The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine

by Ted Kaptchuk

Book Overview

A Doody's Core Title for 2024 & 2022 The Web That Has No Weaver is the classic, comprehensive guide to the theory and practice of Chinese alternative medicine. This accessible and invaluable resource... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809229331
• ISBN13: 9780809229338
• Release Date: March 1983
• Publisher: NTC Business Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Lived Up To It's Reputation

No matter where I went, no matter who I talked to (about Chinese Medicine, of course), somewhere in the course of the conversation, the name of this book would pop up. I finally decided to purchase and read it. I was not disappointed. It isn't perfect - nothing is - but it is certainly one of the best introductions to Chinese Medicine around, especially for the westerner. The first few chapters in particular are a godsend for those unfamiliar with the Chinese way of thought. It explains the differences between western and easter scientific understanding without necessarily saying one is better than the other. I will be using many of his statements in my lectures to western medical students and doctors. Bravo.

The Art of Chinese Medical Science

I read this book, It's a good source of information related to Chinese Medicine. I would call it an Art of Chinese Medical science.

Acupuncture 101

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory and philosophy behind traditional Chinese medicine. The average lay person may find more information here than they need at first but better that than a dumbed-down, less comprehensive book which will leave them nothing to turn to if/when they eventually decide they want more information. And unlike some Chinese medical books where 'facts' are produced seemingly from thin air, each of Kaptchuk's chapters is followed by an extensive section of notes/references.The Web was one of the first books on Chinese medicine published in English for the layman and despite its limitations, I feel it is still one of the best. I am a practicing acupuncturist/herbalist and I recommend this book to my patients. It isn't perfect - sometimes there's too much detail, the illustrations could be clearer, could have included more info about herbs, etc. But to Kaptchuk's credit, some sections of this book are written with a beautiful simplicity unmatched by anything I've seen written since, e.g. when he compares the way Chinese painters represented the natural elements in their landscapes to the "poetic logic" a Chinese physician employs when evaluating a patient. It is no small task to sum up traditional Chinese medicine in a single volume but Kaptchuk has done an admirable job.

A Simple but Comprehensive Guide to Ancient Chinese Medicine

Ted Kaptchuk has distilled the essence of ancient Chinese medicine in this clear expose. He explains the body organs as they were understood by the ancient Chinese, the acupuncture points and meridians, the fluids and flows, both of energy and fluids, in easy-to-understand language. A+ for clarifying the concepts of this medicine. With some imagination you may even begin to understand how such an ancient art could tackle modern challenges like AIDS and cancer, which it does. This book is a classic that will be around for a long time. The nice thing about it is that it clarifies ancient Chinese medicine to a person with no background in the subject.

Excellent

I found the book to be very easy to understand yet very enlightening. I would recomend the book to anyone who would like to know about basic chinese medicine.