The Complete Idiot's Guide to Taoism

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A usefull sourcebook on Taoism although a little fancifull in places - Rated
The authors are philosophers and are keen to whizz through Taoism relating it to other religions/philosophies making everything sound fun, acessible and relevant to the modern world. There is a great deal of usefull information ranging from introductions to the tao Te Ching and the Chang Tzu to online resources. Excerpts of the Lao Tzu are given interesting parallels with readings in modern physics and with the sermon on the mount. Its a little fancifull but engaging enough. However the authors attempt to make the old theory that the Tao Te Ching was not written until the 2nd century their own is, frankly, rediculous. This was disproven nine years before the publication of their book. I know this is a bit of a winge, but 'Lao Tzu's' classic text deserves up to date scholarship (its now known to have developed over several centuries and probably does date back to the 5th century or even before)
Readers already well read in Taoism should not fail to read Shippers classic 'The Taoist Body' which will turn many a misconception of Taoism on its head and open a deep understanding of this endlessly rewarding subject.