What are the best books on Tai Chi for a 21st century practitioner? Are there any books on the Tao Te Ching that make sense?  And what are the best introductions to Taoism? Discover the teapotmonk's growing list of the best and most useful books for the 21st century student. 

Best 10 Taichi Books Ever Written

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WHAT ARE THE BEST BOOKS EVER ON TAI CHI ?

 When students ask me: "Hey! teapotmonk! What are the best books ever written on Taichi (or Taoism, or martial arts history) I tell them that that the best books are the ones often overlooked. There are so many books on the different Taichi styles and teaching methods it is difficult to recommend something that is right for everyone. Instead, I have created three broad lists on the very best Tai Chi, Taoism and Tao Te Ching books in the known universe.
Over time, this list has now grown to include a new section on the influence of Bruce Lee. Why Lee? Well, you'll find out as you work your way down the list. Got a recommendation for the lists? Let me know

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​5 TAI CHI BOOKS THAT TEACH SOMETHING USEFUL

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1: Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions by 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  

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

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3: 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

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4: The Manual of Bean Curd Boxing: Tai Chi and the Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone by 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 we can expect from doing so. Irreverent in way that a Taoist Art ought to be. Find out more about the Manual of Bean Curd Boxing here.

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5: 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 ​

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

I mentioned before that 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. Invaluable, irrespective of style or school.   More on the Beginners Guide to the Tai Chi Form Course and Book here. ​

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HAVE YOU READ THE BEST TAI CHI F.A.Q?

20 Questions your teacher would have preferred you didn't ask. Unrestrained and as blunt as a practice sword, the irreverent teapotmonk tackles everything from styles and schools, to weapons and wishful thinking. And if you think it's all just words - think again for each answer to each question ends with 3 suggestions for taking positive action.  Read the FAQ here. 

4 REALLY USEFUL VERSIONS OF THE TAO TE CHING 

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Unlike most literal translations of the Tao Te Ching that leave you even more confounded than before you began, these three versions interpret with a real flavour for a contemporary audience. In so doing they create something of real and practical value. ​

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

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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. 

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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.

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Bonus book. The Sage's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for the Second Half of Life - William Martin

"But I tell you the truth: The happy person is not the one with all the answers".
​This gentle rendering of the Tao Te Ching by William Martin requires a slow and paced digestion. His words slide effortlessly off the page and into your lap with all the affection and stillness of a dozing cat. This version will appeal to anyone from their late 30s onwards who discovers, as we all must do, that releasing tightly the grip on life and thereby freeing us to serve others is about as close as we can get to wading into the depths of the Tao. Highly recommended. Link: The Sage's Tao Te Ching. 

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4 BOOKS ON 21ST CENTURY TAOISM 

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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 ​

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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.

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The Path: Michael Puett

Taoism, but a lot more too. 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).  ​​

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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

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BRUCE LEE AND MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY

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Bruce Lee and Tai Chi? What is the link? Lee is featured here as an example of someone who worked towards making traditional arts relevant and widespread in the 20th century.  Lee shares a similar story to that of the great 20th century Taichi innovator Cheng Man-ch'ing. Both men taught westerners (something few others were doing at that time) but also developed new methods by fusing different disciplines into newer and more relevant practices. In Lee's case, these philosophical influences, which included people like Krishnamurti and Lao Tzu, taught him to be more flexible, to think beyond forms and patterns and to seek ways in which to globalise the appeal of the Chinese Arts. His life off the screen is a fascinating example of the same struggles that continue today.

The first 3 books all look at the man behind the popular image, trying to understand his struggles both internal and external. The final book is my comic rendering of the history of the martial arts, including Lee’s impactful presence.

Striking Distance: Bruce Lee and the Dawn of Martial Arts in America: Charles Russo

A fascinating glimpse into Lee, as an immigrant arriving into San Francisco just as the martial arts emerge into the public arena during the 1960s. The reception, the difficulties and the struggles of those establishing themselves and their arts in a new land was a common theme that bound these individuals together: James Lee, Ed Parker and of course Bruce Lee. But together they prised open the door to the world of martial arts. The rest is history.
Amazon Link - Striking Distance and the Dawn of the Martial Arts in America

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Bruce Lee: A Life: Matthew Polly

In this, more comprehensive and detailed biography, Polly depicts for the first time the difficulties of Asian Americans to make inroads into Hollywood of the 60s and 70’s. After dealing with the myopia of the traditional Chinese community, Lee would now have to take on the myopia of Hollywood. Though he had proven himself as an actor, a teacher, a fighter and a man of idea, he was now faced with something he could not overcome: the racism of the Hollywood.  Polly’s book reveals the struggles, but also the passion and the dedication of the man away from the screen.
​Amazon Link - Bruce Lee a Life

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Bruce Lee: Letters of the Dragon: Bruce Lee and John Little

From his early days before arriving in the US, to just a few hours before his death, these letters offer a personal insight into how Lee thought and felt, his aspirations and his preoccupations. So much of Lee’s life we have been handed through the filter of the cinema or the ad agency,, but here are his words as they form in his mind, as his ideas and projects that gradually become worn down by the machinery of Hollywood.
Amazon Link - Letters of the Dragon

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

A martial arts time-travel parody featuring :

• Bruce Lee seeks nunchaku therapy with Carl Jung
• Lao Tzu discusses Wifi Problems
• The highly contested origins of Tai Chi
• "Be Like Water" - Taoism goes to Court
• David Carradine challenges Bruce Lee

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Lee is one of many Tai Chi and Martial Art legends that feature in this rewriting of Cultural history and the embracing of the eastern arts.  in the West. "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,
Watch the videos and find out more here: One Last Thing

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A note on buying books from Indie authors

Indie Authors

Though I have included links to Amazon  - be aware that the author sees very little of this price. If you can, buy it direct from the publisher or authors website (where possible) and a fairer percentage goes straight to the author.  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). ​

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