I first received this book for Christmas many years ago. I've collected quite a few translations since then, but this remains my favorite. It was a number of years before I began to get some concept of what Lao Tzu was talking about, but eventually I realized this was possibly the most succinct, accurate, and useful description of how things work ever written. Not a hint of religion here...just nuts and bolts. Space will not allow me to describe here how Tao led me back to the practice and belief in Christianity, but it did indeed. Further, I was able to see the fundamental harmony of all the great and ancient religions of Earth. It may lead you to the Buddha, to the Vedas, to Islam, or just to an enlightened agnosticism, but I assure you it will lead you somewhere if you give it a chance!