Tomas Transtromer once said that his poems are meeting places for souls. In this world where one does not always feel entirely at home, it is with a sense of recognition that one enters a Diane Frank poem, with all its exotic quirks, and rather than feel it to be strange, feel it to be a habitable, companionable place of kindred spirits.--Tom Centolella I am joyful that these poems are in the world. I feel myself in them strongly... though of course they are your poems, they are somehow my poems also. Even the little touches, like oranges that pop out of nowhere... they are my oranges also.--Lauren Liebling

RIGHT FIRST TIME is a the most fascinating book I have read in my lifetime. This book has changed my life and has the potential to change the lives of billions of people living on this planet. The author covers the concepts of Quality Control - in a language that is full of intelligent humour. He has remarkably clear expression and conveys deep rooted thinking in a most refreshing manner. I have read the book repeatedly, over the last 15 years and each time I find concepts and expressions that fascinate and amuse me, more and more. Read with RIGHT EVERY TIME, by the same author, I have gained deeper insights into principles of Quality Control and Management Excellence like no other discussion on the subject. This book has changed my life and in turn of those around me. I crave for more from the same author, I crave for his humour, I crave for his language, expression, thoughts, brilliance. The views of Frank Price have become my religion, he has become my Guru, and I see in Him - the power to bring meaningful change in our lives - through Quality in everything we do, Right First Time and Right Every Time!

( RIGHT FIRST TIME and RIGHT EVERY TIME are the rarest of rare books, a must read for anyone inclined to search for Quality amongst books on Quality. )

There are several positives to "The Rise of Asia" by Frank B. Tipton. First, the book is deep and it deals with a breadth of subjects. Second, one of the subjects that it deals with, in some detail, is the economic development of Asia -- which we all need to understand. Third, over and above the economic development, Tipton also deals with the role of politics and international relations as factors in this book. Fourth, Tipton also records the rise of Asia as partially a factor of Nationalism. Fifth, Tipton records the role of technology as a dynamic in Asian development. Sixth, he deals with the women's issue. A heretofore-neglected issue, he has to be commended for bringing the women's issue to our attention. However, I will later indicate that he needs to bring up the women's issue in light of a larger field of social implications. Lastly, one of the greatest assets of this book is the extended bibliography. Despite the "all English" listing, it is still a valuable list of references. Let us begin by examining the breadth and depth. Tipton goes from the pre-colonial, through the colonial and then finally closes with the contemporary. Moreover, Tipton deals with both East and Southeast Asian countries. Along all these different time frames and countries, Tipton deals with the territorial governments and precepts of governance relating to these times and places. What do I mean? In other words, Tipton traces the contemporary back to pre-colonial and colonial roots of Japan, China, Japan, Korea as well as Southeast Asia. According to Samuel Huntington, in his book "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" (also available on Amazon.com), East Asian economic development is altering the balance of power between Asia and the West. Along these same lines, Tipton's "The Rise of Asia" is a space, of the same kind, to explain the long-term economic growth in East Asia and beyond.

Tipton is clear that the rise of East Asia as an economic player in the world scene was not a sudden thing -- it was eons in the making. Tipton also explores the impact this growth will have on the world scene. The text spotlights economic development and Tipton puts economic history first. Tipton examines political and international relations as well. In this book, Tipton explores issues of politics and international relations. Tipton, in his depth and breadth is surely not quick to oversimplify anything -- he takes great pains to explain it all the best he can. Tipton knows that the neo-classical model does not fully explain the whole of East Asia. For Tipton, East Asia is limited to the Confucian based countries of Japan and the Four Tigers. In these countries, Confucianism is the basis for "Value" foundation. Tipton is aware that the difference is the extent and the form. This reviewer is under the impression the mixed system explanation is best for the 5 countries involved. Japan is the "poster child" for government intervention, where the Keiretsu is heavily involved with the government. Moreover, the Korean elite was heavily involved with the government. Countries like Singapore, Taiwan and Hong King and were less and less involved with government. Tipton is aware that it is not simply neo-classical economics but to a large extent "statist" government intervention as well. It is simply a matter of figuring how and how much. This book also deals with nationalism and its links to economic growth. Tipton is good because he looks at Asia in context. Moreover, Tipton takes seriously the impact that social structures -- such things as civic society -- have had on the "Asian Miracle." Tipton posits that the economic success of East Asia is not limited or attributed to Asian Values alone. Tipton also deals at length with importation of technology as a consequential issue, especially in East Asia. Tipton uses on whole chapter to examine the issue of women in Asia. To his credit he does rigorously reflect on the women's issue. However, Tipton needs to include the women's issue within the larger framework of all the social ramifications of such rapid growth in such a short time. Then there is the issue of Tipton's extensive 27-page bibliography. This book certainly draws from several sources. I was particularly impressed by his reference to Leah Greenfeld's "Nationalism - Five Roads to Modernity" (also available on Amazon.com) and her use of Nietzsche's Ressentiment. Despite the range and depth of the choices for reference, scholars have observed, as did this reviewer, about the lack of non-English books. Personally, as a non-expert, I would benefit from seeing more source material reference that is based on languages from the countries being studied. With a topic such as East and Southeast Asia, one would think that Tipton would include more local authors.

Miguel B. Llora

This book was simply written and provides a clear overview of Europe during the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and early 20th century. The text is easily understandable for middle-schoolers.

This was a well-told story that held my interest throughout. Fast paced with great charecter developement. Technically sound, writer proves very knowledable about intricacys of white water kayaking. This is a story of personal growth, developement, and and in the end, triumph over huge odds.

The Road Home: The Journey Beyond The Spiritual Quick Fix by William Frank Diedrich is a personal close-up of the path of spiritual development. The dialogue and journal entries trace the growth and transformation of the author as he deals with love, life's mysteries, making money, and fear. In this book, the choice between love and fear comes to life. Since spiritual development experiences follow universal patterns, the author's story reads like your own. The conversation with the muse, with God and with the Self are laid bare to consider our own internal dialogue

Bill Diedrich has studied the personal journey closely. He has internalized lessons from A Course in Miracles. He has waded through the puddles of many teachers and found the river. The message of dealing with our struggles and finding lasting results and not expecting some magical way out of life's pains is presented with hope and compassion. Forgiveness is one of those lessons that seems to keep coming back. The Road Home provides some real help with the problems of forgiveness. Reading The Road Home is a tune-up on the engine for seeking God and learning to love.

"No matter how they act you can act with unconditional love" I have heard this many times, starting in Sunday School. When I read this and have no doubt that it is my truth, I know the bringer of the message is coming from the source. The Road Home provides the context, the rationale and the message.

Rob Curtner,

Communications Consultant

In fact there is not much to say. Robert Frank is probably the greatest photographer alive, his bool The AMericans being the true bible of the second half of the 20th century. here we have a collection of well-known and less-known pictures displayed in a fascinating scheme bringing about unheard of parallels and feedbacks. It is a deeply moving book showing that photography can be a lot more than just pictures here we talk of passion, emotion, life and death. Frank is at his best suggesting rather than displaying. Some of those pictures will bring tears to your eyes

Mr. Smith is one author who knows how to do his homework. He captures the wit, charisma, and sheer magnetisim, of a great man to little know in our day. In a time where the Religious Right attempts to make the United States a "Christian Nation". And uses threats of hell on those who does not bend to their whims. He tells us of the man who freed millions of minds, and to make God into a honest man. He makes one appreciate the glories of the past and the promises of the future. This book is a must read for anyone with questions about the world and man's place in it

Incredible, exciting, poignant biography of an underrated writer and wonderful man. Although McLynn is obviously a fan, it never becomes hagiography. This will have you reading Treasue Island again and wanting to travel to Scotland and Samoa.

Kermode maintains that Yeats's images and symbols define the Romantic tradition-the preference for images over formal reasoning as a way to reconcile opposites. Yeats's poetry, for all its mythical, classical, and historical allusions,its occultism and arcana, values imagination over intellection, and the resonant image over the plain statement. Organic images, as distinct from descriptive or ornamental images, generate symbolic ripples. Kermode holds that Yeats's recurrent, almost obsessive images, such as tree, bird, tower, and dancer, reach a high point of Romantic imagery and organic form. The pre-eminent example of symbolic images (archetypes), is the dancer and the dance at the end of "Among School Children," an image that reconciles body and soul, identity and action, artist and art. Kermode's study is a standard in Yeats criticism.