"Dictionary of Silence", the second book of Slovene poetry translated by the exceptional Sonja Kravanja, presents a strong contrast in tone and feeling to the first. Debeljak's poems resound with longing, both in the physical world and the world of dreams. Each thematic series of prose poetry is defined by a particular realm , and a wish for the peace of existential existence.

Kravanja, once again, helps the American reader to begin to understand the heart of the disenfranchised peoples of Eastern Europe, while deftly fulfilling the promise of music and meaning implicit in Debeljak's work.

I found these poems reminiscent of several of this country's greatest poets of the 60's- the sense of loss, the sense of hopelessness, the wish for something more............

In this slim volume of poetry, so beautifully and thoughtfully translated by Sonja Kravanja, the reader discovers both glimpses of an unfamiliar world, but also hears echos of common human experience.The blend is almost eerie. For most Americans the region of the world that is the source of the poet's inspiration is remote and strange.In reading these poems the reader is drawn in, introduced to both the darkness and the light. I found the book moving in ways having to do with the soul more than the intellect. At the same time, the language is sophisticated, serene. This reader will return, many times to these pages.

Perhaps, as the previous reviewer stated, Witter Bynner was a minor poet. But, when one realizes all of the people with whom he came in contact and influenced in one way or another (as an editor at Macleans he was the first to publish Ezra Pound for example) one soon realizes he was one of the 'powers behind the throne' of American 20th Century poetry. The story of Robert Frost's encounters with Bynner alone make one realize Bynner's impact. Just knowing that Robert Frost had memorized Bynner's poems makes one realize the influence he must have had.

And how could we forget "Spectra"?

A must read for any student of 20th century American Literature.

Here are some answers I gleaned from this book:
1. A minor poet who enjoyed some popularity earlier in this century.
2. A translator who, without expert mastery of languages, managed to convey admirably the spirit of the original text.
3. Homosexual in an era when (even in a hang-loose town like Santa Fe) he had to be discreet and even secretive about it.
4. A devoted partner.
5. A loving son.
6. A pillar of the literary and artistic community.
7. A dear and cherished friend to many.
This is a well-researched and well-written biography of someone who I think was far more interesting as a man than a poet -- although there are those who swear that his translation of Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" is the best one ever -- and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Kraft delineates not only Bynner's life but the various environments in which he lived and worked, so it's an interesting social history as well as a biography. A small caution: the selections from Bynner's poetry that Kraft quotes are probably the best of the lot. If you read this biography and the anthology "The Best of Witter Bynner" (edited by Kraft), you've seen all the good stuff; don't knock yourself out trying to find copies of the rest. (I did -- although fortunately that's not hard in this town! -- and it really wasn't worth the effort.)

Here are irrefutable truths, written as mystical, poetic expressions, that stand the test of time, applicable even today, although written in the 3rd century B.C. Erika B.

I really disliked this book, but for a petty reason, so I won't give it a petty star rating of one. I'll give it a three, simply because it isn't a poor rendition or overly complex, but I'm afraid I can't get past the western rhyme scheme (AABB, etc.) that he has put in maybe a fourth of the "verses" in the book. I feel the western rhyme scheme completely ruins the flow and meaning of the message. I would recommend Gia-Fu Feng's translation of the Tao Te Ching, because it is concise in a way that I feel would do justice to the original.

.. and yet this is part of its trancendant charm. we are human and small, not great or divine; we must strive on regardless of failure or success. in this way we may still succeed, as this writer's attempt ultimately does.

it's not a translation so much as a version, a celebration and acceptance of an ancient's cry for Virtue, reflected in the heart of the American quest.

no collection of english interpretations of the tao te ching is complete without this one.

If I had only one book to read and re-read, this would be it. Far and away my favorite translation of the book that is part of my blood and bone. I've memorized much of it, and have read it aloud onto CD as a gift for my friends. A treasure. "Let life ripen and then fall. Force is not the way at all."