warren

This book was originally rated at two stars by me because it really paled in comparison to the Tao of Pooh, which I still highly recommend.

Why is this book one star? A few reasons....

1. Hoff clearly didn't want to write it, from the way he was describing in the beginning. I don't know if there was a contractual obligation or he just realized that he liked money, but he already went into it with a little less than "pure" intent.

2. While there was still some charm in the book, it wasn't as good with tying philosophies into the other animals in the Hundred-Acre wood. A good attempt is made with Piglet, and even some with Tigger, but Rabbit and Owl just kind of fall flat.

3. Did you ever read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair? It's a great book till the end, where it becomes insufferably preachy. This book veers into similar territory with a completely irrelevant bashfest on American political conservatives, while remaining completely silent on problems that may exist with the other side of the political aisle.

He even goes so far to bash Gulf War I while saying that we could learn a lot from Chinese philosophy.

Here's the issue with that... Gulf War I was in about 1991-2.... China had the Tienanmen Square Massacre in 1989. If you want to contrast ancient philosophy with modern society but don't critically analyze all sides you are doing yourself a disservice.

I would recommend this book for: People who have it all figured out already and know that they are never ever wrong.


I would not recommend this book for: True Pooh fans, and people who found the Tao of Pooh an endearing comparison of classic literature to classic philosophy.