The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You are by Alan Watts - Paperback

This book opened my mind and showed me a new way of looking at the world. It's beautifully written - Alan Watts sure knew how to turn a phrase. Elegant language and complex thought, with no academic jargon sight. Although it's not always easy reading. This book deals with the meaning and substance of life, so the ideas may require a bit of time to digest. But Alan Watts talks to the reader like a friend and like an adult. The ideas are presented with humour, grace and artistry. It was written in the 1960's and has a 60's counterculture flavour. A few small sections are a bit dated. But that just makes it fun and interesting. If you're interested in philosophy, spiritually, self-reflection, self-improvement; if you've ever though about your place in the world, read this book.

This book confirms to me that I am not alone in my view of human life, human experiences and death.It represents a maturity in spiritual thinking, written by a genius who has examined spirituality with an intellectual thought process and learned wisdom.For me it speaks the truth and it's a delight to read. If you can grasp the message it will bring a new meaning to your life and your self.As Alan Watts said ' You don't look out there for God, something in the sky, you look in you '

The book has some interesting concepts from Eastern philosophy and is easy to understand. However, it's extremely repetitive and Watts' adopts quite a self-important preachy tone. He sounds like that hipster who's just getting into Hinduism and needs to lecture you after a few drinks.The book would've worked better as a 30-page introductory pamphlet. If you're serious about Eastern philosophy, just go for the source material.

I read a few of Alan Watt's book and this is one of my favorites, an easy read but, not so easy to implement in your life as we've been conditioned to think and live our lives a certain way since we were kids.

An exceptional book from Alan Watts and highly recommended. "The Book" referred to in the title is The Book you, as a parent, might give your child to teach them of the world. As opposed to simply giving your child the Bible or other "Book" based on the region the child was born in.it's an exceptional read which covers many aspects of our society and addresses many religious and philosophical tendencies we humans are bound by in general.if you like Alan Watts you'll Love this book of his. I loved it and, as always, really appreciate the concise and elegant way in which he writes.