Once in a while you come across a tool so perfect you gotta have it! The Manual of Chinese Medicine is one such book. There is little new in here but it is organized so well that it puts a dozen books in a neat package that fits in your lab coat.  

Richard Lee is a California acupuncturist who has taken the essentials of the grueling State Board and made a concise guide to point location (including extra points), herbs, Formulas and syndromes.  

At 227 pages the Pocket Manual transcends a study guide and becomes an awesome clinic book. In addition to the above mentioned chapters, there is an ear chart with points, a symptoms index, 5 elements, Shanghanlun, Wen Bing and Zang Fu Syndromes.  

The first 70 pages are devoted to individual descriptions of the points including Extra points and the ear. The herb section begins with listing the herbs by category then the next 40 pages gives short function and property listing of the herbs alphabetically. The formula section follows the same format.  

Put tabs on the section beginnings and within seconds you can be looking directly at the herb, formula or point needed. All the sections are easy to read especially given its compact size. I imagine that this is a product of home computing and Mr. Lee has done a fine job of organizing the material.  

I showed this book to several students and all wanted to buy it without question at a $35 price tag. It's a great book whether for all those still studying as a student or a practitioner.  

Mr. Lee has also been working on a great Formula Book that I was able to see an advance copy of last year as well as an  Herb Book. Both are eagerly awaited and should also set a new standard as study/clinical guides.  

review by Douglas Eisenstark L.Ac. 

Available from  
Lucky Dog Publishing 
4491 Deanwood Dr. 
Woodland Hills, CA  
91364 

luckydogbooks@yahoo.com