I have found that the translations of James Legge for the I Ching and these two volumes on Taoism are by far the best for one very important reason, his explanations contained therein are the best. The best is because they are his from that period and time of his studies and not those of whom translate the characters today with out the face-to-face Legge had with the Chinese.
Please don't take this as a demeaning statement of other translations as I have found them to be great works but James Legge's give you more umph for the studies.
This does not mean I am advocating his translations and explanations as the final word on these complex works but a doorway to find your own unique interpretations as this, to me, is the true value of the study of Ancient Classics. I don't believe that we are to take the ancients view literally or even figuratively but a means of study to open our minds and go beyond what we see or hear directly and see/hear beyond mere words or actions.
I highly recommend added these two to your library and then find a way to get into discussions so as to achieve a wider view from many differing perspectives.
Book One
Book Two
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