Gives an adequate overview of the basic concepts in chinese medicine, but is sorely lacking in many, many others. What it lacks, as does much of the information originating from communist China, are the Taoist roots of the medicine which have a very tangible impact on its practice (especially the psychospiritual elements) - something that is sorely lacking from the modern TCM iteration of Chinese medicine. Its understanding of the production of Qi and Xue is incomplete, which limits its usefulness clinically as well. Much more information from the classics should be included in this text to warrent its name as a 'foundational' text.