This is a history of Taoism from approximately the 3rd century BC to the 14th century AD. Its aim is to trace the lines of its doctrinal evolution, the wide varieties of factors that came into play over a long period of disconnected eras and the constant absorptions of outside contributions.

"This is a work of monumental importance by arguably the foremost scholar of Taoism in the world. Insights from the study of Taoism are profoundly changing the way we view China's past, and this book fills the need for a comprehensive history that reflects the progress made in Taoist studies over the last few decades. Though Taoism is known to be an abstruse religion, Robinet lays bare its 'bones and sinews' in exceptionally clear language, one of the things that makes the book so valuable for classroom use."
--Stephen Bokenkamp,
Indiana University