This translation and extensive collation of important commentaries is not only a work of monumental effort and dedication, but a significant contribution to Western understanding of acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine. While clinicians cannot expect to quickly and easily abstract techniques from this text, they will be able to understand the historical context, the technical problems, and the consequences for clinical practice of the many interpretations that have formed Chinese medical thought through the ages. Familiarity with this work was one of the necessities of classical acupuncture study, and remains so today, for knowledge of the Nan Ching aided the student in gaining insight and the ability to judge circumstance intuitively. Finally, this opportunity is available to English-speaking students and practitioners.