The Contemplative Foundations of Classical Daoism by Harold D. Roth, Hardcover

At 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches, this hardcover offers a substantial format for reading at a desk or keeping alongside other books on Chinese philosophy. Its title points to a focused subject: the contemplative foundations of classical Daoism.

Written by Harold D. Roth, the book is part of the SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture. That makes its subject and scholarly series affiliation easy to identify when choosing reading for personal study or a philosophy collection.

For readers deciding between a broad introduction to Daoism and a book centered on its contemplative foundations, which focus better matches the question they want to explore? This title is the more subject-specific choice.

Tips for day-to-day use

The hardcover format and listed dimensions make this a book to set out for a dedicated reading session or place with related philosophy titles for reference. Its 1.5-inch listed thickness gives it a noticeable presence on a desk or shelf, while the 9.5-inch height provides a clear way to distinguish it among other books in a collection.

A practical use is to keep it with reading materials on classical Daoism or Chinese philosophy while working through a course, personal study plan, or topic-based reading list. The title makes the subject easy to recognize when returning to it. For readers building a collection, the SUNY series name also helps connect the book with other titles in the same Chinese philosophy and culture series.

Benefits

The book’s main point of distinction is its concentrated subject. Rather than selecting a general book solely by a broad Daoism label, readers can choose this title when they specifically want a work framed around contemplation and classical Daoism. That clear focus can help guide a targeted reading list or complement broader material on Chinese thought.

Its series affiliation adds useful context for readers who seek books associated with Chinese philosophy and culture. The hardcover format suits a permanent home library as well as regular use during study. For someone comparing titles by subject before choosing what to read next, the full title communicates the particular area this book addresses without relying on a generic philosophy label.

Tech summary

• Title: The Contemplative Foundations of Classical Daoism
• Author: Harold D. Roth
• Format: Hardcover
• Series: SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: May 1, 2021
• Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.5 x 9.5 inches

Buying verdict

Choose this hardcover if your reading or collection is centered on classical Daoism, especially the contemplative foundations named in the title. Its defined subject, author attribution, and place in the SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture make it a clear fit for focused personal study, a philosophy bookshelf, or a reading list on Chinese thought.