Tao

Explained the main thrust of Taoist writing (I hesitate to add -ism as it's not really something you can - or can't - follow), along with a little historiography and comparisons to Zen and Confucian philosophy. Also had a few preachy diversions into major issues of the 70s like eco-friendliness and nuclear power. I mean still true and relevant, but just, what's that got to do with the Tao, Alan?

While I came out the other side with a little changed perspective on things, and finding myself using nature-driven metaphors a lot more, I'm not sure I really gained a lot more than that... the true Tao can't be expressed or forced, real leadership doesn't lead, ideas of separate things are illusory. Maybe that's all there is to it, but I kinda wanted there to be more.

Maybe mountains really are just mountains.