Best 10 Taichi Books Ever Written

covers for the best books on taichi by paul read the teapotmonk

WHAT ARE THE BEST BOOKS EVER ON TAI CHI ?

Students always ask me: What are the best books ever written on Taichi? However, as there are so many different Taichi styles and teaching methods, it is difficult to give specific titles. Instead, I always suggest books that transmit a flavour rather than a specific set of techniques or instructions (though I have included one or two worthy exceptions).
So here is the teapotmOnk’s list of the Best 10 Books (in the known Universe) that savour this flavour. As requested, I have added a section on the best versions of the Tao Te Ching and a couple of excellent books on Taoism. Finally, I have expanded the list with a few "Bonus Books" that have recently come to my attention but defy conventional categories.
Enjoy and let me know if you have a favourite that I have missed out.

5 TAI CHI BOOKS THAT TEACH SOMETHING USEFUL

1: Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions by Douglas Wile

cover for Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions. Douglas Wile

FACTUAL 1983: The book that has inspired many a historian of Chinese Martial Arts, Wile begins by explaining that there are no real secrets (something echoed below by Lowenthal) and that much of what we swallow as accepted martial arts history is in fact just the personal accounts of individuals or schools with their own specific agenda. Excellent read and a book you will come back to again and again.
Link: Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions. Douglas Wile

2: There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch'ing and His T'ai Chi Chuan by Wolfe Lowenthal

cover for There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch'ing and His T'ai Chi Chuan. Wolfe Lowenthal

ANECDOTAL 1991: This book (by an ex-student of Man Ching) delves into great detail of the man who - perhaps more than any others - introduced Tai Chi to a non Chinese audience. Fascinating anecdotes, from the 60's/70's, plus insights into practice as well as juicy bites of wisdom - the most apt being the title of the book itself. Worth remembering when looking for a teacher or school of Tai Chi.
Link: There Are No Secrets: Professor Cheng Man Ch'ing and His T'ai Chi Chuan. Wolfe Lowenthal

3: Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain: by Chungliang Al Huang

cover for Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain: by Chungliang Al Huang

PERSONAL 1973: Although this is somewhat of a 70's interpretation of the art (especially this first edition) and has some rather emblematic photos of the era, (Al reassures me that his red jump suit has gone to a good home), it is, nevertheless a breath of fresh air in comparison to all those geometric-obsessive instruction manuals that deliver little other than angles and weight percentages. Al worked alongside Alan Watts and you'll sense that influence in his words and approach to teaching. A treasure of a book.
Link: Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain: by Chungliang Al Huang

4: The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing: Tai Chi and the Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone by Paul Read

book cover for The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing: Paul Read

PERSONAL: "It is a great contribution to the world of Tai Chi" - Bob Klein, Author of Movements of Magic.
Most books on Tai Chi contain a high percentage of no-sense, thinly disguised as "eastern" wisdom passed down in dubious "secret transmissions". This book makes no claim to any such nonsense, instead it asks why we practice this art in the 21st century and what can we expect to gain from doing so. Irreverent in way that a Taoist Art ought to be. Find out more about the Manual of Bean Curd Boxing here.

5: Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Technique of Power. Horwitz, Tem and Kimmelman

book cover Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Technique of Power. Horwitz, Tem and Kimmelman

INTRODUCTION: Dismissed as too general by the dogmatic Taoists, this book features as it serves as an all-round useful introduction to Tai Chi. It not only includes a little history, philosophy and even photos (too many and rather meaningless for me), but also attempts to relate the principles of the art to other disciplines - and in so doing - bring the practice up to date. Few books try, even fewer succeed. Link: Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Technique of Power. Horwitz, Tem and Kimmelman

Bonus book: The Beginners Guide to the Tai Chi Form: Paul Read

book cover The Beginners Guide to the Tai Chi Form: Paul Read

I mentioned before that there although there are a plethora of books that try to teach the basics of the Tai Chi Form, most fall into the trap of promoting a single school, a single style or a single teachers approach. And ok, yes I'll admit it's another book of mine, but it does what it says on the box: A dozen of the most popular postures broken down, taught step-by-step and - if desired - linked to an online home study course. Invaluable, irrespective of style or school. More on the Beginners Guide to the Tai Chi Form Course and Book here.

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3 VERSIONS OF THE TAO TE CHING THAT ARE USEFUL

Unlike most versions of the Tao Te Ching that spend three-quarters of the book attempting to justify the interpretation of a single character or accent, these three versions interpret with a real flavour for a contemporary audience. In so doing they create something of real and practical value.

John Lash: The Tai Chi Journey

Lash attempts - and I believe in a great many ways succeeds - to interpret the Tao Te Ching for the benefit of the Tai Chi student. Apart from being easy to read, you can plunge in at almost any part and still find something thoughtful and well presented. This book is Ideal if you are a student of Tai Chi and find the average Tao Te Ching just too vague.
Link: John Lash: The Tai Chi Journey
It's always available in digital form. You might have to dig around to see if you can find a second-hand paperback somewhere.

Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching - Ursula K. Le Guin

"To believe that our beliefs are permanent truths which encompass reality is a sad arrogance. To let go of that belief is to find safety.”
A very personal and libertarian interpretation for all those that aren't satisfied with the esoteric versions that abound. Le Guin brings a fresh perspective, and, at last, redefines the Sage as a wise one pertaining to no specific gender (well overdue, and something most "Gurus" still fail to recognise).
Link Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching - Ursula K. Le Guin

Getting Right with the Tao: Ron Hogan

"Stop doing stuff all the time and watch what happens".
Finally, to close up this section, Ron Hogan's now radical, contemporary and no non-sense version of the Tao Te Ching. Find out more about Getting Right with the Tao here at his book page. An essential part of anyones library. Want a taster in an audio and visual form? Watch the mini video over here.

2 BOOKS ON TAOISM THAT REALLY DO MAKE SENSE

The Way and Its Power: Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought

Although this is another version of the Tao Te Ching, the first half of the book includes an excellent historical context for Taoism. Not a light read before bed, nor a gripping mystery page-turner, it is however, still a useful addition to a trainee immortal's library.
Link - The Way and Its Power: Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought

John Blofeld; Taoism A Quest for Immortality

This is the classic book that sparked the interest of many in the lesser known philosophical roots of Tai Chi (and for me, acts as the key reference text for my online Tai chi course: The Complete Tai Chi Course. Blofeld writes with simplicity, great insight and manages to avoid reducing the whole subject to simple "wishful thinking". His writing is engaging and above all, his messages come across as relevant today as at any time in the long history of this art.
Often unavailable. Try here. John Blofeld; Taoism A Quest for Immortality If not available in digital form. Try and find a 2nd Hand copy.

Bonus book: Notes From the Drift: Anthony Guilbert

Like many of the original texts on Taoism, Guilbert's poetic prose brings together an interwoven collection of observations and reflections on travel, time, change and adaptability. Beautiful photos, beautiful words, and gentle reminders of how - as clouds in the sky or waves crashing on a shoreline - we all are drifting along the amorphous edges of life, shaping and being shaped by this profound ebb and flow.
Amazon Link - Notes From the Drift - Anthony Guilbert

2 BONUS BOOKS: IDEAS FOR RETHINKING HISTORY

The Path: Michael Puett

If none of the esoteric tomes above appeal and you'd really prefer something more, let's say...broad, you might enjoy this take on Eastern philosophy called The Path by Michael Puett.
It's accessible, full of fine examples and doesn't confine itself to the same list of suspects usually regurgitated in other books on Chinese Philosophy. Here you won't just meet Lao Tzu, you'll also find yourself in the company of Confucius and Mencius offering insights to everyday living ( I love the practicality of the chapter on Goodness).

One Last Thing: A Time-Travellers Guide to Taoism, Martial Arts and 21st Century Thinking: Paul Read

"Impudent, cheeky, saucy, and beautifully –wonderfully –insanely irreverent! I love this book for all the reasons I love rock-n-roll, American muscle-cars, and 1970's Shaw Brothers martial arts flicks. Reading this book, you'll be stained by its wisdom!
- Anthony Guilbert, author of 'Notes From The Drift'.
If a mix of martial arts philosophy, the history of productivity and creativity, Taoist comedy and time-travel appeals - then you may want to step out of your comfort zone to taste the most eccentric book on Tai Chi ever written. Watch the videos and find out more here: One Last Thing

Have I missed out something essential? Let me know what you think should also be on the list.

A note on buying books from Indie authors

Indie Authors

If you buy a paperback from Amazon the author sees very little of this price. Buy it from the publisher or authors website (where possible) and a fairer percentage goes to the author. Where I can, I’ve added links to small and indie publishers, otherwise there are the inevitable associate links to Amazon (gotta pay the bills). It is also worth remembering to scout around second hand bookshops or search for some copies on platforms like SCRIBD as some of the books are no longer in print).