hoff's literary style is amazing and clever, and his words flow very well. He manages to teach t...more

like · see review

Jan 19, 2013 James rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013

I have mixed feelings about this one. On the positive side, the book emphasizes the need for simplicity and peace in a fast-paced modern world, for accepting things as they are rather than frantically pursuing things that are not.

However, the author's positive message is undermined by his negative attacks on things of which the author disapproves. He condescendingly dismisses other philosophies and religions (e.g., Buddhism, Confucianism), using unfair straw-man characterizations of their teachi...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Cameron rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Despite being an interesting read, informative on many levels about the nature of Taoism, there are three things that bothered me about this short little experimental book.

The first is the format in which it is written. The author writes as if he is interacting with the characters of Pooh fame as he is telling the story itself. I think I understand that this is both in keeping with the way the Pooh stories are told as well as the way Eastern philosophical allegories are told. So, good job by the...more Despite being an interesting read, informative on many levels about the nature of Taoism, there are three things that bothered me about this short little experimental book.

The first is the format in which it is written. The author writes as if he is interacting with the characters of Pooh fame as he is telling the story itself. I think I understand that this is both in keeping with the way the Pooh stories are told as well as the way Eastern philosophical allegories are told. So, good job by the author to incorporate that, but it didn't keep it from being distracting.

The second is that I was never sure if it was meant as a way to express Taoism to fans of Pooh, or to explain Pooh to fans (would they be called fans?) of Taoism. Again, I understand that the author was attempting to use both "philosophies" to explain one another, but it seemed stretched too far one way or another at any given time. The theory of Pooh being "the un-carved block" is good, but the question of "Why is a chicken?" being a statement on accepting the true nature of all things seemed a little ridiculous, even for a story about a paunchy, pants-less bear.

The third is that the audiobook I listened to was narrated by Simon Vance, the same narrator who read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. And, as brilliant of a narrator as he is, listening to the same voice share the lovable exploits of Pooh and Piglet that had once shared the brutal exploitation of unsavory Swedish molesters was a bit, well... off-putting.

But, the book was very clever and very well-meaning. And it won in its efforts to help me better understand Taoism and better understand that Pooh isn't just some idiot, half-naked bear addicted to honey. But apparently there is genius behind his idiocy. I don't know. Still seems kind of dumb to me.

This book came recommended to me by Ruth Hall who is the closest thing to a human Piglet that I know. And I mean that in the most endearing way possible. And if anyone could teach an Eeyore like me about the whole "go with the flow" aspect of Taoism, it would have to be her. Second of the recommended books for 2013.
(less)

like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Amanda Childs rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Using the characters of Winnie the Pooh to exemplify various aspects of Taoist philosophy, Hoff attempts to describe in layman's terms Taoism, and apply its various themes and ideals to common Western lifestyles and society.

While the various Chinese proverbs scattered throughout the book were interesting and insightful, Hoff's overall commentary came off as wholly arrogant and narrow-minded. His suggestions that learning with purpose and working towards goals are both useless and indeed destruc...more

like · see review

Nov 03, 2012 Paul Gibson rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Leave it to a Westerner to dumb-down Daoism. It can happen in the East without our help.
This is a cute book and could have been a fun read if I didn't understand philosophical Daoism.
Let me say that I'm glad that folks love Winnie and company. I do too. I think the characters are great (unlike the author, it seems . . . he only likes Winnie) but Daoism doesn't describe their lot or enlighten the reader.
The problem with oversimplification is that it ignores and perhaps disparages, deeper values t...more

like · see review

Jul 04, 2012 Bob Hoffman rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Where are we going?” said Pooh. . .”Nowhere,” said Christopher Robin. So they began going there.

Multi-tasking society. Fast food culture. Instant information world. Goals. Objectives. Productive achievements.

Have we completely bought into this frenetic pace of life? Is it possible any more to go back to the simple and quiet, the natural and the plain? What if, instead of buying into the philosophy of, say, Ayn Rand, we started reading , say, A. A. Milne?

Ben Hoff is an Oregon writer, photographe...more

like · see review

Jun 06, 2012 Nicky Dierx rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked the fact that this book presents the basic principles of Taoism in a simple fashion, however they aren't that difficult to understand if you read the tao de jing itself.

I found the author to be a rather biased viewpoint, who even contradicts the very principles he's professing to espouse, in an example he gives of one of those principles! That alone made me question how this book has remained in print for more than 20 years.

For those of you wondering what I meant, on page 150 of this edi...more

like · see review

Mar 17, 2012 Macon Kennedy rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Defilement of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is undoubtedly an interesting and alluring book with its method of introducing an Eastern sect of philosophy in a way that even children could understand the authors supposed ingenious way of incorporating the lovable childhood characters of A.A. Milne: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and the others. Yet within the first few minutes of reading, I quickly realized that this is absolutely not the jovial bedtime reading to entertain the kids and enlighte...more The Defilement of Pooh

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff is undoubtedly an interesting and alluring book with its method of introducing an Eastern sect of philosophy in a way that even children could understand the authors supposed ingenious way of incorporating the lovable childhood characters of A.A. Milne: Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and the others. Yet within the first few minutes of reading, I quickly realized that this is absolutely not the jovial bedtime reading to entertain the kids and enlighten the curious western layman. This book is an abhorrent misrepresentation of both its parties and is an insult to every thinking man or woman who reads this utterly contemptible book. Whatever ignoble purpose this former janitor turned professional tree trimmer turned bestseller author set out to illustrate, he failed spectacularly. As far as my intellect and critical thinking abilities can discern (abilities that the author admonishes and reprimands and rather blatantly lacks himself, this book is his justification for a life of lethargy and torpidity and is disturbingly rewarded for this pathetic biopic with forty-nine weeks on the New York Times best-seller list and is, most disgracingly of all, a required reading book for collegiate Eastern Philosophy 101 and Introduction to Comparative Religion courses.
Hoff opens his quaint little book with Pooh asking an innocent question about what the author is writing as Pooh "...climbs on to the writing table." As the author attempt to sate the reader's likely purpose for buying the book, to read a cute story with the famed anthropomorphic bear and is yet "sophisticated and educational." Immediately upon turning the page I begin to grow wary when Pooh explains what the book is about and utters "...without ever accumulating any amount of intellectual knowledge or losing his simpleminded sort of happiness..." Albeit suspect, I am forcibly intrigued and fly through the "simpleminded" prose that is devoid of intellectual knowledge as I was forewarned. His analysis of The Vinegar Tasters is repugnant and appallingly ignorant and Hoff demonstrates his misconstrued views that will torment even those readers with the most rudimentary knowledge of the three main Eastern Religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The bias and false assertions are blatant and discredit the author about his credibility as one knowledgeable enough to write a book teaching Eastern Philosophical concepts. The art scroll is hardly definite in its interpretation and in this case it is not even apparent to my eye on which one is Lao-tse, the happiest one. At the most intrinsic level Confucianism, is the idea that humans are teachable and able to develop and are encouraged to cultivate a personal pursuit of moral perfection and a to observe humaneness. In essence, Confucianism is perfectionism treated with religious fervor or a sort of optimistic humanism. Although according to Hoff's description, the Confuscists emphasized a "sour," pessimistic philosophy characterized by an obsessive reverence for the past and worship of their demigod Emperor who interpreted heaven's demands on their insignificant earth. He goes onto condemn the Confuscists obsessive attention for precision and accuracy. He even begins his assault on this philosophy with the opening prepositional phrase "Under Confucianism..." as if it was some oppressive archaic totalitarian fascist theocracy. His ignorance and intolerance does not stop there. His description of the Buddha is equally spiteful and even more obscene. Describing the Buddha as one whose bitter outlook on the world "...interrupted by the bitter wind of everyday existence." One must recognizes that to encapsulate the twenty five thousand year old tranquil philosophy of Siddhartha is such a deplorable calumny that a flagrant bias cannot go without being addressed. The Buddha teaches for inner truth, peace of mind and a heightened sensitivity for compassion for humanity as part of nature. The audacity of Hoff continues as he portrays the Taoist founder Lao-tse's as a man of happy serenity; whilst this may and likely be true it bodes equally true for the Confusius and Buddha as well.
Distaste for science is the hidden agenda for Hoff in his book and it lies within the beginning of the passage on page twenty-four . He is introducing Pooh to Owl in one his living metaphors. Owl is represented by Confucius and they are portrayed as the scholars whom he describes as "...busy ants spoiling the picnic of life, rushing back and forth to pick up the bits and pieces dropped from above..." In essence, scientists and their fields. He continues on and says that "...deeper and broader matters are beyond its limited reach..." His barrage of inflammatory remarks at the intellectual and academic world of scientific inquiry appear ad nauseam throughout its pages. Hoff criticizes scientists as mindless drones (or for a more savage description, I will quote directly "[an] incomplete and unbalanced creature...rather helpless and disorganized in his daily life.") who lead shallow lives with no true feeling of joy and peace. He is irrefutably wrong with this loathsome generalization as scientists and scholars are typically philosophers as their core motivation for leading these "dreary" lives is a deeply insatiable desire to understand the inner workings of our universe. Their day job may consist of the tedious workings of the "how's" but the reason they are there is for the "why's." Hoff's pseudo-Taoism is obsessed with the "is" and is dogmatic in mission to stop questioning, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Catholic church of the 17th century instead of the wisdom of Eastern thought. Hard feelings and Hoff's own insecurities are alluded to when he makes the deplorable statement on the scientific community saying they are the ones "who keep what he learns to himself or to his own small group, writing pompous and pretentious papers that no one else can understand, rather than working for the enlightenment of others." In the foreword, he briefly mentions how when he proposed his idea for the book to the much maligned scholars, they labeled it as preposterous. At this point the true reason for writing this book is discernible underneath his gibberish that the book is written solely to justify his own insecurities and to express utter contempt for the scholarly community that rejected him. Hoff's philosophy is one of lethargy and sheer laziness which he makes himself feel arrogantly and distressingly confident by labeling it under the guise of Taoism.
His filthy misguided rhetoric is continuous throughout the entire book as each Pooh character is taken down in a horrible misrepresentation. Overall, this was one of the most appalling works I have read and is an injustice to all free thinkers and an insult to true Taoists and most inexcusable of all, the defiling of the lovable Pooh(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 Grace rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Author: Benjamin Hoff
Title: The Tao of Pooh
Description: The book uses characters from Winnie the Pooh to explain principles of Taoism.
Writing style: The real enchantment of the book is that it borrows from Milne’s originals. If it has been awhile since you read Pooh, you’ll no doubt be delighted and surprised at Milne’s wit. When Hoff tries to write in the same style, it falls a little flat for me.
Audience: People interested in Taoism. I read it because I received the book for free and it was a...more

like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 Dan Pham rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: chinese-philosophy

The Tao of Pooh.

So after much procrastination and a wicked sore throat which has left me a homebody for most of this fine labor day weekend, I've finally finished reading this. I am very glad that I did though.

To be honest, I was quite skeptical of this book which makes an attempt to show a parallel between the adventures of Winnie the Pooh with Taoist philosophy. I at first thought that this would be a gimmicky sorta book, meant to sell to people captivated by Pooh bear at an early age (myself...more

like · see review

May 24, 2011 Adam rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion-philosophy

It almost goes against the spirit of the book to analyze it, but there are two points I want to make.

First, what a joy to be reminded of the understated wisdom in A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh stories. I need to read those again.

Second, how unfortunate that for all his attempts to educate readers about Taoist principals, Hoff couldn't resist falling back on the that classic 20th century debate tactic, the "Doomsday gambit." If you were born after 1960, you've probably been hearing it as long as y...more

1 like · like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (40)

More editions...

Genres

Philosophy

624 users

Non Fiction

456 users

Religion

197 users

Spirituality

154 users

Self Help

53 users

Humor

44 users

Religion > Taoism

40 users

Classics

34 users

Inspirational

28 users

Religion > Buddhism

23 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Benjamin Hoff

Benjamin Hoff is an author based in the United States. The two books he is proud of are The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet. Hoff has an essay online:
http://www.benjaminhoffauthor.com/ This is the only website he has officially endorsed or been involved with.

More about Benjamin Hoff...

Books by Benjamin Hoff

The House on the Point: A Tribute to Franklin W. Dixon and The Hardy Boys

The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow: The Mystical Nature Diary of Opal Whiteley

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Tao of Pooh

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from The Tao of Pooh

“Do you really want to be happy? You can begin by being appreciative of who you are and what you've got.” — 326 people liked it

“Lots of people talk to animals...Not very many listen though...that's the problem.” — 126 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: The Tao of Pooh
avg rating	preview: The Tao of Pooh Goodreads rating: 3.98 (38640 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/531133.The_Tao_of_Pooh?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1309288134l/531133.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/531133.The_Tao_of_Pooh?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff[/url]

The Tao of Pooh

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website