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An acclaimed anthology celebrating the creative flowering of the English Romantic period

The Romanticism that emerged after the American and French revolutions of 1776 and 1789 represented a new flowering of the imagination and the spirit, and a celebration of the soul of humanity with its capacity for love. This extraordinary collection sets the acknowledged genius of poems such as Blake’s "The Tyger," Coleridge’s "Kubla Khan," and Shelley’s "Ozymandias" alongside verse from less well known figures and women poets such as Charlotte Smith and Mary Robinson. We also see familiar poets in an unaccustomed light, as Blake, Wordsworth, and Shelley demonstrate their comic skills, while Coleridge, Keats, and Clare explore the Gothic and surreal. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great, espeically with women, but beware the Clare
Although I've never edited an anthology of poetry, I think they should serve two purposes: to include everything that the reader expects, and to encourage the reader to read more deeply. To a large extent, this anthology does just that. All the essential romantic poems are here and many lesser known poets are given a lot of space.

The anthology is divided into sections, some of which are grouped by theme (love narratives, politics) and others by genre (sonnet, ode, etc.) and each section is given an introduction. The numbering of the poems starts over with each section, making it a little clumsy and better suited for personal, not classroom, use. Nevertheless, the section themes are well chosen, some being expected ("Man and Nature") and some a little novel ("Comedy and Satire.")

The most impressive thing about this anthology is its women poets. Women are very well represented (though still not as well as the Big Six) and their poems in this anthology make me want to go out and read more of their works, especially those of Charlotte Smith and Felicia Hemans.

I do feel that a little more room could have been taken away from the members of the Big Six (Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats) to make way for the poets whose reputations are beginning to rise at this time. Wordsworth, in particular, is a little over-represented with over seventy selections. Every one of his selections is good, but not all are essential.

My only real gripe with this anthology (in all honesty, I'd give it four-and-a-half stars instead of four) is its representation of John Clare, who has about a dozen selections. Although I'd like to see more selections, my real problem is with which poems were chosen to represent him. Clare is now considered by many poets and scholars to be England's greatest nature poet, which is why I was surprised to see only one Clare poem in the "Man and Nature" section of this anthology. Clare took issue with the way his fellow poets represented nature, especially in poems like Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale," in which real natural scenery is nearly abstracted out of existence. He insisted on accurate descriptions of nature and by the time he hit his stride in the 1830s, even his "plain" descriptive poetry is incredibly powerful and able to evoke emotion in the reader just like any Wordsworth or Keats poem. The one Clare nature poem here is, in fact, that most Wordsworthian Clare poem I've ever read, showing that the editors are still judging Clare by the High Romanticism which he consciously differed from.

All in all, this is a solid anthology. Definitely a companion for the poetry lover to lug around on trips or walks. I'm excited about its representation of women poets, but don't judge Clare based on the selections in this anthology. He is much better, and much more original, than he appears here.

Very Comprehensive
This anthology of Romantic poetry is certainly very well presented and well done.Jonathan Wordsworth, one of the editors is also a descendent of William Wordsworth, a feaured poet in the anthology.Of course, the "Big Six" of Romanticism are represented in the book as well as many others less prominent.Each poet also has a small biographical section that has been included as well.For the most part, the shorter works are presented in the whole, but some are not.For instance, Byron's Don Juan is presented in four different areas of the book, and still some parts within each canto are omitted.While the parts included are relevant to the theme of the section, it is difficult with this work to get a "feel" for the whole poem. As well, the notes are in the back of the book and are not footed on the page they correspond to.This is my only true gripe with the book.This set-up is fine for shorter works, but irritating for longer ones since I seemed to be looking ahead through the notes to see when a footnote would fall.That is why the four star rating is given.

In all, the book is printed on paperback-style paper which makes the book easy to read and light to carry. The book is relatively inexpensive.I used this book for a college course on Romantic poetry.

An alternate to this book is Volume D - The Romantic Period of the six volume set of the Norton Anthology of English Literature.

A comprehensive anthology that is meticulously assembled
The Penguin Book of Romantic Poetry contains over 800 pages of poetry, and copious amounts of notes. The large and choice selection has been carefully categorised into sub-headings like "Romantic Hallmarks", "Ennobling Interchange: Man and Nature", "Romantic Odes", "Romantic Lyric and Song" and (my favourite) "Poets in Relationship", wherein is collected poetry written for lovers, children, siblings, friends, and sometimes from one poet to another.

The notes provided at the end of the books do not interfere with the interpretation of the poem, and only serve as a way to gloss meaning of archiac words or obscure references made to things that would have been common knowledege then. Thus it leaves the reader free to attach any frame of intepretation or meaning to the poem itself, without ever finding himself forced or compelled to take the view of the editors.

Another useful feature the collection has is the inclusion of short write-ups about the poets' lives. They give a brief, but incisive introduction to the poets, and more importantly, places them within the timeframe of the long Romantic Period.

That said, this anthology is really for the casual reader, one who may have a personal interest in Romantic poetry (and an interest that will prove rewarding, I might add) or simply wish to explore new poets before reading more of their work. As such, you will not find certain poems that other anthologies might choose for the sake of its significance in the corpus of the poets' work. For instance, Blake's "Auguries of Innocence" (To see a World in a Grain of Sand / And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, / Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand / And Eternity in an hour) is strangely missing from this collection.

But otherwise this is a great collection and a portable copy that one can take around and read while on the bus or the train, or even during the lunch break. The poets are never presented in a way that is meant to intimidate the new reader with the history and grandness of the poet, but are instead presented in what I can only call a "friendly" manner.

If one is more interested in an anthology that goes a little further than this, in terms of analysis or textual help, "Romanticism: An Anthology" by Duncan Wu would be an excellent choice. The 3rd edition is now currently available.

There Is No Perfect Anthology
It is very interesting to look through Amazon site reviews of poetry anthologies. The evaluations of such books are often made by people who are pulling their hair and rending their garments over poems that should have been in the books reviewed.

First of all, there are few volumes of poetry from the Romantic period in print (A comment to those who are unfamiliar with the term "Romantic" in reference to an historical period. This is not a book of "love poems"; it is a book of poems written during the period of roughly 1795 to 1830.) The only way that one who is interested in poems from this era can build a collection of them is to buy more than one book. I know of no single book that can meet an expectation of completeness. Therefore it is silly to get into this type of debate.

What this book does provide is 1000 pages representing the major, and many minor poets of the period.

For those who are not serious scholars it also has three important extra features:

1. It provides an informative introduction to the poetry.
2. It provides about 150 pages of notes on the poems. To me this is a most useful aid to reading, and I am disappointed when an anthology of poetry from a long gone era does not provide it. The notes provide interpretations and explanations of obsolete English terms, classical and obscure literary references, and, in the case of this book, some interesting comments on various lines in the poem.
3. It provides brief biographies of the poets.

What is unusual in the book is that it presents the poems according to various themes such as "Man and Nature", The Romantic Sonnet", and "Protest and Politics". You, as I, may prefer the simple technique of having the contents laid out by poets in alphabetical order, but fortunately there is an index of each poet with all of that author's poems listed under his/her name. This method of organizing the book isn't any less screwy than the one found in "The New Oxfod Book of Romantic Period Verse", in which each section is by year, starting with the poems written in 1785. Thus one poet's works my be spread throughout a huge chunk of the book.

There is a lot of poetry in this book, but if you really, really want to encompass the period you have to buy more books.

To the best of my knowledge those in print at reasonable cost are:

1.The New Oxford Book of Romantic Period Verse. It is annotated.
2.English Romantic Poetry An Anthology. This is a Dover Publication. A smaller book of only 240 pages, and typically, for Dover books, it is not annotated. The goodnews is that it is dirt cheap.
3. The Norton Anthology of Poetry. There are about 250 pages of Romantic Poetry in this massive 2000 page book. The advantage of this volume is that you are getting an annotated book of poems ranging from the beginning of English poetry to the present. The disadvantage is that it is not an inexpensive book.

A good anthology inside a bad one.
The three stars are for length. The reason you've heard of the romantic period at all is that six or seven individuals composed a scandalous percentage of the world's best poetry during it. These get about two thirds of the pages; three to four hundred others are filled with infinitely inferior work, mostly political verse by males you haven't heard of and domestic verse by females you shouldn't have heard of. These additions are readable but little more, and serve mostly to dilute. If you're interested in the thoughts and lives of the people of the era and don't feel the works of its artistic giants are much help, find diaries and periodicals and trial records from the period, easily available at a well-stocked library.

The introduction is so-so, spending its first page or two explaining how there's no fixed meaning to the term 'romantic' as applied to poetry, but then offering some useful historical information and an overview of the poets' responses to contemporary events.

Wordsworth is the star of the volume, as you'd expect from the editors' last name. Shelley's political work is slightly emphasized. Adonais and The Fall of Hyperion and Christabel are excerpted only; these are strange and uneven works for the newcomer so this decision is probably justifiable. Little attention is given to Thomas Lovell Beddoes and John Clare.

Taking a knife to the irrelevancies, this book is a good introductory anthology of the more accessible great poems of the era. Its length partly drowns out its light but steady adherence to contemporary university fashions, which are probably invincible market pressures on poetry anthologies at this time. Penguin's previous romantic anthology, edited by David Wright, was far too short and had willful and eccentric selections. The New Oxford Anthology of Romantic Period Verse, though almost as long, lacks Wordsworth's Two-Book Prelude, the finest poem of the period, and is even more obsessed than the present volume with political and feminine writings; all, may I emphasize, as drenched in convention and artificiality and simple-mindedness as an anthology of random poems by the people who live on your block would be.

So this is the best readily available anthology of the period in print. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

The Best Pedagogical Approach to Poetry
I've been writing poetry for almost ten years. But I really shouldn't count the years before I was taught with this book, mainly because what I wrote then was preconceived, melodramatic, first-draft garbage. The text systemically breaks down poetry into the smallest unit of sound, while also holistically analyzing it with examples and questions that really allow the student to reflect on the material. The end result is liberation, and not what someone might expect from a book that "teaches" you. No longer will you set out to write the greatest poem ever. You will simply write, and if you learned anything from the book, your writing will automatically be astounding, especially if you compare it to your previous works.

I've read many introductory books on poetry. None of them measure up to this one. ... Read more

Product Description
Sixty five alphabetically ordered entries on poetry, each more than two pages, offering exercises, examples and student samples. Also includes seven essays pertaining to teaching poetry, several suggestions on how to use the book, and an appendix showing exercises by school subjectA collection of entries pertaining to virtually all the different forms of poetry. Includes entries on acrostics, definition poems, list poems, odes, “used to/but now” poems, and other innovative forms designed to bolster creative writing.Collom and Noethe truly understand their audience, for they have also addressed the need for ideas on how to integrate poetry into the English core curriculum in a section at the back of the book, filled with essays that guide you through the entire poetry teaching process. There are 11 essays in all, in addition to an appendix of exercises arranged by school subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent Resources for Teachers and Writers!
I own many books for teachers of writers and this book is simply one of the best and easiest to use in the classroom.So, so, so many ideas for writing activities that it's hard to convey how useful this book is.I think it is also a great handbook for writers of all kinds to use when they need a writing exercise to jumpstart creativity or squash writer's block.Teachers of all grades, in all subjects--not just language arts--could and should have this book in their hands.Love it.

Great classroom resource!
Poetry Everywhere is a great book to use inside the classroom at all levels.The book provides examples of student poetry and instructions to adapt poetry to your own classroom.

Wonderful!
"Poetry Everywhere" by Jack Collom and Sheryl Noethe, offers insights into poetry in terms of the various forms, how to teach poetry, and examples of childrens work is provided for each form.I am a pre-service teacher and used this book in a writing workshop I headed for second graders (seven-year-olds).The essays at the end range from how to revise, to writing quickies that can be utilized to get the class started and thinking.This is a wonderful resource for anyone working with children and can be used not only for the writing lessons, but for any subject.Quickies are great and my students loved them!They were very creative and new.Get this book!

A Teacher's Perspective - Poerty Everywhere
This book is a Poetry 101: A-Z for the novice teacher, or one like me wanting to incorporate poetry into my art classroom.This book is structured so that whatever you are looking for you will be able to find it easily.Though an easy read, this book fully engaged and inspired me to go forth into unchartered territory.There are NUMEROUS poetic styles to fit into just about any teacher's curriculum at ANY grade level.The ideas and exercises that the authors suggest to get you going are simple but extremely effective.The exercises work as a springboard to which you use your creativity to jump from and expand.I benefited from this book professionally as well as personally and my students (basically the entire student population) took to it from the first day of introduction.Many of them got so into it that they would write at home and bring what they had done in the next day to my class, eventhough they didn't do their "homework" for their homeroom teacher.Poetry has struck a chord in my students and that wouldn't have been possible without the Poetry Everywhere book to inspire me and get me majorly enthusiastic about the subject.I highly recommend this book for any teacher wanting to inject something new yet so beneficial into their daily routine.

The Book All Teachers Should Acquire
In her preface, Sheryle Noethe writes that the genesis of "Poetry Everywhere" was the year she spent as a resident poet in Salmon, Idaho, visiting school "in an effort to make creative writing full of opportunity."This mission was synonymous with mine when I entered the DC public school system two years ago to lead poetry workshops for inner city middle school children.I had little teaching experience and embarked on my journey with only my enthusiasm and my copy of "Poetry Everywhere."Luckily, these two things were all I needed to launch a successful series of classes."Poetry Everywhere" turned out to be a phenomenal resource, a stew of delicious ideas meant to inspire-but not to instruct.This is not a manual for lazy teachers.There are no pages to be photocopied and filled with blank lines for students to "finish the story" or "imagine a very bad day and describe."Instead, as co-author Jack Collom writes, "This is a how-to book.It is also a big many-gated entrance to pleasure and excitement in learning . . . The writing exercises in this book allow for the possibility of poetry."In this sense, the book is entirely honest in its assessment of itself.It does not ensure success in the classroom, but it does provide creative teachers willing to put in a little extra effort an elaborate list of writing exercises.These include everything from acrostics to pantoums to William Carlos Williams imitations.In my experience these exercises are great launching pads, but in order for them to resonate with students both willing and hesitant to write, a teacher must be able to expand on the suggested courses of actions.For instance, as the book itself suggests, most children like to brainstorm in a group before they sit down to write.Also it is invaluable for them to see their work in print, or at least on the board, and also to have the opportunity to share what they write in an open and positive environment.
Although it seems the authors have tried all these exercises with age groups varying from first graders to high schoolers, I found that it is important to assess for oneself which activities are age appropriate for whom.Still, the examples given in each chapter of actual poems written by students are great to read out loud to the class.This way, students can be inspired by the potential of each exercise.Also, I found it encourages students to see their teacher trying the exercises along with them.And teachers, don't worry.Most of the activities are fun and sometimes challenging even for adults.Fortunately, once teachers have run the gamut of these exercises "Poetry Everywhere" provides supplementary chapters on enlivening standard English instruction, activities for more advanced students, revision, and inventing more exercises.
In the past two years I have read through a variety of books claiming to be manuals for the teaching of creative writing to children.But in essence these types of curriculums should be organic to the classroom, and "Poetry Everywhere" seems to be the only book out there that truly understands this idea.Nowadays, as creativity is is increasing squashed by the restrictions of hardened syllabi, I can only hope that teachers everywhere will realize the importance of doing exactly what this book recommends, encouraging students to discover not only that it's fun to write poems but also that the art of writing is central to the process of learning in general. ... Read more

Product Description
The fourth edition of UNDERSTANDING POETRY is a re-inspection of poetry. Keeping it teachable and flexible, the material allows forfull and innocent immersion as well as raising inductive questions to develop critical and analytical skills.Students will be led to understand poetry as a means of imaginatively extending their own experience and indeed, probing the possibilities of the self. This latest incarnation of the landmark text facilitates a thorough study of poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Solid, if somewhat dated, text
Brooks & Warren's text is rightfully a classic for advanced high school or college undergraduate readers. They provide a useful overview of many important topics that one learn for the analysis of poetry. At the same time as they pursue the intellectual approach to poetry, they always keep an eye on appreciating the beauty of poetry.

However, the text is dated and a bit flawed. This represents a somewhat simplified New Critical approach to poetry. Their emphasis on close reading is admirable, but they have a kind of rigid, doctrinaire sense of what poetry "should" be. A professor of mine once called it a kind of blockheaded organicism. Also, their chapter on metrics I find to be poorly thought out; their approach is confusing and a bit thick. Their system of notation is more complex than necessary and not very expressive, and they approach it mostly as a mathematical exercise, not connecting it to analysis of a poem's meaning(s).

Still, all things considered, not bad as a textbook, and it has a wide selection of poems. Not too useful for advanced students of literature.

Allen Tate's Text
I would just like to add to these good reviews that Understanding Poetry was the text used by Allen Tate in his poetry class at the University of Minnesota in 1966.(You had to sign up early to get into this class because it filled up fast!)Tate taught the New Criticism which emphasized thetext as an autotelic artifact, something complete with in itself, written for its own sake, unified in its form and not dependent on its relation to the author's life or intent, history, or anything else.He began each session by reading a single poem from this text, which somehow made it clear just by his reading.Then he explained each line in careful detail.It was a wonderful class, and this book contines this kind of close reading.There is no Anxiety of Influence in the New Criticism.

The right book at the right time.
For most of my life, I hated poetry. One year, I had a great English teacher who really showed me what poetry was all about and got me interested. This book was just what I needed. I bought it because it had the look of the best prose book around (Writing Prose: Techniques and Purposes, Oxford University Press). It is a great introduction to poetry. It's full of great poems. It's just great. Gosh. You're going to love it. I get excited just thinking about it.

Anyway, it's basically just a big six-hundred page anthology of poems, *with commentary*. And that's key. There are a lot of great poems that you just can't get without a little bit of context.

My adventures in poetry never went further than this book, but I still read it often.

Bible of poets
If there is only one book that teachers should let literature students read, it should be this one. Definitely the Bible of writers (and amateur writers), critics, or those who simply love the written Word. Cleanth Brooks gives as wide a perspective as possible about the different literary movements and the notable poets.It's just a shame that this book is VERY hard to find. A reprint would benefit English literature programs greatly. ... Read more

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From their humble beginnings in dimly lit bars to the 1999 international convergence with poets from 48 cities, poetry slams - the "Olympics of poetry" - have become a cultural phenomenon. This vital anthology documents ten years of these unprecedented literary events. The book includes tips on how to win, details on how to plan a national tour, and 100 of the best slam-winning poems by contributors from throughout the U.S., including poetry slam founder Marc Smith , Lisa Martinovic, Justin Chin, and Patricia Smith. Bob Holman (producer, "The United States of Poetry") tells how to host a local poetry slam. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Bells & whistles, but no bang!
OK, OK, poetry may be said to *start* on the page, but you'd never know it from this book. For the beginner, these pages will seem gobbledygook. You'll miss the point; like reading a menu instead of eating the meal. Lacking a CD, the book suffers - ergo, the poets & poetry suffers, too. These poems were meant to be *performed*, not read, & not even being read aloud helps. There's perhaps a too-subtle difference between poetry and the performance arts for most people, but it's there nonetheless. Poetry is based on the sounds it makes, and the rhythms, and yes, the shades of meaning and feeling, but that's like saying a script is a poem. Are these arguments for academics? Is this the kind of divisiveness that, for many, killed poetry in high school? You gte to decide. But if, after reading this book you're left with that achy old feeling of "Is that all there is?", then don't be surprised. It's like you asked a goose to honk like a truck; it's like you asked morning to break like glass; it's like you expected sweet romance & got the Pillsbury doughboy. You missed the (crucial) point. The book's mostly performance art, not necessarily poetry. Like describing chocolate. ("It's brown and tastes good." What else does that?) What's poetry? "If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know *that* is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know *that* is poetry." - Emily Dickinson. Very little in this book even moved me.

Romanticizes While It Educates
"Poetry Slam" by Gary Mex Glazner is part-anthology, part-history, part-description of slams, slam poets, and slam poetry. It romanticizes the image and description, but excels as a history. As an anthology, it has much room for improvement, but this could be a result of the limits of performance poetry.

Kerouac's ghost must wonder at how formulaic slam poetry has become. From the aggressive, ideological depth of Ginsberg and Burroughs, we now have the regurgitated flavors of Whitman-wannabes evoked pretentiously in the pop-soliloquys now barraging modern poetry readings. Yet, the slam has introduced thousands of young poets that poetry is worth their time. Glazner demonstrates this inconsistency, but not intentionally as we see the up and down quality of the poetry samples he provides.

An excellent part of the book is the description of poetry slam rules, distinguishing local and national rules, and how this form is meant as an oral art form, not a written one. This is the challenge faced by every slam poetry book: how to present it. Some poems here make the transition, and there a few gems worth a read. Marc Smith, founder of the slam, has "My Father's Coat." An interesting poem called "Ali" by Michael R. Brown. opens with the compelling "Five inches shorter than his fighting height" shows some fine imagery and intriguing approaches to poetry meeting culture.

For a deeper look at Beat literature, see the "Beat Reader," or for poetry only, "Beat Poets" edited by Carmela Ciuraru. "Poetry Slam" is a good start, but these books will provide better examples of the style and quality slam poets esteem to reach.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Solid collection lacking a full historical perspective
3.5 stars, really.This anthology is a solid collection representing a wide range of voices STILL involved in the National Poetry Slam scene. Unfortunately, many voices are left out precisely because they are no longer involved in the scene which weakens the collection's importance as an historical document. Nevertheless, the poetry selected, along with the mixed bag of essays, makes this an invaluable supplement to ALOUD, still the king of "poetry slam" anthologies.

JIGGA WHAT?!GIMMESOMEMO'
i like totally hated this book.it was so wack to the mostest.really,just lame-o spazmodica.and furthermore, i know 98 percent of the peoplein this book personally.they're real square wizzies.a big bunch ificky-poo momo's.their work is so fake.it's not even them.half of thepeople writing female poetry are men.half of the men writing femalepoetry are fat.half of the young people writing old poetry are dead. half of the dead people writing new poetry are zombies.like, realzombies.don't buy this.but i did love beau sia's stuff for some randomreason.like love as in marriage.so do buy this.he gets tons ofprofits from it.but don't tell the other poets.cuz they don't.it'sall top secret.like spies.

A good breaking-in for first time readers
One of the most accesible books around for anyone even remotely interestedin poetry.If you've never been to an open mic or a slam, give this one awhirl...it'll make you want to go (and maybe even slip a poem in yourpocket before you lock the door).If you've been to an open mic andwondered what else was out there that was like what you just saw, this bookcaptures a great many of those elements for you.

Not just a book ofpoems, throughout the work are placed a great many essays written bylong-time, well-known National slam poets (Taylor Mali, Danny Solis, etc.)about nearly every aspect of reading and performing one's work...along-overdue codification of information for performing poets at ANYlevel.

Some of the poems contained within are national favorites, a fewlegend, but they ALL contain a lesson about performance poetry: that itstarts on the page.

A MUST have for any poet who is (or is considering)performing their poetry before audiences in any capacity.A necessary bitof packing for any poet with national aspirations of slamming, touring orjust reading. ... Read more

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Poetry Of Lucy Maud Montgomery is published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside.

... Read more

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This rich and unusual anthology includes lesser known poets as well as recognized masters to trace the origins and development of a distinctive poetry tradition. The poems reflect on everything from unrequited love to the political hardships and triumphs of the Irish people. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Truly complete book of Irish verse
Covers all facets of Irish life interpreted in verse. Humorous or serious, from antiquity to present, this book will open the the entire spectrum of Irish life for you to enjoy.

All poetry lovers should have this book
This anthology, selected and introduced by John Montague, begins with ancient Irish poetry and takes the reader mid-way through the 20th century.We begin with "The First Invasion of Ireland," from The Book of Invasions, and move on to some of the beautiful chants and incantations of Amergin, the chief bard of the Milesians:"I am a stag:of seven tines/I am a flood: across a plain/ I am a wind: on a deep lake/I am a tear: the Sun lets fall. . ." These ancient selections provide some of the best pagan Celtic reading I've come across.

Montague then guides us through some writings of the early monastics, such as "Marban, A Hermit Speaks:Young of all things, /bring faith to me,/ guard my door:/ the rough, unloved/ wild dogs, tall deer,/ quiet does."These writings give one the sense of a people so intimately interwoven into natural patterns and rhythms that there is no feeling of separation from Nature.

All the early selections of course are translated from the Gaelic, and we do not get into the poems written in English until later.According to Montague's excellent introduction,most poets composed in their native tongue until the nineteenth century, at which point most began writing in English."Irish literature in English is in the uneasy position that the larger part of its past lies in another language," writes Montague.Thus we read in Montague's own poem "A Grafted Tongue:Dumb,/ Bloodied, the severed/ head now chokes to/ speak another tongue:--"

But even before the use of Gaelic was waning, Irish culture was being systematically crushed by the British occupiers.The war against Ireland's native culture began before Elizabethan times.Thus, in the later poets Montague finds "a racial sensibility striving to be reborn; is it strange that it comes through with a mournful sound, like a medium's wail?":"I heard the dogs howl in the moonlight night;/ I went to the window to see the sight;/ All the Dead that ever I knew/ Going one by one and two by two. . ."(William Allingham (1824-1889).

Even in the later poets of Christianized Ireland, who write in English, the pagan past is never quite obscured.Patrick MacDonogh (1902-1961) writes in "Now the Holy Lamp of Love: "Cradling hands are all too small/And your hair is drenched with dew;/ Love though strong can build no wall/ From the hungry fox for you."And Denis Devlin (1908-1959) writes in "Ascension" of a visionary experience of blinding light.He begins with "Aengus, the god of Love, my shoulders brushed/With birds, you could say lark or thrush or thieves. . ./"but moves on to "For it was God's Son foreign to our moor:/ When I looked out the window, all was white,/And what's beloved in the heart was sure,. . ."

In so many of these poems there is beauty, grace, and felicity, juxtaposed with suffering and sometimes bitterness.Contemporary poet Paul Muldoon (born 1951) writes in "Dancers At the Moy" of horses who tore "at briars and whins,/ Ate the flesh of each other/Like people in famine. . .The local people gathered/Up the white skeletons./Horses buried for years/Under the foundations/Give their earthen floors/The ease of trampolines."Here, suffering and loss become the foundation for continued life.

A complex national character manifests through these poems.Reading them, we see the English language being borne into new poetic realms by a nation for whom English is "a grafted tongue."A wonderful book.

What a joy!
This book was just wonderful.Being a Celt by blood, I was inspired bythese wonderful works included in this collection.I hope that there willbe more of this kind of compilations that will continue to come out. ... Read more

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A distinctive collection of more than 90 effective poetry-writing exercises combined with corresponding essays to inspire writers of all levels. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

great
Stated the product as like new, it was exactly that. Sent personal confirmation email within the first 24 hours... got my book extremely fast. Thank You.

I LOVE poetry, so I'll be honest about this book:
Some writers have wonderful exercises that have helped me write and rewrite poetry. Even if you're not a poet, some of these exercises can help you. Like all books, some things will work for you, and other things will not. But overall, I like the way the book is divided. You can go straight to the section you love (or would love) to write about!

THE PRACTICE OF POETRY
Some of the exercises stimulate the muse, while others are a bit brief.
The index at the back should have covered topics and concepts.

Long and involved
These exercises are quite involved.I was hoping for some exercises for writing poetry in the high school classroom.These took quite a bit of time, but resulted in some good poems.

Not bad
Very detailed, a little too structured for my taste. I would however, reccommend it to more disciplined poets or writers. Good to have as a reference tool. ... Read more

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In this "guided" anthology, experts lead students through the major genres and eras of Chinese poetry from antiquity to the modern time. The volume is divided into 6 chronological sections and features more than 140 examples of the bestshi,sao,fu,ci, andqu poems. A comprehensive introduction and extensive thematic table of contents highlight the thematic, formal, and prosodic features of Chinese poetry, and each chapter is written by a scholar who specializes in a particular period or genre. Poems are presented in Chinese and English and are accompanied by a tone-marked romanized version, an explanation of Chinese linguistic and poetic conventions, and recommended reading strategies. Sound recordings of the poems are available online free of charge. These unique features facilitate an intense engagement with Chinese poetical texts and help the reader derive aesthetic pleasure and insight from these works as one could from the original.

Contributors: Robert Ashmore (Univ. of California, Berkeley); Zong-qi Cai; Charles Egan (San Francisco State); Ronald Egan (Univ. of California, Santa Barbara); Grace Fong (McGill); David R. Knechtges (Univ. of Washington); Xinda Lian (Denison); Shuen-fu Lin (Univ. of Michigan); William H. Nienhauser Jr. (Univ. of Wisconsin); Maija Bell Samei; Jui-lung Su (National Univ. of Singapore); Wendy Swartz (Columbia); Xiaofei Tian (Harvard); Paula Varsano (Univ. of California, Berkeley); Fusheng Wu (Univ. of Utah)

Customer Reviews (6)

go for it if you have any impulse at all
I took a long time to read this book, about 8 or 9 months. I kept being blown away and then coming back to it. There's also the frustration of wanting to be able to appreciate this material MUCH better, but I can't imagine a better introduction. Columbia University Press also hosts a web page with mp3 files of dozens and dozens of these poems being recited.

I did a few years of mandarin with traditional characters decades ago back in college but have been brushing up on it again the last few years with simplified characters, so some frustration was caused by not recognizing more of the book's traditional characters, but traditional characters and toneless pinyin are an academic convention so it's not really a shortcoming that this book follows the academic convention. I've communicated with the editor and he's planning a workbook with simplified characters which I will definitely eat up.

If you don't follow Chinese and have any interest at all, you are bound to love this book. The translations do justice to the original much more than most of what's out there and the text is uniformly interesting. The book even offers many word-by-word grids with translation to help any readers appreciate the prosody of how each syllable is loaded with meaning so their sequence has a semantic rhythm used by the master poets with power and elegance.

Chinese culture is vast and varied and this book offers a revealing introduction to why poetry has such a leading, treasured role in the high culture. As an opportunity for individual expression, its status is very unique and offers endless personally touching insights. The role of convention is also interesting because there are many conventions but these masters regularly use the existence of them cleverly to raise layered implications or introduce form-defying touches, all with flair. While this book can only survey the basics because of its vast scope, I hope to be much more than a newcomer someday and will always be grateful for this introduction.

how to read chinese poetry
This "Guided Anthology" covers the gamut of Chinese poetry, from the very beginning. Fifteen of the very best Chinese scholars are given an historical slice of the genre, from Pre-Qin Times to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It offers a thematic index as well as help on prosody, diction, syntax and structure. All translations are excellent.

Fabulous book, terrible index
Lukas Klein has a good review of this book in Rain Taxi but I think it understates just how magical the experience this book conveys of making classical Chinese come alive. Despite his complaints, I have one year of college Chinese and I felt able to handle this book, which is written entirely in English.

But the index is utterly useless. There are no entries for "couplets", "parallel couplets", "heptasyllabic," etc. for example. Terms, if they appear at all, are indexed under their pinyin names, not under their English equivalents. None of the poem titles are in the index at all so you can't look up where in the book a given poem is.

Nonetheless buy this book. But I hope the next edition fixes the index.

a great guide and a refreshing approach to classical Chinese poetry
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in classical Chinese poetry and language. It is very different from other anthologies of Chinese literature both in approach and in style, and touches upon many essential features of classical Chinese poetry.

Each chapter is written by a well-known scholar in the field. Together they provide a pretty clear picture of classical Chinese poetry. What is especially worth noting of this book is that, first, it well explains the features of Chinese poetry, such as rhymes and ping-ze patterns; it even gives pinyin romanization and tones for the Chinese texts, in addition to English translations which are side by side with the Chinese originals; and secondly, it not only looks at Chinese poetry from a literary perspective, but also tries to interpret the poetic texts according to the particular syntax of the Chinese language. This last feature well illustrates how different syntactic structures could influence the style and effect of a poem, and how the development of the syntax has impacted the development of Chinese poetry in general. Overall, the book is both resourceful and illuminating.

A Must-Have for Chinese Poetry Learners
This book is perfectly designed for a variety of Chinese poetry readers, learners, and even researchers. The eighteen chapters starting from The Book of Poetry and ends with the Ming-Qing poetry cover Chinese poetry tradition of more than two thousand years and all types of Chinese poetry genres and sub-genres in this marvelous tradition. You will easily get to know how Chinese poetry developed for two thousand years even just after scanning the Primary Table of Contents!

In these chapters, authors deliberately choose great poems of each important period or Dynasty in Chinese history. They not only list these poems in Chinese characters, translate them into English (for regulated verses and songs, there is even word by word translation), and show each word in pinyin with tones, but also analyze these beautiful poems in historical background and poetic tradition. The templates of poems, including original Chinese texts, English translation and Chinese pinyin with tones to a great extent help Chinese language learners to learn how to understand Chinese poetry word by word andhow to recite them in Chinese. The analysis of poems following will largely improve your knowledge of how to appreciate the beauty of Chinese poems, and more importantly, will help you get to see the great ideas underlying those poetic lines in terms of culture, history, religion, art, music, and etc.

And the well-done thematic table of contents, glossary-index, list of entering tones, and careful explanations of syntax, structure, and many other major issues of Chinese poetry will be very useful even for a scholar of Chinese poetry. You will save plenty of time looking up those important informations in all kinds of Chinese dictionaries!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A beginning poet's best source of inspiration
Anyone can be a poet without really knowing it. "Poetry for Beginners" is a guide to those who want to embrace lyrical verse as an art form. Seeking to inspire people to the power and relevance of poetry, authors Margaret Chapman and Kathleen Welton give readers plenty to soak in and embrace poetry's endless potential for expression. Speaking on major poets throughout the world and with plenty of examples, "Poetry for Beginners" is truly a beginning poet's best source of inspiration. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THIS SERIES.THE ART IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!
I cannot think of a better way to introduce the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay than this small volume.The selection is excellent and of interest you the young reader.The commentary is quite relevant as are the pictures which accompany it which by the way are worth the price of the book alone.I find that often now, our young people go all the way through the early grades in school and many of them have never heard of Millay much less read her poetry.This was the sort of stuff my generation and the generation before it grew up on and cut our teeth on.I do not feel I am any worse for the wear.I am fearful that we are bringing up an entire generation (rightfully or wrong, although I feel it is the later) of young folks who will have no appreciation to this great art form and will miss a lot.This book helps.This entire series helps, as a matter of fact and I certainly recommend you add this one and the others to your library.Actually, it is rather fun reading these with the young folk and then talking about them.Not only do you get to enjoy the work your self and perhaps bring back some great memories, but you have the opportunity to interact with your child or student.It is actually rather surprising what some of the kids come up with.I read these to my grandchildren and to the kids in my classes at school.For the most part, when I really get to discussing the work with them, they enjoy it.Recommend this one highly.

Beautiful.
The illustrations and the poetry create feelings and emotions which go beyond the pages. Mike Bryces illustrations pull you into the poetry with a style that is breath taking. The poetry will linger in your mind the illustrations in your heart. You will find yourself going to it time and time again.

Great... but not the best for a young reader...
This will be a reallly personal review.
I first discovered Edna in my senior high school humanities class.When I first read it I thought, "That's so real! That's me! I can relate to that!"She so eloquently put what I wanted to say but was not capable of in my late teens and early 20's into words.
Now that I am past the dating years and finally read a short bio on the author I realize that all I really liked about her writing was that she was a modern day "fast girl" (if you catch my drift).I really feel betrayed because I thought I was so literate and now I wonder what liking her poetry so much said about me.
So now I feel for the author beacause she chose to live in the fast lane and then dull the pain and escape into drugs and alcohol... which maybe was the better choice for her if infamous was on her list of things to become.
Though I do recommend her reading strongly in general because it's romantic and interesting and delightful, I don't think it's appropriate for "young people" with lines like "What lips my lips have kissed"... Unless ofcourse instilling Catholic schoolgirl guilt into your child is at the top of your priority list... or you want to give her poems to read to her boyfriend... or something... use your discretion...

Poetry, Art and a Life all in One
I opened this book at weekly Storytime...my son likes to play with the trains while my daughters listen to the story.. I thought, "I'll just look at this for a moment" and I was transfixed for the entirety of storytime.

Yes, as the other reviewers have stated the illustrations are amazing, the poetry.... mind opening.Another facet of this book is the brief and compelling biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay.

I knew very little about her... now that I know the little that I know from this book, I am hungry for more of her work as well as more of her life.

Excellent book -- I am going to look into other titles in this series as well (The Poetry for Young People ) to see if the others are as above average as this one.

Each illustration could be the focus of additional conversation: I see myself reading these poems repeatedly with my children. They are simple, elegant and timeless.

Touching poetry accented with gorgeous illustrations
Picked up this up recently while browsing my local bookstore and was taken aback by the beautiful artwork found in this collection of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poems. I bought it on the spot! Not only are poem's heart-wrenchingly personal and affecting, the watercolor's are a feast for the eyes. I've shown this book to many of my peers who share my enthusiasmand have consequently picked it up as well. Strongly recommended! ... Read more

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A Zen poem is nothing other than an expression of the enlightened mind, a handful of simple words that disappear beneath the moment of insight to which it bears witness. Poetry has been an essential aid to Zen Buddhist practice from the dawn of Zen—and Zen has also had a profound influence on the secular poetry of the countries in which it has flourished. Here, two of America’s most renowned poets and translators provide an overview of Zen poetry from China and Japan in all its rich variety, from the earliest days to the twentieth century. Included are works by Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, Basho, Chiao Jan, Yuan Mei, Ryokan, and many others. Hamill and Seaton provide illuminating introductions to the Chinese and Japanese sections that set the poets and their work in historical and philosophical context. Short biographies of the poets are also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

A beautiful and thought provoking book on the poetry of Zen.
I have had an interest in Zen and Asian poetry for more than forty years.This fantastic book begins with an introduction to how the philosophy of Zen can directly relate to a beautiful poem.This book has two sections.The first section covers Chinese poems taken from numerous sources. The second section covers poems from the Japanese poetry masters.In general, the Chinese poems are a little longer in length; nevertheless, all the poems in this collection are a joy to read. If you like Asian poetry, you will love this book.It is filled with beautiful and thoughtful poems that may provide you with Zen enlightement.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author:Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors, Martial Art Myths, Combatives Vol. 1, 2, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Never Trust a Politician)

A Superb Blend of Zen Poems - Chinese and Japanese
Hamill and Seaton produced a superb blend of Chinese and Japanese Zen poems in their text, The Poetry of Zen, is a lovely pocket-sized book that is suitable for pre-meditation reading, thoughtful consideration by a couple at a coffee shop, or an interesting peak into Zen by students and world literature readers.

I enjoyed it in an afternoon sipping coffee and pondering the settings in which these authors wrote.These are amazing thoughts and words by what society wouldhave often considered simple men and women.

I especially enjoyed the information about the original authors of the poems.Hamill and Seaton included paragraphs about each author and the period and location of their writing whenever known.I found this work insightful and delightful, and I appreciate the authors' careful work in translating these poems into English.

Inspiring for Zen Buddhists and/or Poets

A wonderful book containing succinct translations of Japanese and Chinese poems relating to zen. The book never fails to inspire me to practise zazen or to write a poem. What I love most is the sense of humour so many of the poems have, reminding us how joy and laughter remain crucial to life and the most serious-minded meditation student. Recommended.

Skillfully translated and edited
Skillfully translated and edited by award-winning poet Sam Hamill and Professor of Chinese J.P. Seaton, The Poetry of Zen is an anthology of the poetic Buddhist expressions of enlightened minds. Collecting works by a wide variety of great authors, including Lao Tzu, Han Shan, Li Po, Dogen Kigen, Saigyo, and many more, The Poetry of Zen offers a cross-section of historical classics that all have in common a resonating theme conducive to meditation, reflection, and self-transformation. Highly recommended. "Everything must end. / Thus the day tries to begin / with the morning bell. / But the long night remains, / empty moon still in the sky."

Thoughtful volume
This collection is very satisfying. There are useful and short essays on zen poetry, and the poetry is kernel sized but with outsized messages. And, like all good poetry, lets you gap fill and extrapolate.Pick up a copy of "Japanese Death Poems" to compliment this collection. ... Read more

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Edited by best-selling author Marilyn Sewell, this rich and diverse anthology of more than 300 poems celebrates the sacredness of women's lives: the experiences that shape them, the relationships that sustain them, and the legacy that they build.In these poems, woman grow old, defy conventions and limits, fall in love and out again, wonder at their own bodies, and sing of the earth and sky.They pray, give birth, and make sense of suffering.As Sewell explains, "Those who write these verses do so out of exquisite courage...... They show us how to live."Amazon.com Review
Marilyn Sewell is a Unitarian minister interested incelebrating the sacredness of women's lives. Her previous work was acollection of writings about women's spirituality. Here, she collectsthe works of the very best contemporary women poets (Maxine Kumin,Nikki Giovanni, Rita Dove, and Tess Gallagher, among others) to createa kaleidoscope of shifting women's experiences. Some of thoseexperiences are universal, of course. The inevitability of death, say,or the difficulties of relationships, aren't experiences exclusive towomen's lives (though men and women will often experience these thingsdifferently). The book is most fascinating when it does focus onexperiences that are exclusive to women. There are poems aboutmiscarriages, giving birth, and how women's bodies change through theyears. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Breathtaking!
After reading Cries of the Spirit I couldn't wait to purchase Claiming the Spirit Within and I have not in any way been disappointed.The poetry in this book showcases an array of women's voices that speak to a multitude of women's experiences.I cannot put this book down and I find myself returning to re-read some of the poems so that I can experience the full effect of an image that is created.I wish I could buy a copy of this book for every one of my women friends to be a companion on their journeys.

A must for your bookshelf
This anthology of women's poetry is great. If you don't have it, get it.

Living Poetry
How often do you read poetry and say - this has nothing to do with me and my life ?That will not happen when you read Claiming the Spirit Within.Marilyn Sewell has put together poetry that lives, breathes and just is.The women whose poetry has been selected for this compilation are not just good poets but possess an earthy spiritual quality.They explore all aspects of a woman's life including love, the body, family, frienship, death and illness with a confidence that is larger than life.As Marilyn Sewell puts it, "these poets show us how to live".I can only wonder at why some of these women poets; much better than some of the male poets that I have read, are not household names.

Enriching description of women's experience
As a poet and writer, I am drawn to this book.The poetry is rich, accessible and honest.As a woman, I was astonished by the wealth of experiences shared by so many.There is a commonality in the words yetthere is nothing common about this book.An extraordiary find, I would nothesitate to share this book with my daughter (who is 13).It is a valuableresource for explaining life's variable condition as well as honoring thesacredness of female experience. Editor Marilyn Sewell has done anoutstanding job in selecting her subjects and poets.

Inspirational support and insightful self-explorations
Right beside my bed, you'll find my latest novel, my Bible, my journal, and now this collection of poems. It's easy to only read one verse of the Bible a night, but I can't help but read more than one of these poems! I consider it a nightly reward for my mind, for my soul, to be able to share the thoughts of these talented poets on subjects and experiences familiar to every woman. I highly recommend this book! ... Read more

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The Nobel Prize-winning poet Czeslaw Milosz began his remarkable A Treatise on Poetry in the winter of 1955 and finished it in the spring of 1956. It was published originally in parts in the Polish émigré journal Kultura. Now it is available in English for the first time in this expert translation by the award-winning American poet Robert Hass.

A Treatise on Poetry is a great poem about some of the most terrible events in the twentieth century. Divided into four sections, the poem begins at the end of the nineteenth century as a comedy of manners and moves with a devastating momentum through World War I to the horror of World War II. Then it takes on directly and plainly the philosophical abyss into which the European cultures plunged.

Customer Reviews (2)

A great poet's most important work
This long and complex poem poses the explicit against the inexplicit, the aesthetic against the historical, nature against culture and history, history against freedom and human aspiration. The preface prescribes a simple enough formula for poetry: plain language "in the mother tongue," images, rhythm, dreaminess. But it notes that poetry written to this formula "was bypassed by the dry sharp world." That world is Poland of the first half of the twentieth century. The problem posed by this treatise is how poetry can account for reality, specifically the reality of history, and still function aesthetically. The problem occurs not because an allegiance to history is an adequate response to human difficulties-individual memory, freedom, and universal aesthetic ideals are superior to it-but because history represents a necessity that must be adequately acknowledged. The simple answer is that poetry must include the actual world, and not settle for merely recording emotions, as some of the poets of Milosz's youth did. But this is more easily said than done. Talented poets, many of them named in the Treatise, have failed to find adequate ways of accounting for historical reality. Negotiating between aesthetic idealism and coruscating rationalism, uniting "Freedom and Necessity," is the task Milosz sets for himself. The poem is divided into four parts, plus the brief preface. "Beautiful Times," the first section, depicts Krakow, the seat of polish culture, around 1900. The second section, "The Capital," set in Warsaw, assesses poet by poet the state of Polish poetry before the Second World War, and criticizes its inability to account for the massive rush of history that was about to occur. The third and most powerful section, "The Spirit of History," depicts through scenes of the Occupation in Poland the terrible consequence of Nazi and Polish idealism. Both represent the failure of history, culture, and language to form coherent and realistic world-views: Nazi idealism undermined by inhuman brutality, Polish idealism betrayed by incoherent and outdated romanticism. The last section, set in Pennsylvania, considers America as an escape from history and culture into nature, which Milosz finds "hostile to art," and examines the implications for a poet of being in such a place (he would soon return to Europe) after the great failure of poetry and culture embodied in the war.

A reading experience and textual event not to be missed.
Every poet should read this seminal work. And if you're not a poet, you should read "A Treatise" to understand poetry, learn history and tune into your inner self. It is a reading experience and a textual event that should not be missed.Milosz has written one of the great poems of our century. It is a shame that it took half a century to get the full English translation out, which corrects a serious deficit in the cultural terms of trade between Poland and the English-speaking world. It is as if Shakespeare's Hamlet or Othello has only just been translated into Polish. If you're familiar with "The Wasteland" of TS Eliot, you will compare "A Treatise on Poetry" very favourably to to the 1922 modernist classic.Indeed, it is an improvement on Eliot's masterpiece in four crucial respects. First, "A Treatise" maintains an overall structure and form that the amorphous "Wasteland" lacks. The English translation may not have retained the metrical structure of the original, but conveys the sense of form Milosz carefully constructed to carry his theme.Second, although the poem manipulates myth and symbols to register the brutal truths of our century, it does not shy from recording historical events or capturing the drama of individual lives. Despite its wide historical canvas, stories of our innermost being are told and you will enter the skin of real lives long consigned to dust. Third, the poem addresses you at several levels. Its tone ranges from the bright, breezy and hopeful to the elegaic and tragic and downshifts to a deep and quiet understanding.The modulations in mood and voice are exceptionally rendered, making the reading of the poem an experience in itself. Fourth, "A Treatise on Poetry" lives up to its title without ever being ponderous, technical or trite. Reading the detailed notes to illuminate the symbolic shorthand of the verse enhances your reading experience. With an intimate understanding of Polish poetry, its pracititioners and their interaction with the driving forces of the first half-century, Milosz offers a compelling portrait of poetry's potential, its limitations, and its reach. You will come away despairing of humanity, but sanguine about the value and use of poetry. In conclusion, Milosz has written a great work of art that defies easy paraphrase, facile criticism or quick comparisions. It must simply be experienced. I am quite confident that it will be considered one of the greatest poems of our century in the years ahead. ... Read more

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Tony Hoagland captures the recognizably American landscape of a man of his generation:  sex, friendship, rock and roll, cars, high optimism, and disillusion.  With what Robert Pinsky has called “the saving vulgarity of American poetry,”  Hoagland’s small biographies of destruction reveal that defeat is a natural prelude to grace and loss a kind of threshold to freedom.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The sweetness of Hoagland's 'Sweet Ruin'
I cannot begin to tell you how I felt when, in 1994, I first read Hoagland's 'Sweet Ruin'-the language and the imagery just sparked a recognition in me in the midst of all the dozens of other poets and poetry.

It was a college workshop with a very well-known poet running it, and the text we were using was 'The New American Poets of the '90s' and I remember the professor seemed to be a bit amused at my choice when we were allowed to choose a favorite--all around were picking Robert Pinsky or Rita Dove (pretty big names in workshop circles, as I remember, and here was this complete--to me--unknown) and he asked me to read 'Sweet Ruin', and afterwards he said to me thoughtfully, scratching his bearded chin, that I'd heard Hoagland exactly right, the rhythms, everything. My favorite part, the end:

"I think there must be something wrong
with me, or wrong with strength, that I would
break my happiness apart
simply for the pleasure of the sound.
The sound the pieces make. What is wrong

with peace? I couldn't say.
But, sweet ruin, I can hear you.
There is always the desire.
Always the cloud, suddenly present
and willing to oblige."


I can't tell you what it was, but all these years later I always come back to this: the poem, the poet, the collection, and it still resonates for me in a way that nothing else ever has--as if he has explained me to me, but at the same time, made my excuses.

He's not my kind of poet.
I do like some of them but mostly I have trouble understanding exactly what he is saying. Reading his poetry is similar to looking at particularly difficult abstract art. I bought this book because I had heard one of his poems and was blown away by the subject matter and the wording.

i am beginning to like this poetry stuff.
for about a year i have been struggling with my good intentions to try and fall in love with poems. now, i may be turning the corner. this is the 2nd book of poetry in a row that i have really, really enjoyed. last week i finished al purdy's "rooms for rent in the outer planets," and now i just got done with tony hoagland's "sweet ruin." both fantastic. hoagland's book had me turning pages with joy, rather than with the sense of a chore being gotten through. i highly recomend this book.

Run, do not walk, to this book.
One of the most important books of poetry to ever cross my path. I return to this constantly. Earnest, real, vivid -- none of these words suffice to how incredible this book is. Get on it.

I am grateful to have read this - so beautiful
I have read this aloud over the phone to friends thousands of miles away. I've read it aloud at dinner parties. I've purchased it for friends. This is a remarkable collection of poems, a treasure. I don't want to sound so precious about it, but I can't help it. I found Hoagland's writing when I was 20, and I'm sure I'll still be coming back to the same poems when I'm an old lady. Amazing! ... Read more

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Product Description
This volume captures the passion, intelligence, and variety of the New Poetry that is sweeping America. Combining spectacular images and a feast of language, this companion volume to the ITVS television series features 80 contemporary poems by everyone from Brodsky to Leonard Cohen to Allen Ginsberg to Jimmy Carter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

PBS Compilation Da Bomb
I loved this collection. I especially liked the Peter Frampton retrospective at the end. He really is one of America's greatest writers, and a mormon, too, I understand. And "I'm not going to wear thatthing" rules. Keep up the good work. Surf Reality.

The author has done a wonderful job in piecing this together
These poems express a rather cultural aspect of American Society.Each reader will, in most cases, be able to "connect" with these poems and what they stand for.They are definately not the typical poems, butwhat is typical anyway?People from different cultures and differentbackrounds will identify with the entirety of this book. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

Maya Angelou: Positive Encouragement for Young People.
This book consists of 25 poems written by Maya Angelou, and it includes some significant choices for young people to find inspiration.Many of these poems discuss experiences that many people can relate to, but they also provide a sense of hope to all who read the selections.
Two of the most influential poems included in this book are "Still I Rise" and "Me and My Work."These poems are great inspirations for young adolescents, especially since most young people in this stage of development struggle with identity and finding their place in this world."Still I Rise" is a poem that encourages young people to overcome obstacles and stand proud.Angelou writes, "Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise. I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, welling and swelling I bear in the tide.Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise."Even though this poem is referring to the hope of a young slave, these words are inspirational for anyone overcoming an obstacle in life, and never losing hope despite the hardships.
"Me and My Work" is a poem about perseverance and hard work.This is a great poem for young people to read for them to gain appreciation for the work their parents do, and for them to understand that hard work and perseverance pay off.Angelou writes, "My story ain't news and it ain't all sad. There's plenty worse off than me. Yet the only thing I really don't need is strangers' sympathy. That's someone else's word for caring."These lines remind us that things could be worse than they are, and we should always be thankful for what we do have.Maya Angelou also reminds us that we should take pride in ourselves and our lives, and never to thrive on other's sympathy.Young people are often unhappy and want what they don't have, but they rarely acknowledge the situations that could be worse than what they experience.
This collection of poetry by Maya Angelou is inspirational, and it paints a picture for young people to see the positive side of situations.Adolescence is a tough stage in life and it is characterized by many changes and uncertainties, but Angelou's poetry can be used to encourage and hope in our young people.

Beautiful Words & Art!
This is such a beautiful book and of course Maya's poems are so moving and inspirational.
This is a keepsake for any child or youth..
My granddaughter loves it!

Beautiful poetry with beautiful illustrations
Wonderful poetry selections for young people, complete with definitions of words that kids might be unsure of, and some questions for reflection. The illustrations are a gorgeous complement to the poems. ... Read more

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Every year since 1988 a major poet has selected seventy-five poems for publication in The Best American Poetry. The series has quickly grown in both sales and prestige, as poetry itself has seen a remarkable resurgence in popularity and vitality, fueled by established poets at the peak of their powers and a new generation of daring voices. As we approach the millennium, now is the opportune moment to take stock of american poetry and choose the work that will stand the test of time. Harold Bloom, a commanding presence on the American literary state, has read all 750 poems in the series and has picked the "best of the best." He precedes his selections with a compelling and highly provocative essay on the state of American letters, in which he fiercely champions the endangered realm of the aesthetic over the politically correct. Diverse in style, method, and metaphor, the seventy-five poems Bloom has chosen go a long way toward defining a contemporary canon of American poetry. This exciting volume reflects not only the taste of the current editor, but the predilections of the all-star list of poets who have contributed their time and intellect to make this series what is today: a "valuable, invaluable, supervaluable" (Beloit Poetry Journal) record of an ever-changing, always exciting art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Can Monkeys Throw Darts?Did Bloom?
I'm pro-Bloom in the general political/aesthetic sense, and it was satisfying for me to see him crystalize some of my sentiments in his foreword. But I bought the book for the poetry, and (judging from the other Best... books I own) I'm of the opinion that Bloom did a mediocre job aseditor.His options were, thankfully, limited to a set comprised mostly ofstrong poems.This book could probably have survived the abuses of amonkey-throwing-darts-at-a-list-of-options editor.

Bloom is a bit of a grump.
Here in Australia, where I've been living for twenty years as a teacher, I'd lost contact with American poetry. I happened on the Poetry Daily web site and dived in. And found, I could order books through Amazon which I'dnever seen. I now have two shelves of much read poetry and more incontainers on slow ships on their way. I remember the pleasure I got fromreading the commentaries and the poems in the Best...of 1997. So when I sawthe Best of the Best (Harold Bloom's ed) I picked it up here, even thoughit was very expensive. While I enjoyed most of the poems, I found hisintroduction surprising. What a grump!

Esoteric & Ivory Tower
I could relate to about 1/10th of the poems.My instinct (late from the moldering glades of the academy) is that these poems were chosen to broaden (not deepen) the moat around the ivory tower -- poetry IS dead in thisvolume, mostly.

Should be called the worst of the best
Face it--Bloom is insulated, not in touch with the real issues and trends facing poetry today.His utter rejection of Adrienne Rich and her volume of 1996--one of the best in the series--only shows to his detriment, nothers, and to the detriment of this volume.While there are memorablemoments in Bloom's volume, it falls flat for its lack of relevance to thelives lived by poets and readers alike in this day and age.

Bloom's temper tantrum relegates this one to mediocrity.
How disappointing! Harold Bloom's diatribe against Adrienne Rich and her selections for the 1996 edition was not unexpected. However, to make inclusion in her volume the acid test of their unworthiness for inclusionin his own was nothing more than an act of shallow spitefulness on hispart. One must read only a few pages into the anthology to appreciate justhow unfair the decision is to the 1996 authors and to the readers whobought the decennial collection based on their trust for the series and theeditorial integrity Mr. Lehman has, until now, provided. A. R. Ammons, oneof Mr. Bloom's blessed, hits us right on with a poem titled"Garbage". "Garbage" rambles pointlessly--animprovisation so says the poet in his own note--and, while it may reflect adegree of instrumental virtuosity, it made me very sad to think as Islogged through it that Wang Ping's lovely "Song of CallingSouls" had been left out in order to accomplish Bloom's little tempertantrum. While I appreciate Bloom's perspective and criticism, I think hisdecisions in relation to this volume escalates a situation that desperatelyneeds to be de-escalated and focused on real issues of aesthetics andartistic integrity. Such an experienced writer, scholar and critic asHarold Bloom should have known better than to act out this juvenilehyperbole. And Mr. Lehman should have insisted on some selection from eachyear of the series' offerings. Like form in poetry, a few simple, arbitraryrules have helped keep this series interesting. In this case it would havesaved Bloom this embarrassment. It is his reputation, not Rich's, that willsuffer. ... Read more

Product Description
Concise and accessible, this guide to teaching the art of poetry from Shakespeare to contemporary poets enables anyone to learn about how poets approach their art. Teachers can use this book to explore any facet or era of poetry. Any reader can use it as an entryway into the art of poetry. Teaching the Art of Poetry shows poetry as a multi-faceted artistic process rather than a mystery on a pedestal. It demystifies the art of poetry by providing specific historical, social, and aesthetic contexts for each element of the art. It is a nuts-and-bolts approach that encourages teachers and students to work with poetry as a studio art--something to be explored, challenged, assembled and reassembled, imagined, and studied--all the things that an artist does to present poetry as a search for meaning. This book advocates poetry as an essential tool for aesthetic, cultural, and linguistic literacy. It portrays poetry as an art rather than a knowledge base, and methods for integrating the art of poetry into the school curriculum. The authors' intention is not to fill gaps; it is to change how poetry is presented in the classroom, to change how it is taught and how students think about it.
Teaching the Art of Poetry:
* Emphasizes hands-on experiences. Over 160 exercises focus attention on the dynamics of the art of poetry. Activities include group work, peer editing, critical thinking skills, revising drafts, focused reading, oral communication, listening skills, and vocabulary, as well as mechanics and usage.
* Features a week-long lesson plan in each chapter to aid the teacher. These relate the main aspects of each chapter to classroom activities and, in addition, include a "Beyond the Week" section to promote further investigation of the topic.
* Promotes an integrated approach to poetry. The examples used in each chapter show poetry as a living tradition.
* Makes extensive use of complete poems along with extracts from many others.
* Does not talk down to teachers--is teacher oriented and jargon free.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Essential for English Classrooms
Imagine this:In an inner city classroom, students examining a haiku debate over denotation and connotation of words (one boy looks up a word, then cross-references all words in the definition), mood and atmosphere, use and significance of rhyme, syntax and word placement, purpose of and meaning from punctuation marks, imagery, shape and symbol.How does this happen?With activities from Baron Wormser and David Cappella's book Teaching the Art of Poetry:The Moves. No magic or experience required.

Based on the premise that poetry contains all the essentials for understanding language and how we use it, Teaching the Art of Poetry explains how teachers can create "poetry-based classrooms" to raise language learning to higher levels of critical thinking and analysis.Compact and easy to use, each chapter begins with an essay on an element of language/poetry from grammar, punctuation and capitalization to details, metaphor, image and sound as well as techniques specific to poetry such as stanzas and form.Wormser and Cappella, however, understand the plight of overburdened teachers; those who have little time for reading may skim the essay and skip to each chapter's classroom exercises, lesson plans and bibliography.The application exercises are clear, simple and easy to implement without the use of extra planning or materials, yet they guarantee to change the way students think and learn about language, which influences everything else they do in an English class. The potential is exponential.

After carefully perusing almost every book for middle and secondary English found at the National Council of Teachers of English, November 2000, Teaching the Art of Poetry clearly wins as the most useful book exhibited.Rarely does one find such an invaluable gem in educational literature, containing sound pedagogy, brave technique, and practical applications to transform the language classroom.Teaching the Art of Poetry is a must for all teachers of English!

Teaching the Art of Poetry:The Moves
I have taught poetry-writing for years and have found little on the market of any use until The Moves.Before using this text, I relied on a gut sense of what exercises might work with high school kids and on readingthem lots of examples of poetry I thought they would enjoy.What isexceptional about this book is, first of all, its eloquence:teachingaside, I'd recommend this text to anyone who simply loves rich, sensuallanguage; clearly, honest-to-God poets wrote it. (How often has anyone beeninspired by a textbook?)The exercises ask the student to examineprofessional poetry in fresh ways, and each chapter deals with a specificwriting skill; for example, narrating, organization, endings.The chaptercalled "Architecture" is especially well done.Highlyrecommended for high school English teachers and for any student of poetry. ... Read more