In the Footsteps of the Yellow Emperor: Tracing the History of Traditional Acupuncture

by Peter Eckman

"In the Footsteps of the Yellow Emperor" is the product of decades of research. It represents one doctor’s personal and professional quest to explore the rich healing traditions of the East, and to learn how the transmission of knowledge from teacher to student helped define the course of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine as we know it today. Absolutely essential reading for all TCM students and practitioners. “This wonderfully readable and accessible book is particularly important because it helps our standards-driven culture understand a medicine based on lineage.” —Robert M. Duggan, Meridians “[Eckman] traces acupuncture through Chinese antiquity with a very readable clarity absent in other scholarly accounts of the same material. This story blossoms in the 20th century convergence of acupuncture traditions in Europe, and stands as the only articulate comprehensive account of this migration.” —J. Helms, American Academy of Medical Acupuncture Review “[A] product of monumental research into the tale of how acupuncture has been transmitted from East to West…. —Alan Hext, European Journal of Oriental Medicine

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

the night after i started reading this i had a dream about learning about chinese culture from a white author. i was definitely miffed to discover literally half the pages of this book are dedicated to the development of acupuncture in the west. i also feel suspicious of the strong intent to differentiate modern traditional chinese medicine with what the author suggests is the true traditional oriental medicine, which perhaps non chinese sources have a better grasp on than modern day china.
that all being said, the book itself is a great journalistic mission and the focus on the west i think is appropriate for this author’s positionality. maybe my biggest issue with it after all is the title and blurb, none of which so much as mention the West. The “we” in “Traditional Chinese Medicine as we know it today” from the blurb most certainly does not include me or the global majority

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author rambles a bit, it is true-- but some rambling is order, given the jumping about from dynasty to dynasty, from early China to 19th century Japan, to 20th century France and Germany, with brief stops in Taiwan, Singapore, and Britain. Tracing the history of a set of ideas, as they diverge and converge over centuries like a river with many tributaries, is no easy task. Eckman makes a valiant effort. I learned a great deal about a particular perspective on "Classical Acupuncture" as it made its way to Britain, by way of Japan, France, and Germany. I had no idea that there was a convergence of homeopathy and acupuncture in Europe, for instance. I did not know anything about Japanese Meridian Therapy, or that certain women had figured so prominently in the history of acupuncture. I enjoyed the numerous pictures, as well as the investigative spirit of Eckman's historical quest.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

good basic understanding of Chinese medicine's progression thru history and around the world. It was helpful to me in my Foundations of Chinese Medicine class. I only read as much as I needed to make it thru class, but do plan to read more thoroughly.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

An overview of acupuncture history.

[Courtney]

So interesting. Such rambling. Just...couldn't...finish. Maybe after school?