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The Way, With The Enchanted Neighborhood
The Te of Piglet
In The Te of Piglet, the Piglet character of the Winnie the Pooh books explains the Chinese concept of Te, meaning 'power' or 'virtue'.[4] Hoff elucidates the Taoist concept of 'Virtue — of the small'; though, he also uses it as an opportunity to elaborate on his introduction to Taoism. It is written with many embedded stories from the A. A. Milne Winnie the Pooh books, both for entertainment and because they serve as tools for explaining Taoism. In the book Piglet is shown to possess great power — a common interpretation of the word Te, which more commonly means Virtue — not only because he is small, but also because he has a great heart or, to use a Taoist term, Tz'u. The book goes through the other characters — Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Eeyore and Pooh — to show the various aspects of humanity that Taoism says get in the way of living in harmony with the Tao.
257 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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12069 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Hoff
21 books562 followersBenjamin Hoff grew up in the Portland, Oregon neighborhood of Sylvan, where he acquired a fondness of the natural world that has been highly influential in his writing. Hoff obtained a B.A. in Asian Art from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington in 1973.
Hoff has also studied architecture, music, fine arts, graphic design and Asian Culture. His studies in Asian Culture included reaching the certificate level in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, had two years of apprenticeship in Japanese fine-pruning methods, and four years of instruction in the martial art form of T'ai chi ch'uan, including a year of Ch'i Kung. In his spare time, he practices Taoist Qigong and T'ai chi ch'uan.
Hoff was awarded the American Book Award in 1988 for The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow. The Tao of Pooh was an international bestseller and spent 49 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list. The Te of Piglet also became an international bestseller and spent 59 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list.
In 2006, Hoff published an essay on his website titled "Farewell to Authorship", in which he denounced the publishing industry and announced his resignation from book-writing.
Hoff has also studied architecture, music, fine arts, graphic design and Asian Culture. His studies in Asian Culture included reaching the certificate level in the Japanese Tea Ceremony, had two years of apprenticeship in Japanese fine-pruning methods, and four years of instruction in the martial art form of T'ai chi ch'uan, including a year of Ch'i Kung. In his spare time, he practices Taoist Qigong and T'ai chi ch'uan.
Hoff was awarded the American Book Award in 1988 for The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow. The Tao of Pooh was an international bestseller and spent 49 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list. The Te of Piglet also became an international bestseller and spent 59 weeks on The New York Times' bestseller list.
In 2006, Hoff published an essay on his website titled "Farewell to Authorship", in which he denounced the publishing industry and announced his resignation from book-writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 969 reviews
July 18, 2008
I only made it about half-way through this book and that was a struggle--I continued only because I had such fond memories of "The Tao of Pooh." In my opinion, this is not a worthy sequel. All the sweetness and warmth of the first book, the Mile-esque style of writing, is gone. So, too, is much discussion of Taoism--and even of Piglet, for that matter. Rather, it seems a soapbox for the author's disillusionment/disgust with Western culture. Would have been much more effective if he kept the focus on Taoism's good points, rather than using so much ink slamming the West.
May 1, 2010
The Fèn of Eeyore.
One day I was walking through the bog, gazing wistfully at the muddy water, when I came across Eeyore in his den. A lovely smell was coming out of the crumbling donkey shelter.
"Hallo old friend. What's cooking?"
"Hola, amigo. Why this is just a simple zuppa verde. Thistles and nettles from the bog you know, but quite good when cooked in buttered broth. Farina grains add bulk and thickness, what what. Ho ho! But what's this, you're looking a bit doom-and-gloom, my friend. What has happened to your cheerful demeanor?"
"Oh Eeyore, it is Very Good to see you again. I've just been reading The Te of Piglet you see, and it has got me feeling...that is, a bit..."
"Ho-ho! Say no more. That book has the wrong title, to start with. Actually it has the wrong everything. It's not really about anything. Though of course certain parties are trodden on..."
"Yes, I believe that's what's left me so conflicted. And, well, so you know, then, that...uhm..."
"Yes, I know. Oh I know. It was me what was trod, yup? I'm the odd bits which got smithered on. I certainly know all this. You needn't mention it. And after all, one can't complain. I have my friends. Somebody spoke to me only yesterday. And was it last week or the week before that Rabbit bumped into me and said 'Bother!'. The Social Round. Always something going on."
"You know, Eeyore, I can't help but feel that this time this Tao and Te fellow has gone over the line. I mean, really, Educational System Eeyores? And what's this nonsense about 'Eeyore Amazons'? Could you make head or tail out of that (so to speak)?"
"Ah yes, those misfit feminists with their 'overabundance of masculine energies.' Do you mean to say you find the fellow unqualified to measure the proper amount of 'masculine energy'?"
"The thought had occurred to me."
"Haha, well it's all quite amusing really. In a quiet way, that is, and without being really helpful. As you no doubt gathered, the book is said to be about Piglet, but there's really very little of Piglet in it at all."
"Quite true -- I was surprised at that."
"You shouldn't be, my friend! Oh, I tell you, in this world nearly every creature suffers from a Positively Startling Lack of Brain. The result of course is that the books they write aren't about what they thought they would write about. Probably this book did start out about Piglet, but soon a bit of chaff flew by, or else a new smell entered the air, and before the author knew it, he was Whining again, as he is of course wont to do.
Now for your information, in China, Whining is actually an art."
"Really? But isn't that annoying to readers?"
"Not at all! Not when done properly. And not if the listeners feel the same way about matters. Why, down in the bogs and swamps of China I have visited with Donkeys, Monkeys, DonkMonks, and Key-Dons of all shapes and sizes, all perfectly able to spend an entire evening Whining. Whining's good for the soul, after all, for once you're done you've cleaned yourself out. You've taken out all your bile and whatnot and spillt it out into the bog water, where it makes no difference at all."
"Oh! I think I see where you are going with this. And so The Te of Piglet..."
"Right. It's entirely whining, from beginning to end. What little we see of poor Piglet is purposely obscured to make it seem as if we are all actually already either Whiners or Worth Whining About. Which is perfectly true, by the way!"
"I see. So back to the title. You said it had the wrong title. Perhaps it should be called Whining?"
"Yes. Since our friend likes Chinese terms so much, he might have called it after the Chinese term for a "whining," which refers to the scattering and drawing out of the bile, or indignation, which is called "fen." "Whining" is a verb, but "fen" is a nice solid noun which refers to the bile in the heart. So I do think he should have called it The Fen."
"I see, yes. But then again it wouldn't do to call it The Fen. It needs an Animal, don't you think? Perhaps The Fen of Piglet would be better?"
"Don't be daft. That silly bit of fluff hasn't the confidence to Whine in a full-throated, belly-emptying way. No, no, Piglet would never do."
"Come to think of it, as we said before, the Animal that whines most is you, Eeyore."
"Why thank you very much. I was so hoping someone would notice!"
"Ah! Now I have it. Our friend only seems to dislike you, Eeyore. He whines about Eeyores. But since Eeyores are the whiners, then he too is an Eeyore. Why don't we call the book The Fen of Eeyore?"
"Oh, my goodness. I couldn't accept that. Oh, no, really. Me? The star of a book? Well, suppose I do know a thing or two. I've a brain. Say, do you want to stay awhile? Have some zuppa?"
"Wonderful! I've some beer in this bag, if that interests you."
"It may interest me, sir. Perhaps as much as anything ever does, in any case. Drinking beer never did anyone any good. Then again, the world is in such a state, a few beers are certainly called for. Oh! Everybody has been Wrong about Everything. I tell you! Especially Wrong about Me. Why, what Whining we shall have tonight, sir..."
One day I was walking through the bog, gazing wistfully at the muddy water, when I came across Eeyore in his den. A lovely smell was coming out of the crumbling donkey shelter.
"Hallo old friend. What's cooking?"
"Hola, amigo. Why this is just a simple zuppa verde. Thistles and nettles from the bog you know, but quite good when cooked in buttered broth. Farina grains add bulk and thickness, what what. Ho ho! But what's this, you're looking a bit doom-and-gloom, my friend. What has happened to your cheerful demeanor?"
"Oh Eeyore, it is Very Good to see you again. I've just been reading The Te of Piglet you see, and it has got me feeling...that is, a bit..."
"Ho-ho! Say no more. That book has the wrong title, to start with. Actually it has the wrong everything. It's not really about anything. Though of course certain parties are trodden on..."
"Yes, I believe that's what's left me so conflicted. And, well, so you know, then, that...uhm..."
"Yes, I know. Oh I know. It was me what was trod, yup? I'm the odd bits which got smithered on. I certainly know all this. You needn't mention it. And after all, one can't complain. I have my friends. Somebody spoke to me only yesterday. And was it last week or the week before that Rabbit bumped into me and said 'Bother!'. The Social Round. Always something going on."
"You know, Eeyore, I can't help but feel that this time this Tao and Te fellow has gone over the line. I mean, really, Educational System Eeyores? And what's this nonsense about 'Eeyore Amazons'? Could you make head or tail out of that (so to speak)?"
"Ah yes, those misfit feminists with their 'overabundance of masculine energies.' Do you mean to say you find the fellow unqualified to measure the proper amount of 'masculine energy'?"
"The thought had occurred to me."
"Haha, well it's all quite amusing really. In a quiet way, that is, and without being really helpful. As you no doubt gathered, the book is said to be about Piglet, but there's really very little of Piglet in it at all."
"Quite true -- I was surprised at that."
"You shouldn't be, my friend! Oh, I tell you, in this world nearly every creature suffers from a Positively Startling Lack of Brain. The result of course is that the books they write aren't about what they thought they would write about. Probably this book did start out about Piglet, but soon a bit of chaff flew by, or else a new smell entered the air, and before the author knew it, he was Whining again, as he is of course wont to do.
Now for your information, in China, Whining is actually an art."
"Really? But isn't that annoying to readers?"
"Not at all! Not when done properly. And not if the listeners feel the same way about matters. Why, down in the bogs and swamps of China I have visited with Donkeys, Monkeys, DonkMonks, and Key-Dons of all shapes and sizes, all perfectly able to spend an entire evening Whining. Whining's good for the soul, after all, for once you're done you've cleaned yourself out. You've taken out all your bile and whatnot and spillt it out into the bog water, where it makes no difference at all."
"Oh! I think I see where you are going with this. And so The Te of Piglet..."
"Right. It's entirely whining, from beginning to end. What little we see of poor Piglet is purposely obscured to make it seem as if we are all actually already either Whiners or Worth Whining About. Which is perfectly true, by the way!"
"I see. So back to the title. You said it had the wrong title. Perhaps it should be called Whining?"
"Yes. Since our friend likes Chinese terms so much, he might have called it after the Chinese term for a "whining," which refers to the scattering and drawing out of the bile, or indignation, which is called "fen." "Whining" is a verb, but "fen" is a nice solid noun which refers to the bile in the heart. So I do think he should have called it The Fen."
"I see, yes. But then again it wouldn't do to call it The Fen. It needs an Animal, don't you think? Perhaps The Fen of Piglet would be better?"
"Don't be daft. That silly bit of fluff hasn't the confidence to Whine in a full-throated, belly-emptying way. No, no, Piglet would never do."
"Come to think of it, as we said before, the Animal that whines most is you, Eeyore."
"Why thank you very much. I was so hoping someone would notice!"
"Ah! Now I have it. Our friend only seems to dislike you, Eeyore. He whines about Eeyores. But since Eeyores are the whiners, then he too is an Eeyore. Why don't we call the book The Fen of Eeyore?"
"Oh, my goodness. I couldn't accept that. Oh, no, really. Me? The star of a book? Well, suppose I do know a thing or two. I've a brain. Say, do you want to stay awhile? Have some zuppa?"
"Wonderful! I've some beer in this bag, if that interests you."
"It may interest me, sir. Perhaps as much as anything ever does, in any case. Drinking beer never did anyone any good. Then again, the world is in such a state, a few beers are certainly called for. Oh! Everybody has been Wrong about Everything. I tell you! Especially Wrong about Me. Why, what Whining we shall have tonight, sir..."
January 18, 2015
After enjoying Benjamin Hoff's Tao of Pooh, with its delightful introduction of Taoist ideas using the classic A.A. Milne characters, I approached the rather thicker Te of Piglet with gleeful anticipation. Alas, if only the book were thinner.
There are still the interactions, albeit somewhat less adorable, with the denizens of the Hundred-Acre Wood, but they are nearly suffocated by lengthy broadsides against all sorts of political targets, from anti-Environmental Business to Technology, from Scientists to Western Medicine. And while I am not at all opposed to the notion of screeding to one's heart's content, the avalanche of Haughty Thoughts seems entirely out of place given both the first book and the greater Poohniverse.
Of particular oddity was his railing against Grammar "Amazons" whose great crime against humanity -- suggesting "he or she" or "they/them" constructions rather than "he" as the default -- apparently results in the utter emasculation of Men and the Death of Civilization. For a school of thought like Taoism that has had some sort of inclusiveness for women in it from the beginning (centuries, now), it seems a really weird hill to die on.
I'll confess, I nearly put the book down at that point. I was reminded of Dorothy Parker (as Constant Reader) reviewing The House at Pooh Corner -- "And it is that word 'hummy,' my darlings, that marks the first place in The House at Pooh Corner at which Tonstant Weader fwowed up." What the hell, Hoff?
I had a brief urge to edit an expurgated version of the Te of Piglet with the politics dialed back several notches (and a hundred pages or so) so that the lovely Taoist concepts can shine forth. But then I remembered this is but one tiny rock in the stream of Taoist literature and, in the spirit of such things, I should be like water and simply route around it.
There are still the interactions, albeit somewhat less adorable, with the denizens of the Hundred-Acre Wood, but they are nearly suffocated by lengthy broadsides against all sorts of political targets, from anti-Environmental Business to Technology, from Scientists to Western Medicine. And while I am not at all opposed to the notion of screeding to one's heart's content, the avalanche of Haughty Thoughts seems entirely out of place given both the first book and the greater Poohniverse.
Of particular oddity was his railing against Grammar "Amazons" whose great crime against humanity -- suggesting "he or she" or "they/them" constructions rather than "he" as the default -- apparently results in the utter emasculation of Men and the Death of Civilization. For a school of thought like Taoism that has had some sort of inclusiveness for women in it from the beginning (centuries, now), it seems a really weird hill to die on.
I'll confess, I nearly put the book down at that point. I was reminded of Dorothy Parker (as Constant Reader) reviewing The House at Pooh Corner -- "And it is that word 'hummy,' my darlings, that marks the first place in The House at Pooh Corner at which Tonstant Weader fwowed up." What the hell, Hoff?
I had a brief urge to edit an expurgated version of the Te of Piglet with the politics dialed back several notches (and a hundred pages or so) so that the lovely Taoist concepts can shine forth. But then I remembered this is but one tiny rock in the stream of Taoist literature and, in the spirit of such things, I should be like water and simply route around it.
August 16, 2012
I wanted to like this book. I remember enjoying "The Tao of Pooh" and I naturally figured this would be a companion piece in the same vein. However, in the ten years that passed between that publication and this one, Benjamin Hoff seems to have grown into a grouchy, cantankerous old man decrying the youth of America and using this book as a soapbox for his own political rants that have naught to do with Taoism, Te, Piglet or Pooh.
The book starts off fine, with some basic introductions of Taoism and Te, but things start to go downhill with the chapter titled "The Eeyore Effect." Midway through this chapter, Hoff suddenly starts on his own personal tangents, ranting about everyone from the news media to modern educators to so-called "Amazon Feminists" intent on converting all nouns to gender-neutral descriptions because they are both "antimasculine" and "overmasculine" and have "no respect for the feminine."
Don't ask me to make sense of that. It's WTF bizarre in the context of the book. It's quite obvious that Hoff despised feminists and political correctness (which was just coming into vogue when this book was written) and decided to use this book as his soapbox.
Then there's the ranting about "kids these days." I'm 30 now, so I'm part of the youth generation he was ranting about in the early 90's when this was written. According to Hoff, it was horrible that my generation was being taught to use computers in school. And of course he blames low test scores on video games:
"The minds of American children are now so stressed and crippled by Tiggerish wham-bam Video Games, Television Shows, and Instant Left-Brain Computer Activities that many of them are unable to concentrate on anything for more than five minutes."
and
"Perhaps today's children will be able to find employment years from now, anyway -- they may be hired as technical laborers by the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, who will by then own just about everything because their cultures far more than ours encourage children to Focus on the Mind."
Ho hum. They same thing people have been complaining about for generations. Kids these days, no respect, no proper education. Okay, grouchy old man. Sounds like my grandfather, ranting about how China and "the Japs" were taking over the country.
At this point I stopped reading the book in depth and just skimmed the rest. It's short enough that I didn't miss much. Yet the bizarre paranoid rants just get worse:
"Today the public is being captivated by computers, word processors, and the like -- whose cathode-ray tubes emit X-ray radiation, and whose circuits and display terminals produce strong electromagnetic fields. {...} The latest Popular Radiation device is the Microwave Oven, which bombards food with high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, irritating it until it heats up. This sort of Perversion of Nature is perfectly safe, authorities insist -- if it weren't, the Wonderful Machines wouldn't be on the market. Maybe the authorities are correct this time, just for once. On the other hand, maybe they're not."
In addition to being afraid of microwaved food and feminists, Hoff also has nothing nice to say about Conservatives, turning a chapter ironically titled "The Day of Piglet" into a political soapbox rant about self-righteous religious conservative politicians who keep money for themselves while widows and orphans starve in the streets. This segues into a sort of environmental hippie treatise about the billions of dollars the US was spending on the first Iraq war for Kuwait's oil supplies while "across the country untaxed gang lords cruise about in limousines, drug pushers and psychopaths prey on neglected children, homeless grandmothers push their worldly possessions in shopping carts, citizens of all ages contract Pistol Fever, shooting themselves and each other..." Then there's all the toxic waste, pesticides, and chemicals in the environment that are slowly killing us...
Um.
Piglet...? Pooh...? Taoism? Te?
It's amazing how this short little book manages to go so completely off topic so quickly. Also, I've never read a book about Eastern thought that was so negative and borderline misanthropic.
"The Tao of Pooh" is worth a read, but do yourself a favor and don't bother with this one.
The book starts off fine, with some basic introductions of Taoism and Te, but things start to go downhill with the chapter titled "The Eeyore Effect." Midway through this chapter, Hoff suddenly starts on his own personal tangents, ranting about everyone from the news media to modern educators to so-called "Amazon Feminists" intent on converting all nouns to gender-neutral descriptions because they are both "antimasculine" and "overmasculine" and have "no respect for the feminine."
Don't ask me to make sense of that. It's WTF bizarre in the context of the book. It's quite obvious that Hoff despised feminists and political correctness (which was just coming into vogue when this book was written) and decided to use this book as his soapbox.
Then there's the ranting about "kids these days." I'm 30 now, so I'm part of the youth generation he was ranting about in the early 90's when this was written. According to Hoff, it was horrible that my generation was being taught to use computers in school. And of course he blames low test scores on video games:
"The minds of American children are now so stressed and crippled by Tiggerish wham-bam Video Games, Television Shows, and Instant Left-Brain Computer Activities that many of them are unable to concentrate on anything for more than five minutes."
and
"Perhaps today's children will be able to find employment years from now, anyway -- they may be hired as technical laborers by the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, who will by then own just about everything because their cultures far more than ours encourage children to Focus on the Mind."
Ho hum. They same thing people have been complaining about for generations. Kids these days, no respect, no proper education. Okay, grouchy old man. Sounds like my grandfather, ranting about how China and "the Japs" were taking over the country.
At this point I stopped reading the book in depth and just skimmed the rest. It's short enough that I didn't miss much. Yet the bizarre paranoid rants just get worse:
"Today the public is being captivated by computers, word processors, and the like -- whose cathode-ray tubes emit X-ray radiation, and whose circuits and display terminals produce strong electromagnetic fields. {...} The latest Popular Radiation device is the Microwave Oven, which bombards food with high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, irritating it until it heats up. This sort of Perversion of Nature is perfectly safe, authorities insist -- if it weren't, the Wonderful Machines wouldn't be on the market. Maybe the authorities are correct this time, just for once. On the other hand, maybe they're not."
In addition to being afraid of microwaved food and feminists, Hoff also has nothing nice to say about Conservatives, turning a chapter ironically titled "The Day of Piglet" into a political soapbox rant about self-righteous religious conservative politicians who keep money for themselves while widows and orphans starve in the streets. This segues into a sort of environmental hippie treatise about the billions of dollars the US was spending on the first Iraq war for Kuwait's oil supplies while "across the country untaxed gang lords cruise about in limousines, drug pushers and psychopaths prey on neglected children, homeless grandmothers push their worldly possessions in shopping carts, citizens of all ages contract Pistol Fever, shooting themselves and each other..." Then there's all the toxic waste, pesticides, and chemicals in the environment that are slowly killing us...
Um.
Piglet...? Pooh...? Taoism? Te?
It's amazing how this short little book manages to go so completely off topic so quickly. Also, I've never read a book about Eastern thought that was so negative and borderline misanthropic.
"The Tao of Pooh" is worth a read, but do yourself a favor and don't bother with this one.
September 14, 2010
This is like night and day compared to the Tao of Pooh.
Tao of Pooh alternated between scenes from Pooh and Hoff's explanation of what that meant in Taoist terms. The Pooh scenes really helped illustrate what he was discussing. The Te of Piglet consists more of exposition about the concept of Te and Taoism in general. There's very little effort made to tie it back to Piglet and the other Pooh characters and quite a bit of political ranting.
The few points he tried to make about Piglet he'd already made in the Tao of Pooh - complete with the same examples from the same stories. There's very little Piglet and an abundance of Hoff's own opinions on how Taoism/Buddhism relate to modern society. He discusses everything from feminism being horrible, to smoking, to farming and fertilization practices, to the evils of radiation and therefore modern electronics.
While I agree with some of the points he made, I didn't pick up the book to read how he's applied Taoism to his political philosophy and world view.
In short - just stop with the Tao of Pooh. It covers the main points of Te as well.
Tao of Pooh alternated between scenes from Pooh and Hoff's explanation of what that meant in Taoist terms. The Pooh scenes really helped illustrate what he was discussing. The Te of Piglet consists more of exposition about the concept of Te and Taoism in general. There's very little effort made to tie it back to Piglet and the other Pooh characters and quite a bit of political ranting.
The few points he tried to make about Piglet he'd already made in the Tao of Pooh - complete with the same examples from the same stories. There's very little Piglet and an abundance of Hoff's own opinions on how Taoism/Buddhism relate to modern society. He discusses everything from feminism being horrible, to smoking, to farming and fertilization practices, to the evils of radiation and therefore modern electronics.
While I agree with some of the points he made, I didn't pick up the book to read how he's applied Taoism to his political philosophy and world view.
In short - just stop with the Tao of Pooh. It covers the main points of Te as well.
November 22, 2025
Many, many stinky poohs ago, a yucky older woman with an awful mermaid tattoo I was dating for several months stole my copy of 1982, The Tao of Pooh. She was the type of mean jerk to give yoga vegans a bad name because she didn't tell me for several months that she was still married, living with her husband, and working as a private dancer on the weekends. It was totally not cool and still made me feel guilty for something that clearly wasn't my fault.
Why should anyone have to waste so much hard-earned cash on a mean, dishonest woman? I also don't think being vegan gives u super powers like in Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. She clearly wasn't deserving of going to a Sox/Yanks game at Fenway Pahk or taking in a midnight viewing of The Goonies at the Coolidge Theater before retiring to my simple yearning for some serious cuddling. If u snooze u lose! Z...
I suppose there are still bountiful lessons for sum left to learn from the 99.9 Acre Wood.
If u are reading this stinky Pooh review, it is my sincerest birthday cake wish that u don't succumb to the "Eeyore Effect" still apropos to todays begrudgingly Negative News Media. Taoist principles favorite of Pacific Northwest, floor sleepin' enthusiast Benjamin Hoff drops some #philosophy using familiar and relatable characters.
Cute Piglet wishes that sum1 would notice them instead of stinky Pooh. All the hashtag basic people notice the stinky Pooh...
"'It is hard to be brave,' said Piglet, 'when you're only a Very Small Animal.'" (Preface)
Anxious Piglet is timid and also yearning, craving security; often falling victim to the negative influence of the stinky poohs.
"they just don't want to look stupid." (56)
The "DEH" of Piglet... isn't "scholarly" by definition, but "It is instead a quality of special character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential unique to the individual- something that comes from the Inner Nature of things." (23)
Money can't buy u happiness, but perhaps by taking the time to try and notice certain things like the cute hidden little Piglets of the world, we can appreciate the true potential of the way of the universe, for #science, morality, and spirituality can definitely join together holding hands in unison.
"Well it takes all kinds to make a mess..." (91)
[pause for laughter]
The Universe knows what it's doing, butt sumtimes the humble patient boy keenly observes the bright songing Piglets who don't always embrace the simple optimisms of the world perhaps amorously (torturously?) far too too too long before they are able to notice the wicked smart and brave attributes they also have themselves.
Observation is key to living wisely and well as we discern true from false thru both subtlety and action. If u truly begin to open ur heart to observe the nature of the world with a humble perspective beyond just good or baddies, those destined to succeed might actually find wisdom, happiness and maybe sum truth.
"That's a fine piece of... cake." (186)
It's okay for Piglets to have bodyguards too! A good Taoist artiste can utilize literary fact and fiction to normalize the devious and imperviously cruel.
The miracle of "Truth Power" can transform by changing the grumpiest Eeyores with "respectful, patient, persistence..." (246) resulting in miraculous spiritual transformations, overcoming past crippling separation anxieties.
U can't be too too too harsh on the Eeyores of the world (or even the boring stinky Poohs...) because even the stupids deserve big kindness.
"Great men play like a child and attracts... like ... a... woman." (243)
Taoist sensitivity is cooperation and the greatest men both retain and respect the child's mind.
"You see the postman carries a large sack." (98)
Educator Eeyores crack down, whereas ur response should be to... crack up! It's just oh so difficult to sumtimes control those oh so intense Tigger brain impulses...
"a Very bouncy Animal" (88)
"The suspense was becoming unbearable..." (114)
"Pardon me for a moment. This letter just arrived." (60)
Once Piglet finally opened the special letter, Piglet eventually realized it's okay to let go and finally be free once in a while to transfer sum of those negative signs into positive... fun action. :)
"Sing ho! for Piglet, ho! Ho!" (239)
Hypothetically, it should be totes possible 2 attract positive energy with positive energy to restore the "wellness of truth" (16) with some ripe Gandhi patience, smart bravery, and finally maybe even an abundant supply of beautiful authentic smiles if u truly did actually wish for it...
Why should anyone have to waste so much hard-earned cash on a mean, dishonest woman? I also don't think being vegan gives u super powers like in Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. She clearly wasn't deserving of going to a Sox/Yanks game at Fenway Pahk or taking in a midnight viewing of The Goonies at the Coolidge Theater before retiring to my simple yearning for some serious cuddling. If u snooze u lose! Z...
I suppose there are still bountiful lessons for sum left to learn from the 99.9 Acre Wood.
If u are reading this stinky Pooh review, it is my sincerest birthday cake wish that u don't succumb to the "Eeyore Effect" still apropos to todays begrudgingly Negative News Media. Taoist principles favorite of Pacific Northwest, floor sleepin' enthusiast Benjamin Hoff drops some #philosophy using familiar and relatable characters.
Cute Piglet wishes that sum1 would notice them instead of stinky Pooh. All the hashtag basic people notice the stinky Pooh...
"'It is hard to be brave,' said Piglet, 'when you're only a Very Small Animal.'" (Preface)
Anxious Piglet is timid and also yearning, craving security; often falling victim to the negative influence of the stinky poohs.
"they just don't want to look stupid." (56)
The "DEH" of Piglet... isn't "scholarly" by definition, but "It is instead a quality of special character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential unique to the individual- something that comes from the Inner Nature of things." (23)
Money can't buy u happiness, but perhaps by taking the time to try and notice certain things like the cute hidden little Piglets of the world, we can appreciate the true potential of the way of the universe, for #science, morality, and spirituality can definitely join together holding hands in unison.
"Well it takes all kinds to make a mess..." (91)
[pause for laughter]
The Universe knows what it's doing, butt sumtimes the humble patient boy keenly observes the bright songing Piglets who don't always embrace the simple optimisms of the world perhaps amorously (torturously?) far too too too long before they are able to notice the wicked smart and brave attributes they also have themselves.
Observation is key to living wisely and well as we discern true from false thru both subtlety and action. If u truly begin to open ur heart to observe the nature of the world with a humble perspective beyond just good or baddies, those destined to succeed might actually find wisdom, happiness and maybe sum truth.
"That's a fine piece of... cake." (186)
It's okay for Piglets to have bodyguards too! A good Taoist artiste can utilize literary fact and fiction to normalize the devious and imperviously cruel.
The miracle of "Truth Power" can transform by changing the grumpiest Eeyores with "respectful, patient, persistence..." (246) resulting in miraculous spiritual transformations, overcoming past crippling separation anxieties.
U can't be too too too harsh on the Eeyores of the world (or even the boring stinky Poohs...) because even the stupids deserve big kindness.
"Great men play like a child and attracts... like ... a... woman." (243)
Taoist sensitivity is cooperation and the greatest men both retain and respect the child's mind.
"You see the postman carries a large sack." (98)
Educator Eeyores crack down, whereas ur response should be to... crack up! It's just oh so difficult to sumtimes control those oh so intense Tigger brain impulses...
"a Very bouncy Animal" (88)
"The suspense was becoming unbearable..." (114)
"Pardon me for a moment. This letter just arrived." (60)
Once Piglet finally opened the special letter, Piglet eventually realized it's okay to let go and finally be free once in a while to transfer sum of those negative signs into positive... fun action. :)
"Sing ho! for Piglet, ho! Ho!" (239)
Hypothetically, it should be totes possible 2 attract positive energy with positive energy to restore the "wellness of truth" (16) with some ripe Gandhi patience, smart bravery, and finally maybe even an abundant supply of beautiful authentic smiles if u truly did actually wish for it...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2010
At first I enjoyed it for what I was learning about Chinese philosophy. But then he gets very political about current events in 1992, which, while also being outdated now, are not as relevant to the timeless themes he is discussing as he would think. He gets on his soapbox about his personal views, which I also see as off target and an annoyance. I wanted to read about Te and it’s relationship to Piglet, not on how he feels all the past presidents have overlooked environmental protection. Actually, if he simply mentioned that it wouldn’t be so bad. But he gets on such a strong winded tangent with the details that no one, over 10 years later, are going to be impressed by what he is referencing.
He has made this book outdated and so I would not necessarily recommend it to anyone. Plus, his view is so negative. I prefer a loving, soft, I’m okay you’re okay, we are all trying type of approach. His stance is very accusatory about the western world in modern times. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.
He has made this book outdated and so I would not necessarily recommend it to anyone. Plus, his view is so negative. I prefer a loving, soft, I’m okay you’re okay, we are all trying type of approach. His stance is very accusatory about the western world in modern times. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.
April 11, 2014
I threw this book across the room. Didactic and annoying. You'd do much better to read Winnie the Pooh in the original.
July 30, 2019
Note: if you want to just read about this book's depiction of Piglet (who is, you know, in the title), skip to the paragraphs that start with the bolded "what about Piglet?"
A few weeks ago, after finishing The Tao of Pooh, I went onto GoodReads to look at the general reviews: many were in line with what I was thinking, with most of the more negative views going towards Benjamin Hoff's apparent anti-science, anti-intellectual views expressed through the book. I could not deny any of that, though for me, that type of thinking appeared minimal during my reading of The Tao of Pooh, and so didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the experience. It was great reading about one of my favorite childhood characters in a new light, one that praised him and showed some subliminal wisdom that can hold true even decades after the book's initial publishing.
I so wish I could say the same about Hoff's followup book, The Te of Piglet. I truly do. But the complaints that readers had about the first installment show up again in this unofficial sequel, to a vehement degree that I can't ignore this time around. How so? Let me attempt to explain:
As in his first installment, Hoff explains aspects of Taoism through the lens of A. A. Milne's iconic Winnie the Pooh characters, this time with a focus on Piglet as being the embodiment of the Taoist Te, "virtue in action" or "virtue of the small". This quality attracts more in-depth explanation as the narrative continues in order to highlight the small, often-nervous Piglet as embodying this aspect more than any other character in Milne's verse. However, as with The Tao of Pooh, this type of explanation gets bogged down or almost forgotten about altogether in favor of exploring the negative qualities of other inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood: namely Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger. Hoff symbolizes each character as embodying something quite cynical about the world, particularly the Western world, at large: Eeyore, the ever-cynical depressive; Rabbit, the intellectual too concerned with being in control all the time; Owl, the other intellectual too full of pomposity to actually do anything; and Tigger, the hyper-enthusiast who looks (or jumps) before he leaps, causing disaster. I understand the use of these characters in The Tao of Pooh, as they often sharply contrast with the simple humility of Pooh Bear. However, in The Te of Piglet, not only are these characters and their flaws reiterated once again, they are also fully doubled down on in excess, with much more overt political messages needlessly attached.
A particular standout is Eeyore, who once again has an entire chapter dedicated to him. Before, Hoff showcased Eeyore as a general case of overwhelming cynicism that dampens the need for action. Now, Eeyore becomes a stand-in for a number of political adversaries, from the modern (Western) education system (called "Iron Fist educators") to second-wave feminists (here termed "Eeyore Amazons"). The latter in case in particular is what tipped me off to something going wrong with the book (warning: wall of text incoming): Hoff goes into page after page railing against feminists of the time, about how they're denying their femininity by "covet[ing] masculinity", how they "imitate and increase the worst sort of masculine energy" while simultaneously "denouc[ing] practically everything they dislike as masculine and a threat--to the extent of seeing masculinity and threats that aren't there".
Well gee, what kind of threats? Sexual harrassment and assault? Unequal pay? Stereotyped portrayals in the media? None of those--just the general questioning of gendered nouns (e.g., changing "congressman" to "congressperson") and some women keeping their maiden names when they marry (which Hoff likens to "well, those names came from their own fathers, so they're not really feminists", nevermind the fact that you can adopt whatever name you like as your own and names are a large part of your identity)*. All of this Hoff points to as a lagging "respect for the feminine", because questioning gendered norms of patriarchal society is utterly "masculine"; to be truly "feminine", you must be passive and unquestioning, gentle and kind at all times and never ever get angry. Else all those men will say "We don't have to be nice to them [women] anymore"** and the "Eeyore Amazons" will be to blame, all you silly women who are ruining society by questioning the sexism in the original Chivalric code***.
*To which he goes on to write "And why are words so important to them, anyway?" Dude, you're a writer who just 10 pages previously had an imaginary argument with Winnie the Pooh over what he heard was "ostracized" or "ostrich-sized", with you getting clearly frustrated over Pooh insisting on the latter. Why is this word so important to you, anyway?
**Seriously, that's an IRL comment said to Hoff after a rude remark to a secretary, basically saying "We're allowed to be misogynistic because some women want to use a variety of pronouns".
***He continues to illuminate that the "code of chivalry makes kindness, consideration, and respect fashionable, and makes it admirable and desirable for the advantaged to assist the disadvantaged". While there is truth to that, Hoff ignores that when second-wave feminists object to chivalry, it's the more popular Western perception of chivalry making men into the inherent saviors of women, because women are too delicate to do anything on their own. Not to the idea of helping the economic/socially disadvantaged or having men as allies, but to the notion of "men must always save women", placing an undue burden onto both men and women.
To all of this, I keep saying: so what? Why does this bother you so much? You're worried about the downfall of society, sure, but you're going to lay the blame on deconstructive feminism? This may have all made much more sense in 1992, but today in 2019 this is all laughable at best. Lord only knows how Hoff would react to the idea of gender-neutral terms/pronouns or transgender people taking down the notion of a gender binary. (I imagine a scenario in which Hoff reacts to a transgendered person coming out: "Now, Bob, you're just confused. You're simply not accepting The Way Things Are^TM by rejecting your masculinity that nature intended for you. We simply can't call you "she" or "her" or "Lisa" or--why are you so upset? Why are you so focused on words anyway, they all mean the same?")
It doesn't stop there. Chapter after chapter follow, often focusing on other characters and how they correlate to a real hot-button issue that Hoff doesn't like, heaping on more and more negativity all the while. And what really gets me is that sometimes he will make some good points, like about the over-testing environment of the education system, or companies polluting the environment in order to make a quick buck. However, all of these salient points are buried under a thick layer of smug condescension, holding Taoism, and by association China, as the be-all, end-all, while also denying the worth of modern science.
And here's what really goads me about this--many of the facts Hoff spouts off to support his conclusions are based on scientific research! The list of dates showcasing the aftereffects of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Bikini Atoll, as well as nuclear plant meltdowns like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl could not have been garnished without careful research akin to what certain intellectuals would do. The statistics he lists about international environmental degradation and the growing hole in the ozone layer above Southern Chile could not have been replicated without the modern scientific research at the time. Not to mention, look at how Hoff describes how Taoists come to observe and conclude phenomena:
"In that Pooishly humble incident, one can see all the elements of pure science as practiced by the Taoists: the chance occurrence, the observant and inquisitive mind, deduction of the principles involved, application of those principles, modification of materials, and a new practice or way of doing things."
That's--that's the scientific method. You know, the one taught to all school children in the US? The fundamentals behind trying to see what goes on in the world and what would happen if I/we/this thing did x under y conditions? The basics of observing something and asking questions and following through to see what will happen and then proceeding to ask more questions based on the results? And yet, you still proceed to bash modern Western scientists for doing much of the same thing your average Taoist apparently does. You know, the modern scientists making research that you incorporate into the book alongside Taoist literature and Milne's original stories!
Now, I'm not trying to claim that some white guy from Anglo-centric Europe should have sole credit for the scientific method or anything. As Hoff goes on to explain, there are plenty of non-white cultures that contributed greatly to human progression, while also far ahead of various European scientists. However, it's one thing to acknowledge the limitless contributions across international cultures and quite another thing to bash the institution of science as a whole in favor of a stilted view of one country, namely China in this book. Hoff even holds up modern China as an ideal to follow, especially in its educational system and ways of respecting the environment. Considering the current problems the country is facing in those areas (see: the ever-increasing air pollution levels in China's industrialized cities, the limits of teaching critical thinking in Chinese classrooms, the intense college admissions exams in the Gaokao leading to an increase in student suicide rates) as well as the current administration's proliferation of human rights abuses, I would not advisably hold up China as an exemplary, positive model, not even in 1992.
And I'm not saying that the US is exemplary in any of those areas either. Whether it's us, China, or any other region, human society still has many areas in which to progress, in an ever-changing and environmentally-fraught world. The point is that despite Hoff's insistence on a Taoist balance, he fails to see beyond a binary where "this is good and this is bad", even when he ironically inserts a story that argues the opposite.
So now, you may be wondering: what about Piglet?
And here's my most basic problem with this book: despite what the title says, this book has much less Piglet than expected. The Te of Piglet is even longer than The Tao of Pooh, yet spends much less on its title character than the latter does. Which is quite a shame, because whenever the chapters turn to focusing on Piglet, the book shines. Hoff states that Piglet is his favorite of Milne's characters, a sentiment that I share wholeheartedly. As a young girl who was often nervous and shy around others, I identified with Piglet strongly. Whether in the pages of Milne or the cartoons of Disney, Piglet was usually the smallest and most fearful, yet his inner strength and loyalty towards his friends made him one of the most relatable beings in the Hundred Acre Woods. Whenever I picture Piglet, I can see just what Hoff means by "virtue of the small", of the ones often overlooked by higher institutions but who shine nevertheless.
Yet Hoff, despite his love for Piglet, rarely focuses on that. Instead, he bashes other characters as stand-ins for his real-life gripes. Even Pooh comes across much less favorably than in Hoff's previous installment, seeming more stupid here than simple and humble. And sometimes when he does focus on Piglet, he misses the point in order to tend to the idea of Gaia's revenge--no seriously, here's what he writes about how "our planet takes action to cast out its man-made poisons and heal its man-caused wounds" (so basically global warming):
"But in reality we are the most fortunate generation since recorded human history began. For when the necessary cleansing is over, we will witness a magical transformation of the world around us by the forces of the earth. And we will see for ourselves what the ancient Taoists meant by the Age of Perfect Virtue. When the remains of today's anti-earth civilization have been cleared away, we will find ourselves in the state of paradise that existed before the Great Separation occurred...And the Day of Piglet will be here."
So basically, the apocalyptic levels of human suffering currently ongoing that are due to increase once it's too late to stop the human effects on global warming, and the environmental and human devastation that occurs after the global temperatures rise and the ice-caps melt? Those are all good things, you see, ones that embody the virtues of young Piglet, now apparently the Harbinger of Doom. Nevermind the fact that everyone, from plants to animals to humans, will suffer as a result, most notably the most down-trodden (and thus, most Piglet) of society, surely we are the "most fortunate generation" due to this.
By the end of this book, I am tired. I am left angry, confused, irritated, and exhausted. But mostly, I'm left disappointed. I may not know much about Taoism, but I'm pretty sure Taoists deserve better than this. A. A. Milne deserves better than this.
Piglet deserves better than this.
A few weeks ago, after finishing The Tao of Pooh, I went onto GoodReads to look at the general reviews: many were in line with what I was thinking, with most of the more negative views going towards Benjamin Hoff's apparent anti-science, anti-intellectual views expressed through the book. I could not deny any of that, though for me, that type of thinking appeared minimal during my reading of The Tao of Pooh, and so didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the experience. It was great reading about one of my favorite childhood characters in a new light, one that praised him and showed some subliminal wisdom that can hold true even decades after the book's initial publishing.
I so wish I could say the same about Hoff's followup book, The Te of Piglet. I truly do. But the complaints that readers had about the first installment show up again in this unofficial sequel, to a vehement degree that I can't ignore this time around. How so? Let me attempt to explain:
As in his first installment, Hoff explains aspects of Taoism through the lens of A. A. Milne's iconic Winnie the Pooh characters, this time with a focus on Piglet as being the embodiment of the Taoist Te, "virtue in action" or "virtue of the small". This quality attracts more in-depth explanation as the narrative continues in order to highlight the small, often-nervous Piglet as embodying this aspect more than any other character in Milne's verse. However, as with The Tao of Pooh, this type of explanation gets bogged down or almost forgotten about altogether in favor of exploring the negative qualities of other inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood: namely Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger. Hoff symbolizes each character as embodying something quite cynical about the world, particularly the Western world, at large: Eeyore, the ever-cynical depressive; Rabbit, the intellectual too concerned with being in control all the time; Owl, the other intellectual too full of pomposity to actually do anything; and Tigger, the hyper-enthusiast who looks (or jumps) before he leaps, causing disaster. I understand the use of these characters in The Tao of Pooh, as they often sharply contrast with the simple humility of Pooh Bear. However, in The Te of Piglet, not only are these characters and their flaws reiterated once again, they are also fully doubled down on in excess, with much more overt political messages needlessly attached.
A particular standout is Eeyore, who once again has an entire chapter dedicated to him. Before, Hoff showcased Eeyore as a general case of overwhelming cynicism that dampens the need for action. Now, Eeyore becomes a stand-in for a number of political adversaries, from the modern (Western) education system (called "Iron Fist educators") to second-wave feminists (here termed "Eeyore Amazons"). The latter in case in particular is what tipped me off to something going wrong with the book (warning: wall of text incoming): Hoff goes into page after page railing against feminists of the time, about how they're denying their femininity by "covet[ing] masculinity", how they "imitate and increase the worst sort of masculine energy" while simultaneously "denouc[ing] practically everything they dislike as masculine and a threat--to the extent of seeing masculinity and threats that aren't there".
Well gee, what kind of threats? Sexual harrassment and assault? Unequal pay? Stereotyped portrayals in the media? None of those--just the general questioning of gendered nouns (e.g., changing "congressman" to "congressperson") and some women keeping their maiden names when they marry (which Hoff likens to "well, those names came from their own fathers, so they're not really feminists", nevermind the fact that you can adopt whatever name you like as your own and names are a large part of your identity)*. All of this Hoff points to as a lagging "respect for the feminine", because questioning gendered norms of patriarchal society is utterly "masculine"; to be truly "feminine", you must be passive and unquestioning, gentle and kind at all times and never ever get angry. Else all those men will say "We don't have to be nice to them [women] anymore"** and the "Eeyore Amazons" will be to blame, all you silly women who are ruining society by questioning the sexism in the original Chivalric code***.
*To which he goes on to write "And why are words so important to them, anyway?" Dude, you're a writer who just 10 pages previously had an imaginary argument with Winnie the Pooh over what he heard was "ostracized" or "ostrich-sized", with you getting clearly frustrated over Pooh insisting on the latter. Why is this word so important to you, anyway?
**Seriously, that's an IRL comment said to Hoff after a rude remark to a secretary, basically saying "We're allowed to be misogynistic because some women want to use a variety of pronouns".
***He continues to illuminate that the "code of chivalry makes kindness, consideration, and respect fashionable, and makes it admirable and desirable for the advantaged to assist the disadvantaged". While there is truth to that, Hoff ignores that when second-wave feminists object to chivalry, it's the more popular Western perception of chivalry making men into the inherent saviors of women, because women are too delicate to do anything on their own. Not to the idea of helping the economic/socially disadvantaged or having men as allies, but to the notion of "men must always save women", placing an undue burden onto both men and women.
To all of this, I keep saying: so what? Why does this bother you so much? You're worried about the downfall of society, sure, but you're going to lay the blame on deconstructive feminism? This may have all made much more sense in 1992, but today in 2019 this is all laughable at best. Lord only knows how Hoff would react to the idea of gender-neutral terms/pronouns or transgender people taking down the notion of a gender binary. (I imagine a scenario in which Hoff reacts to a transgendered person coming out: "Now, Bob, you're just confused. You're simply not accepting The Way Things Are^TM by rejecting your masculinity that nature intended for you. We simply can't call you "she" or "her" or "Lisa" or--why are you so upset? Why are you so focused on words anyway, they all mean the same?")
It doesn't stop there. Chapter after chapter follow, often focusing on other characters and how they correlate to a real hot-button issue that Hoff doesn't like, heaping on more and more negativity all the while. And what really gets me is that sometimes he will make some good points, like about the over-testing environment of the education system, or companies polluting the environment in order to make a quick buck. However, all of these salient points are buried under a thick layer of smug condescension, holding Taoism, and by association China, as the be-all, end-all, while also denying the worth of modern science.
And here's what really goads me about this--many of the facts Hoff spouts off to support his conclusions are based on scientific research! The list of dates showcasing the aftereffects of nuclear bombs in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and the Bikini Atoll, as well as nuclear plant meltdowns like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl could not have been garnished without careful research akin to what certain intellectuals would do. The statistics he lists about international environmental degradation and the growing hole in the ozone layer above Southern Chile could not have been replicated without the modern scientific research at the time. Not to mention, look at how Hoff describes how Taoists come to observe and conclude phenomena:
"In that Pooishly humble incident, one can see all the elements of pure science as practiced by the Taoists: the chance occurrence, the observant and inquisitive mind, deduction of the principles involved, application of those principles, modification of materials, and a new practice or way of doing things."
That's--that's the scientific method. You know, the one taught to all school children in the US? The fundamentals behind trying to see what goes on in the world and what would happen if I/we/this thing did x under y conditions? The basics of observing something and asking questions and following through to see what will happen and then proceeding to ask more questions based on the results? And yet, you still proceed to bash modern Western scientists for doing much of the same thing your average Taoist apparently does. You know, the modern scientists making research that you incorporate into the book alongside Taoist literature and Milne's original stories!
Now, I'm not trying to claim that some white guy from Anglo-centric Europe should have sole credit for the scientific method or anything. As Hoff goes on to explain, there are plenty of non-white cultures that contributed greatly to human progression, while also far ahead of various European scientists. However, it's one thing to acknowledge the limitless contributions across international cultures and quite another thing to bash the institution of science as a whole in favor of a stilted view of one country, namely China in this book. Hoff even holds up modern China as an ideal to follow, especially in its educational system and ways of respecting the environment. Considering the current problems the country is facing in those areas (see: the ever-increasing air pollution levels in China's industrialized cities, the limits of teaching critical thinking in Chinese classrooms, the intense college admissions exams in the Gaokao leading to an increase in student suicide rates) as well as the current administration's proliferation of human rights abuses, I would not advisably hold up China as an exemplary, positive model, not even in 1992.
And I'm not saying that the US is exemplary in any of those areas either. Whether it's us, China, or any other region, human society still has many areas in which to progress, in an ever-changing and environmentally-fraught world. The point is that despite Hoff's insistence on a Taoist balance, he fails to see beyond a binary where "this is good and this is bad", even when he ironically inserts a story that argues the opposite.
So now, you may be wondering: what about Piglet?
And here's my most basic problem with this book: despite what the title says, this book has much less Piglet than expected. The Te of Piglet is even longer than The Tao of Pooh, yet spends much less on its title character than the latter does. Which is quite a shame, because whenever the chapters turn to focusing on Piglet, the book shines. Hoff states that Piglet is his favorite of Milne's characters, a sentiment that I share wholeheartedly. As a young girl who was often nervous and shy around others, I identified with Piglet strongly. Whether in the pages of Milne or the cartoons of Disney, Piglet was usually the smallest and most fearful, yet his inner strength and loyalty towards his friends made him one of the most relatable beings in the Hundred Acre Woods. Whenever I picture Piglet, I can see just what Hoff means by "virtue of the small", of the ones often overlooked by higher institutions but who shine nevertheless.
Yet Hoff, despite his love for Piglet, rarely focuses on that. Instead, he bashes other characters as stand-ins for his real-life gripes. Even Pooh comes across much less favorably than in Hoff's previous installment, seeming more stupid here than simple and humble. And sometimes when he does focus on Piglet, he misses the point in order to tend to the idea of Gaia's revenge--no seriously, here's what he writes about how "our planet takes action to cast out its man-made poisons and heal its man-caused wounds" (so basically global warming):
"But in reality we are the most fortunate generation since recorded human history began. For when the necessary cleansing is over, we will witness a magical transformation of the world around us by the forces of the earth. And we will see for ourselves what the ancient Taoists meant by the Age of Perfect Virtue. When the remains of today's anti-earth civilization have been cleared away, we will find ourselves in the state of paradise that existed before the Great Separation occurred...And the Day of Piglet will be here."
So basically, the apocalyptic levels of human suffering currently ongoing that are due to increase once it's too late to stop the human effects on global warming, and the environmental and human devastation that occurs after the global temperatures rise and the ice-caps melt? Those are all good things, you see, ones that embody the virtues of young Piglet, now apparently the Harbinger of Doom. Nevermind the fact that everyone, from plants to animals to humans, will suffer as a result, most notably the most down-trodden (and thus, most Piglet) of society, surely we are the "most fortunate generation" due to this.
By the end of this book, I am tired. I am left angry, confused, irritated, and exhausted. But mostly, I'm left disappointed. I may not know much about Taoism, but I'm pretty sure Taoists deserve better than this. A. A. Milne deserves better than this.
Piglet deserves better than this.
May 1, 2021
“Her birimizin içinde mutsuz olmak isteyen bir parça var. Bu parçamız, o sırada var olmayan ama çoğu zaman sonunda gerçeğe dönüşmesine sebep olan hayali problemler yaratıyor. Ya da zaten orada olan sorunları abartıyor. Kendine ve başkalarına olan güveni düşürüyor. Çalışmadaki gururu, düzeni ve saflığı yok ediyor. Sıradan toplantıları mücadelelere, beklentileri dehşete, fırsatları tehlikelere, kilometre taşlarını tökezleme taşlarına dönüştürüyor.”
Eeyore Etkisi adlı bölümdeki bu alıntı bugünkü insanı o kadar güzel anlatmış ki, üzerine düşünüp nasıl akışta kalacağımızın yollarını aramak için harekete geçmemiz gerektiğini söylüyor.
“Ya olsaydı senaryosu seni rahatsız etmeye başladığında onun gözlerine bak ve şu soruyu sor “Olabilecek en kötü şey nedir?” ve cevabına bir bak, sonra kendine bir sor “Bunun için ne yapabilirim?” Her zaman yapabileceğin bir şey olduğunu göreceksin. Böylece her durumda mücadele için gücün olduğunu farkedeceksin ve son olarak tüm korkularının yok olduğuna şahit olacaksın.”
Taoist bakış açısıyla doğanın ve insanın halini de oldukça güzel incelemiş yazarın hepimiz gibi bu iki unsur arasındaki kopukluktan şikayetçi ve ancak insana dair tespit ve görüşleri birçoğumuzun katılacağı türden. İlham alıcacak satırları ve güzel alıntıları var.
Kitabın başından sonuna değindiği bir noktayı ise unutmamamız gereken bir alıntı ile anlatıyor:
“Büyük adam içindeki çocuk zihni saklayandır. Meng-tzu”
Eeyore Etkisi adlı bölümdeki bu alıntı bugünkü insanı o kadar güzel anlatmış ki, üzerine düşünüp nasıl akışta kalacağımızın yollarını aramak için harekete geçmemiz gerektiğini söylüyor.
“Ya olsaydı senaryosu seni rahatsız etmeye başladığında onun gözlerine bak ve şu soruyu sor “Olabilecek en kötü şey nedir?” ve cevabına bir bak, sonra kendine bir sor “Bunun için ne yapabilirim?” Her zaman yapabileceğin bir şey olduğunu göreceksin. Böylece her durumda mücadele için gücün olduğunu farkedeceksin ve son olarak tüm korkularının yok olduğuna şahit olacaksın.”
Taoist bakış açısıyla doğanın ve insanın halini de oldukça güzel incelemiş yazarın hepimiz gibi bu iki unsur arasındaki kopukluktan şikayetçi ve ancak insana dair tespit ve görüşleri birçoğumuzun katılacağı türden. İlham alıcacak satırları ve güzel alıntıları var.
Kitabın başından sonuna değindiği bir noktayı ise unutmamamız gereken bir alıntı ile anlatıyor:
“Büyük adam içindeki çocuk zihni saklayandır. Meng-tzu”
August 26, 2010
The book is supposed to demonstrate how Piglet in the original A.A. Milne writings personified Te, or 'Virtue in Action'.
To illustrate this the author wrote a bunch of new situations for Piglet. Which defeats the entire purpose, since it forces Piglet into the mold for the philosophy instead of showing how he already conforms to it.
The author also spends a lot of time explaining how the world is in poor shape due to the "Eeyores" who complain about how the world is doomed instead of seeing things as they really are.
He then writes a final chapter explaining how the world is doomed, and everything is going to fall apart, and Western Civilization sucks and there's no hope for anything and if only people had listened to Tao and Te things would have turned out much better.
Even I who agree (mostly), with his political and philosophical viewpoints, couldn't help feeling the book was self-righteous and superior-than-thou. He makes a few decent points but he defends them with poor logic and with 'examples' he made up himself.
To illustrate this the author wrote a bunch of new situations for Piglet. Which defeats the entire purpose, since it forces Piglet into the mold for the philosophy instead of showing how he already conforms to it.
The author also spends a lot of time explaining how the world is in poor shape due to the "Eeyores" who complain about how the world is doomed instead of seeing things as they really are.
He then writes a final chapter explaining how the world is doomed, and everything is going to fall apart, and Western Civilization sucks and there's no hope for anything and if only people had listened to Tao and Te things would have turned out much better.
Even I who agree (mostly), with his political and philosophical viewpoints, couldn't help feeling the book was self-righteous and superior-than-thou. He makes a few decent points but he defends them with poor logic and with 'examples' he made up himself.
September 24, 2008
All I can say is Hoff is so full of himself, and full of shit, I can't believe it. The only thing that is good in his two books is when he refers to actual stories from taoist history. Everything he fills in is half right and half wrong and as a good friend of mine always says, "If you're Buddhism (Taoism) is half right, then it's all wrong.
When it comes down to it, Hoff doesn't convey the real meaning behind Taoism. He gives a watered down version of what he likes about it. He doesn't tell you the important things that make the religion/ thought experiment so exciting. The Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet are cheeky self help books that can be put on the same shelf as How to lose 50 pounds in a Month, or Feel Good Today. They sound great, but there's no real substance. How do you lose 50 pounds in a month? Run 5 miles every day and don't eat 5000 calories a day. How do you meld your being with the flow of all life? Practice like a motherfucker to teach yourself how to deal with the shitty reality of an existence that is essential meaningless, but simultaneously beautiful and miraculous. Hoff tells you to chill out and let the good times roll. He forgets about all the people that do get hurt from half-assing a way of life that can change the world when practiced with patience and concentration. Just look at Kerouac and his ridiculous lifestyle in Dharma Bums. They missed the point, they took what they wanted and through the rest away, and that doesn't work. If you teach people incorrectly, they won't learn, and they'll hurt themselves and others.
That is my beef. Stick to the Lao-tzu and the Chuang-Tzu. Those stories are great and hilarious and insightful. It is not easy to change, and no one says you have to. If you change you change, if you don't you don't. Forget every day... every second is another chance to begin again.
And remember, we're all on the Path, unfortunately not everyone can see it.
When it comes down to it, Hoff doesn't convey the real meaning behind Taoism. He gives a watered down version of what he likes about it. He doesn't tell you the important things that make the religion/ thought experiment so exciting. The Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet are cheeky self help books that can be put on the same shelf as How to lose 50 pounds in a Month, or Feel Good Today. They sound great, but there's no real substance. How do you lose 50 pounds in a month? Run 5 miles every day and don't eat 5000 calories a day. How do you meld your being with the flow of all life? Practice like a motherfucker to teach yourself how to deal with the shitty reality of an existence that is essential meaningless, but simultaneously beautiful and miraculous. Hoff tells you to chill out and let the good times roll. He forgets about all the people that do get hurt from half-assing a way of life that can change the world when practiced with patience and concentration. Just look at Kerouac and his ridiculous lifestyle in Dharma Bums. They missed the point, they took what they wanted and through the rest away, and that doesn't work. If you teach people incorrectly, they won't learn, and they'll hurt themselves and others.
That is my beef. Stick to the Lao-tzu and the Chuang-Tzu. Those stories are great and hilarious and insightful. It is not easy to change, and no one says you have to. If you change you change, if you don't you don't. Forget every day... every second is another chance to begin again.
And remember, we're all on the Path, unfortunately not everyone can see it.
September 12, 2016
2.5 stars...I don't know, this sequel just didn't do it for me. I loved the first book, absolutely loved it, but this one seemed...lacking somehow.
July 28, 2010
After reading "The Tao of Pooh," I was disappointed in "The Te of Piglet." It seemed to me that the author used this "companion" book as a way to espouse his personal opinions that may or may not be supported by Taoist thought. Although I agreed with many of them (and thought others were ignorant and ill-informed), I was not pleased that they were seemingly forced on me when I least expected it. This was not what I hoped to gain from reading this book.
December 2, 2025
This is the second book in this series after 'The Tao of Pooh'.
Taoism is a way of living in harmony with Tao, the Way of the Universe, the character of which is revealed in the workings of the natural world. In China, Taoism is what might be called the counterbalance of Confucianism. Taoism is emotional, happy, serene - like its favourite symbol, flowing water.
The 'Te' of the title is pronounced DEH, in classical Chinese, and it is written two ways. The first way joins the character for "upright" to the character for "heart". Its meaning is virtue. The second way adds the character for "left foot", which in Chinese signifies "stepping out". Its meaning is virtue in action.
This book is concerned with the transformation of Virtue into Virtue Stepping Out and as you will have gathered in the Pooh books it is Piglet who undergoes this transformation.
The Te of Piglet uses events in both Winnie the Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner to illustrate how Piglet makes the transformation and to educate the reader about Taoism.
It's a very effective way to inform readers about Taoism as very few people aren't charmed by AA Milne's characters in these books. It's also a chance to reevaluate some of the other characters from the AA Milne books - I'd forgotten that Rabbit tried to make Kanga leave the wood by having Roo kidnapped. He also tried to lose Tigger in the woods towards the end of House at Pooh Corner as he was fed up with Tigger's bounciness. In the end, Rabbit got lost in the woods and Tigger rescued him.
I wonder which Chinese philosophy could be applied to Tigger and Eeyore?
Taoism is a way of living in harmony with Tao, the Way of the Universe, the character of which is revealed in the workings of the natural world. In China, Taoism is what might be called the counterbalance of Confucianism. Taoism is emotional, happy, serene - like its favourite symbol, flowing water.
The 'Te' of the title is pronounced DEH, in classical Chinese, and it is written two ways. The first way joins the character for "upright" to the character for "heart". Its meaning is virtue. The second way adds the character for "left foot", which in Chinese signifies "stepping out". Its meaning is virtue in action.
This book is concerned with the transformation of Virtue into Virtue Stepping Out and as you will have gathered in the Pooh books it is Piglet who undergoes this transformation.
The Te of Piglet uses events in both Winnie the Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner to illustrate how Piglet makes the transformation and to educate the reader about Taoism.
It's a very effective way to inform readers about Taoism as very few people aren't charmed by AA Milne's characters in these books. It's also a chance to reevaluate some of the other characters from the AA Milne books - I'd forgotten that Rabbit tried to make Kanga leave the wood by having Roo kidnapped. He also tried to lose Tigger in the woods towards the end of House at Pooh Corner as he was fed up with Tigger's bounciness. In the end, Rabbit got lost in the woods and Tigger rescued him.
I wonder which Chinese philosophy could be applied to Tigger and Eeyore?
June 5, 2015
I would like to know how Hoff got permission to commandeer all the Ernest K. Shepherd illustrations, and use Milne's characters for a book that has really nothing to do with the work of either artist. Obviously he must have paid for the privilege; but why was his money accepted? Perhaps because the heirs of Shepherd and Milne no longer care (there is, after all, the whole Disney thing) or because it's no longer about the people, but the corporate interests. (There is, after all, the whole Disney thing). Maybe the rights don't belong to a real person anymore.
In any case, this book is enormously self-serving, self-centred and self-indulgent. I liked the first bit, but the further I got into it, the more I found myself thinking "Wait--what?" Rather like Piglet when he was running through the wood with his balloon and felldowngoBOOM. By the time Hoff got to the purported deleterious effects of microwaves on our food and computer screens on our bodies, I was shaking my head. He doesn't seem to have internalised anything he himself says (at great length) about the Critics who Set Themselves Up as Judge and Jury on All Things. Um, yeah--just like Hoff.
The Seventies became the Nineties. Which have nearly become the 2020s. Unlike the base texts which Hoff purports to base this 250 page rant on (Chinese as well as British), The RanTe of Hoff will not be an enduring classic. It doesn't even bear re-reading.
If you want to learn about Piglet's worldview, you can't do better than to read him as Milne wrote him. We who have known and loved him since we were very young don't need the filter of someone else's pseudophilosophical ruminations (ie, things that make you throw up in your mouth a little) to appreciate him as he really is. The same might be said for Taoist thought. Not that I'm an expert by any means, but one wonders how much Hoff actually knows about Chinese people and how they really see the world. He seems to idealise and romanticise his idea of "their" thought to an inordinate degree, without really being aware of what's going on on that side of the world.
I wonder what the Chinese think of him. Oh, right--they don't know he exists.
Hardly surprising.
In any case, this book is enormously self-serving, self-centred and self-indulgent. I liked the first bit, but the further I got into it, the more I found myself thinking "Wait--what?" Rather like Piglet when he was running through the wood with his balloon and felldowngoBOOM. By the time Hoff got to the purported deleterious effects of microwaves on our food and computer screens on our bodies, I was shaking my head. He doesn't seem to have internalised anything he himself says (at great length) about the Critics who Set Themselves Up as Judge and Jury on All Things. Um, yeah--just like Hoff.
The Seventies became the Nineties. Which have nearly become the 2020s. Unlike the base texts which Hoff purports to base this 250 page rant on (Chinese as well as British), The RanTe of Hoff will not be an enduring classic. It doesn't even bear re-reading.
If you want to learn about Piglet's worldview, you can't do better than to read him as Milne wrote him. We who have known and loved him since we were very young don't need the filter of someone else's pseudophilosophical ruminations (ie, things that make you throw up in your mouth a little) to appreciate him as he really is. The same might be said for Taoist thought. Not that I'm an expert by any means, but one wonders how much Hoff actually knows about Chinese people and how they really see the world. He seems to idealise and romanticise his idea of "their" thought to an inordinate degree, without really being aware of what's going on on that side of the world.
I wonder what the Chinese think of him. Oh, right--they don't know he exists.
Hardly surprising.
January 29, 2012
Yikes. I had hoped that Hoff would grow in the ten years after Tao of Pooh. He did: he grew batshit.
Hoff starts with a good-old-days rant about Man living in Harmony with Nature and Spirits and whatnot before a Great Separation which caused deserts to form and violence and Confucianism. Tin foil hat territory. I had to reread parts of it to see if he really meant all that... and as best I can tell, he does. Maybe in the second half of the book he goes ha-ha just kidding. I don't plan to find out.
Piglet and his mafioso bodyguard wander through periodically. Then some ravings about news media and about the American educational system.
I give up. I don't want my experience of Winnie-the-Pooh soiled by paranoid ramblings.
Hoff starts with a good-old-days rant about Man living in Harmony with Nature and Spirits and whatnot before a Great Separation which caused deserts to form and violence and Confucianism. Tin foil hat territory. I had to reread parts of it to see if he really meant all that... and as best I can tell, he does. Maybe in the second half of the book he goes ha-ha just kidding. I don't plan to find out.
Piglet and his mafioso bodyguard wander through periodically. Then some ravings about news media and about the American educational system.
I give up. I don't want my experience of Winnie-the-Pooh soiled by paranoid ramblings.
July 19, 2024
I was really looking forward to this considering how great "The Tao of Pooh" was. Alas, lighting does not strike twice! I was enchanted by the premise of considering Piglet's "Virtue of the Small" & "Virtue in Action." But I was saddened to receive very little insight on Piglet (thought there are some adorable illustrations.) Instead, Hoff rambled against the Eeyore's and Tigger's and their faults, and societies faults, and why we are screwed. Perhaps the most disheartening was that Pooh was cast as just dull. The enchantment of a lush allegory and elucidation of The Way was gone. There were some redeeming moments, but they were much fewer and farther apart than in the from his previous work.
But, it was somewhat pleasing to hear someone riled up for the current issues of the early 90's -- how it sounds, and how it has aged. But, it was longer focused on the the timeless, very much the current. The smallness of this is not Virtue.
Piglet remains adorable though! And I'll keep on considering the original mission, of finding virtue in the small, the anxious, the ever attempting and ever changing Piglet. Perhaps I'll should revisit "The House on Pooh Corner."
But, it was somewhat pleasing to hear someone riled up for the current issues of the early 90's -- how it sounds, and how it has aged. But, it was longer focused on the the timeless, very much the current. The smallness of this is not Virtue.
Piglet remains adorable though! And I'll keep on considering the original mission, of finding virtue in the small, the anxious, the ever attempting and ever changing Piglet. Perhaps I'll should revisit "The House on Pooh Corner."
June 6, 2012
This book is about 100 pages, give or take, larger than the first book on the subject matter by Hoff, The Tao of Pooh. While explaining the principles of Taoism through stories from A.A. Milne and crafting new dialogue for the characters still works, it is far less a part of this book than the previous. In fact, this book tends to go off into explanation far more than crafting examples using the character.
But the single unforgivable part of this book is the large amount of soap box talk the author throws in to the book. He has a clear stance on government and social issues going on at the time of his writing the book and he uses points between talking over principles to...well rage on about them.
Oh, and he basically claims a doomsday is coming.
The Tao of Pooh was a delightful introduction into the tenets of Taoism using timeless characters. This book takes a stab at doing it again with a little expansion, succeeds at points but mostly preaches to you. I have no problem with him sharing his views or believing that we have some kind of great transition coming in this world...but this was not the forum for it. Poorly played, author.
I highly recommend the Tao of Pooh. I only recommend this companion if you like being made uncomfortable and angry towards the ends of books.
But the single unforgivable part of this book is the large amount of soap box talk the author throws in to the book. He has a clear stance on government and social issues going on at the time of his writing the book and he uses points between talking over principles to...well rage on about them.
Oh, and he basically claims a doomsday is coming.
The Tao of Pooh was a delightful introduction into the tenets of Taoism using timeless characters. This book takes a stab at doing it again with a little expansion, succeeds at points but mostly preaches to you. I have no problem with him sharing his views or believing that we have some kind of great transition coming in this world...but this was not the forum for it. Poorly played, author.
I highly recommend the Tao of Pooh. I only recommend this companion if you like being made uncomfortable and angry towards the ends of books.
July 7, 2020
Though much more preachy that I was expecting, the fables and morals were thoughtfully written and kept me latched on. Within a society where technology is prioritize above all else, these words gave me a sense of comfort. I found many of my morals strengthen. Gentle reminders of how I want to live. In a world where everyone is trying to tell you how to live on social media, it was a breath of fresh air to remember the balance of life is within your control.
There were some chunks in which the author goes on a tangent regarding certain topics such as extreme feminism, environment etc. However if the reader chooses to focus on those issues they’ve missed the point. The underlying lesson in them is that extreme anything is probably un natural and causing you more trouble than worth.
Walk along side each other. As humans, with bugs, the trees and animals and you may just find the beauty in life you’ve been searching for.
There were some chunks in which the author goes on a tangent regarding certain topics such as extreme feminism, environment etc. However if the reader chooses to focus on those issues they’ve missed the point. The underlying lesson in them is that extreme anything is probably un natural and causing you more trouble than worth.
Walk along side each other. As humans, with bugs, the trees and animals and you may just find the beauty in life you’ve been searching for.
January 31, 2009
After reading this book, I cannot look back at The Tao of Pooh without thinking of Pooh an unthinking dimwit. The author, Hoff, tries to explain living with virtue and in harmony with the natural world or Te. Hoff, does a good job of using previously written works to illustrate his points, but comes short when using Milne's characters. In fact as the book went on, I began to dislike the character of little Piglet.
My major gripe with this book is that Ben Hoff decided to pull out his soapbox and get all spill his personal politics all over his book's information. I ended up skipping pages to get past Hoff's tirades on how we should live in sod houses eating only the twigs and berries that grow on our front lawns, and how all the world's problems would be solved by sitting in a drum circle or hunger strikes, hoping the rest of the world notices, a la Gandhi.
I can't be receptive to "do good things and good things will happen to you" and The Golden Rule, when I'm subjected to a hysterical ranting on how ashamed I should be for eating animal based protein in the same pararagraph.
My major gripe with this book is that Ben Hoff decided to pull out his soapbox and get all spill his personal politics all over his book's information. I ended up skipping pages to get past Hoff's tirades on how we should live in sod houses eating only the twigs and berries that grow on our front lawns, and how all the world's problems would be solved by sitting in a drum circle or hunger strikes, hoping the rest of the world notices, a la Gandhi.
I can't be receptive to "do good things and good things will happen to you" and The Golden Rule, when I'm subjected to a hysterical ranting on how ashamed I should be for eating animal based protein in the same pararagraph.
December 11, 2019
Similarly to The Tao of Pooh, The Te of Piglet has become one of the best books I've read up until now. I like to refer to Taoism as a 'lighter' approach to Stoicism, how Virtue is essential for a happy life, for an optimistic way to look at all things. Good things and bad - they're meant to be experienced and all experiences become who we are and who we're meant to be.
February 2, 2017
Not as good as the Tao of Pooh, I struggled to finish this book.
July 30, 2011
I really looked forward to this one. After just finishing the Tao of Pooh, I was in the mood, it was fresh in my mind, I was ready to put this in context with its companion. Unfortunately, the result was disappointing. The Te of Piglet began with a solid premise, however it failed to accomplish what it set out to do.
The premise is that Piglet represents Te, meaning "virtue in action." To be more specific it is the virtue that arises from the inner nature of things, a hidden potential, a spiritual strength that those who possess it are unaware of. This is the virtue of the small---which is where Piglet fits in.
So I bought the premise and tried to get into the book. Remarkably Piglet was hardly present! Instead we get Hoff's meandering criticism of Western Civilization, Philosophy, and culture which came across like disorganized, unfocused, preachy, ramblings. I kept waiting for him to get back to Piglet and this new Taoist term I learned---Te---but the whole book was Hoff's rants! Much of it felt like came from a place of frustration with the politics, global trends, and popular culture. At one point he savagely attacked the feminist movement, calling the feminists "Eeyore Amazons" and claiming that feminists exhibit a "hyper-masculinity" rather than promoting gender equality. His critique was absurd and highly insensitive. I agreed with most of his other arguments, but his response felt too emotional. Much of his observations and claims should have been discussed intelligently in a classroom setting or at least through the proper written discourse rather than his whiny rants.
I didn't like that his writing felt like reading an undergraduate college research paper. I did enjoy the quotes he included, but it seems like he was a little lazy, that instead of integrating these wise Taoist meanings into his own story he settled for the copy/paste method which is fine for expressing the point but is seriously lacking in artistry. And the way he tried to include the Whinnie the Pooh characters into his rant felt forced and pathetic. I know I'm being critical, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone.
The premise is that Piglet represents Te, meaning "virtue in action." To be more specific it is the virtue that arises from the inner nature of things, a hidden potential, a spiritual strength that those who possess it are unaware of. This is the virtue of the small---which is where Piglet fits in.
So I bought the premise and tried to get into the book. Remarkably Piglet was hardly present! Instead we get Hoff's meandering criticism of Western Civilization, Philosophy, and culture which came across like disorganized, unfocused, preachy, ramblings. I kept waiting for him to get back to Piglet and this new Taoist term I learned---Te---but the whole book was Hoff's rants! Much of it felt like came from a place of frustration with the politics, global trends, and popular culture. At one point he savagely attacked the feminist movement, calling the feminists "Eeyore Amazons" and claiming that feminists exhibit a "hyper-masculinity" rather than promoting gender equality. His critique was absurd and highly insensitive. I agreed with most of his other arguments, but his response felt too emotional. Much of his observations and claims should have been discussed intelligently in a classroom setting or at least through the proper written discourse rather than his whiny rants.
I didn't like that his writing felt like reading an undergraduate college research paper. I did enjoy the quotes he included, but it seems like he was a little lazy, that instead of integrating these wise Taoist meanings into his own story he settled for the copy/paste method which is fine for expressing the point but is seriously lacking in artistry. And the way he tried to include the Whinnie the Pooh characters into his rant felt forced and pathetic. I know I'm being critical, but I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone.
March 18, 2013
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.
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.
April 2, 2013
In all honesty, this book was extremely disappointing compared to the first. Instead of focusing on Taoist beliefs and how the Pooh characters exhibit them, Benjamin spent much more time talking about politics, and how our country is being run wrong. Which I normally wouldn't have minded too much, because as it turns out, Mr. Hoff and I are more or less on the same page politically, but at times you could just feel his anger at the state of the country (And considering that at this point this book is 20 years old and we still face many of the same problems, I'm not going to try to tell you that our country is in a good place yet.) And yet while I agreed with a lot of what he was saying, it felt like he was yelling at me, or trying to argue with me, while I was on the same page as him.
I also had a bit of a problem with the way he treated the Pooh characters in this book. He was kind of mean and condescending to Owl, Eeyore, and Rabbit, and spoke to Pooh like he was an idiot. (I'm not trying to argue that Pooh isn't simple minded, it's just that he's endearingly so, and reading someone mocking him is off-putting) He also changed Piglet's essence in order to suit his purposes.
I can't tell you that it wasn't a good book, because it wasn't horrid, but it just wasn't a very good book on Taoism.
I also had a bit of a problem with the way he treated the Pooh characters in this book. He was kind of mean and condescending to Owl, Eeyore, and Rabbit, and spoke to Pooh like he was an idiot. (I'm not trying to argue that Pooh isn't simple minded, it's just that he's endearingly so, and reading someone mocking him is off-putting) He also changed Piglet's essence in order to suit his purposes.
I can't tell you that it wasn't a good book, because it wasn't horrid, but it just wasn't a very good book on Taoism.
February 18, 2008
Don't even bother with this one. It barely mentions Piglet and I found the authors points lacking in substance and too ranty. The writing was choppy and the author tries without success to intersperse cute-sy character dialogue with his complaints of Western world and its politics. It simply did not fit, nor flow well, unlike Taoism. In fact, even the "cute" parts with Winnie the Pooh and co. where boring as hell storyline.
Don't get me wrong, I love reading political books, but not when it is disguised as a book about Taoism in a cute package! The book was SO bad that it has almost ruined the experience of The Tao of Pooh for me (i'd have to read it again and give it a second shot) simply because I now think the author has no basis or credential whatsoever. And yeah, I was pissed that he ignorantly blamed feminism as well.
There was maybe one paragraph that was somewhat enlightening, and even that is a stretch. There is absolutely nothing new here.
Don't get me wrong, I love reading political books, but not when it is disguised as a book about Taoism in a cute package! The book was SO bad that it has almost ruined the experience of The Tao of Pooh for me (i'd have to read it again and give it a second shot) simply because I now think the author has no basis or credential whatsoever. And yeah, I was pissed that he ignorantly blamed feminism as well.
There was maybe one paragraph that was somewhat enlightening, and even that is a stretch. There is absolutely nothing new here.
September 16, 2025
A delightful book on the Tao by the author of The Tao of Pooh. Similar but from the viewpoint of Piglet, who navigates life differently: from a small person's point of view. Not preachy, but a gentle introduction to Taoism.
What struck me most was that this book was written in 1992 and seems even more profound and prophetic for our world today and the discords and anxieties we face.
What struck me most was that this book was written in 1992 and seems even more profound and prophetic for our world today and the discords and anxieties we face.
December 10, 2014
A distinctly less enjoyable sequel to the Tao of Pooh. The book is light on Taoism and Pooh and heavy on criticism of America. Hoff makes statements that he has no interest in backing up at any point and appears to have only wanted to do a sequel so that he could criticize the West. I hated this book.
February 12, 2020
I was really enjoying this book until about 50 pages to the end. When the tirades started, I began to see some hypocrisy in the author's writings.
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