PHYSIOGNOMY: The Art of Reading People Paperback – October 20, 2016

I am so thrilled that the English version of this book has finally been released. After meeting the author several times I really wanted to read the Vietnamese version but much to my dismay, I was not as fluent in my parents’ native language as I had thought. Physiognomy: The Art of Reading People was a very captivating, yet easy to understand read. Although I have accepted that I will never be able to read people as the author can, this book has provided me guidance in my daily life.Many of the chapters in the book are very useful to my everyday life. Everything is covered, from the type of person that you should go in to business with to the type of house that will suit an individual! I will be reading this book several more times in order to try to fully understand all of the author’s teachings. However, from what I interpreted on the first read, the teachings are spot on in regards to personalities in those around me.One of my favorite parts of the book is that the author teaches you how to overcome certain things in your life. For instance, just because you have a grim fate at a specific period of time in your life, doesn’t mean you can’t change it (and he teaches you just how to do that!!). Who wouldn’t want to know the hardships coming up in the future and potentially prevent them from happening in the first place??This book has become my sole bedside read and I can’t wait to see what knowledge I gain each time I re-read it. Thank you for dedicating your time and efforts to sharing this wonderful gift with the public.

I have been anticipating the release of the English version of Quyen's book. It is a fascinating read and will be used as a reference book for many years to come. Growing up I would hear bits and pieces from my mother and other adults and didn't think much of it and attributed it to just being coincidental. Just one of those things that go in one ear and out the other. In the last 6 years, I have been more curious because many things Quyen has shared has taken place in the community and the lives of my family and friends. I always wondered how does he do it! By reading this book, it has helped me understand Quyen's diagnoses/readings and the how's and the why's behind it. The illustrations and case studies are useful in helping to bring it all together and help you understand the whole picture/situation. There are many moments that led to chuckles and laughs because you will identify people in the news or in your work and personal life that fit the physiognomy features described to the tee. I will be reading parts of this book over and over again over the years to fully understand the meaning and teachings. Another thing that I really liked that Quyen did was he took in account functionality and modern issues and its application. If not, this ancient art will remain mysterious and foreign to many people. I am so thankful the author has shared his gift and simplified this ancient art/science for more to understand and appreciate.

I read with interest this book (I bought the Vietnamese version, Vietnamese is my native language - and I have been in US for more than 40 years - all those years as a physician) . On and off since my medical school years (in South VN ) and post M.D. specialty training in US , I have paid special attention to physiognomy as a "predictor" of illness (and life events ) , trying to see whether there is a correlation . To my special interest was recent study of " Ear lobe crease" as a marker of coronary artery disease , which has been published in medical journals .This book is more or less descriptive and anecdotal , and not a systematic scientific approach to the subject addressed (statistic approach to evaluate the collected data is non-existent in this book). Admittedly , for this , a more extensive study calling for a collaboration of many more authors (from different schools of thought) with wider resources. Meta-analysis will be needed . Throughout the book , one cannot help feeling the subjectivity of the author in evaluating the subjects at hand and this is the main weakness . But I would not be to "hard" on the author : subjectivity may well be the characteristics of this "art" .

I highly recommend this book! It can change your life and perspective for the better! I am so glad for the English version. I grew up hearing about physiognomy but didn't really understand it. This book is enlightening and brings clarity to some stories and situations I've come across over the years. I like that the author provides examples of modern day celebrities and politicians to paint a clearer picture for readers to make it more relatable and easier to understand. I love the message the book delivers--that we all have a hand in our own destiny. A quote from the author, Quyen Quang Tran: "The person with a good heart and leading a virtuous life will envelop himself or herself in a flourish countenance, creating a favorable condition for the form to develop, the color to brighten, the voice to strengthen, and other signs of good karma. By contrast, the person with a bad heart and leading a malicious life will damage his or her countenance, form, color, and voice, creating a condition conducive to bad karma." Thank you, Quyen Quang Tran, for sharing your stories and invaluable insight.