Why did qi become “energy” in Western translation? What do yin and yang actually describe? Were Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water really five elements? Volume II examines qi, yin-yang, the Five Phases and the relationship between humans and nature, asking where ancient observations meet modern science—and where important questions remain open.

Ni Haixia taught the Huangdi Neijing, Shang Han Lun and Jin Gui Yao Lue, practised Chinese medicine in the United States, and became known for his forceful defence of classical Chinese medicine. To his admirers, he helped revive interest in ancient medical traditions and classical formulas. To his critics, some of his medical claims required much stronger evidence. Compassion and Thunder neither presents Ni as a miracle doctor nor dismisses him because of controversy. Throu