The most important classical text of Chinese Medicine, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Chinese Medicine is often seen as daunting by students who are faced with a variety of different translations, of which some may not be reliable. This introductory guide makes it accessible to all, providing a summary of each chapter which emphasises the clinical relevance of the text. The author draws out how the text can be used to inform and improve clinical practice. It avoids overly scholarly discussions, and does not dwell on the minutiae of translation, making this book an easy and enlightening read.

This book uncovers the history of imperial ordinations through a detailed examination of the Ordination Scroll of Empress Zhang (1493), an important Ming Dynasty Daoist artifact-its transcriptions and meticulously-painted images of celestial beings, as well as the influences of the Daoist leaders known as the Zhengyi Heavenly Masters.