Empirically rich, conceptually sophisticated though not theoretically obsessed, an impressive and well-integrated collection of essays on the dynamics of multilateral institutions in Eastern Asia. The authors are all of the region and present a distinctive account of institutionalization as an evolving social structure that produces rules and influences state behaviour but that does not depend upon legalistic or contractual arrangements. Positive about the accomplishments, realistic about the limitations, guardedly optimistic about the prospects, the volume may not silence the naysayers who dismiss ASEAN-inflected multilateralism. But it will substantially boost the quality of a debate that is of academic importance and more. Paul Evans, Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia