Book Description
A. David Moody's Thomas Stearns Eliot: Poet was published to acclaim in 1979, with a successful paperback following in 1980. This carefully revised and corrected second edition, with a specially written preface and a new appendix, meets the demand for one of the classic studies of the twentieth century's best-known poet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Thomas Stearns Eliot Poet by A. David Moody
I have taken many notes from this beautifully written book about Eliot by A. David Moody. Never have I read anything on Eliot that has so moved me as a poet, both on the professional and personal level. I was impressed by Professor Moody's incisive, original insights and finely shaped prose. I read literary criticism, as I read literature in general, for the knowledge gained, for intellectural stimulation and for the sheer pleasure of "a good read."Moody achieves all this and more. As a reader I was taken for the first time into the complex workings of Eliot's mind, emotions and creative life via the poetry, as presented by Moody. This is imaginative and thought-provoking book, while all the time expressed inbeautiful prose. A poet of Eliot's stature deserves the best of critical writing and this is what Moody brings into the field of Eliot criticism.I recommend this book to all who are interested in Eliot and also to those who enjoy a book for the sheer pleasure it brings, as a literary work in itself. You can't go wrong with Thomas Stearns Eliot Poet by A. David Moody.
-- Carolyn M. Grassi, poet, creative writing teacher (Pacifica, CA)
author: Transparencies, Poems (Patmos Press, San Francisco CA)
Journey to Chartres (Black Swan Books)

Useful in some respects, but overall somewhat disappointing
A. David Moody's THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT: Poet first appeared in 1979 and proved a very popular account of the Eliot's entire body of poetry. This second edition appeared in 1994, and besides minor corrections it features a new preface and a new appendix.

Moody's focus here is on Eliot's poetry in itself. The poet's biography is kept to a minimum, and there is little discussion of the role of Vivien Eliot, let alone Emily Hale or Jean Verdenal. The poems are, however, linked to Eliot's thoughts as a critic. In the main, Moody examples the metre and imagery of Eliot's writing, and in the later poetry the social and political concepts that the poet sought to express.

While the book is useful, I was unhappy with it for several reasons. One is that Moody's writing is extremely plodding. I read criticism frequently, and I find this probably the most unfriendly accounts of a poet's work that I've yet encountered. The poor typesetting and printing don't help either, and one expects better of Cambridge University Press.

Furthermore, the book is also dated in many respects. One can rejoice that it appeared after the discovery of the manuscripts of "The Waste Land", saving us from the old conjectures such as "The Hollow Men" coming out of TWL scraps. Nonetheless, the discussion of the early poetry lacks all the material revealed after the discovery of the drafts collected in Inventions of the March Hare Poems 1909-1917. Furthermore, the main body of the work was left alone when the second edition appeared, and the author says outright that he did not want to include recent developments in Eliot studies. What kind of scholar intentionally ignores progress in the field?

And finally, Moody's discussion of the "Burbank" poem completely ignores its anti-Semitism. Now, since Moody is examining the work instead of the man, I don't expect him to hammer Eliot for it, but no one can deny that the crude reference to the Jew in the poem makes it very weak poetry.

If you are a fan of T.S. Eliot's work, this is worth seeking out in your university's collections. Copies are now priced economically, so getting your own copy might be appealing, but I still think that it's not worth it. ... Read more

Product Description
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Book Description
A concise survey of Eliot's poetry and prose. Discusses the influence other writers had on his work and the manner in which Eliot's religious feelings found expressions in his poems and essays. ... Read more

Book Description
Features 19 songs from the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber classic: The Ad-dressing of Cats * The Ballad of Billy M'Caw * Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town * Grizabella: The Glamour Gat * Growltiger's Last Stand * Gus: The Theatre Cat * Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats * The Journey to the Heavyside Layer * Macavity: The Mystery Cat * Memory * Mr. Mistoffelees * Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer * The Naming of Cats * Old Deuteronomy * The Old Gumbie Cat * Overture * The Rum Tum Tugger * Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat * The Song of the Jellicles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

CATS
Not that I know how to play the music well but I wanted to have the music for reading along with poetry book. Would be nice if they had the music book as a ring so can open to a piece and not ruin the book. I just wanted a keepsake because may not have a chance to see it again, on stage. A black cover and the yellow eyes which show figures of cats posing a figure.

Totally Awesome
This book is totally awesome and is highly recommended for anyone who love the broadway musical "Cats".I have seen it twice now and look forward to seeing it again if the opportunity arises.Having this book lets me live what I have seen and remember the beauty, joy and fun of the show.I'm very excited to have this book.

Cats
This is an excellent reference for vocal instruction.I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoyed the musical.

It's all here...
Okay, so I wasn't a big CATS fan. I have never seen the show, but have heard the music from CDs. I must say the music is highly addictive. And it's Andrew Lloyd Webber, so how could you go wrong? This book would be the best book for piano because it contains basically every song. But, I have to warn beginners, it can be extremly hard. Most of the songs jump around between sharps and flats, and when they do it's usually four or five at a time! It will take alot of practice to get it down. All the songs are fun to play. It's one of those books where you start at the beginning, and play every song without skipping any. Overall a great buy.

If You Love MUSIC and CATS This Is The Book For You.
Wow!I was amazed how great and useful this book was.It includes 19 songs of Cats Classics.Most every song is written just like Andrew Lloyd Webber did himself.It also includes pictures from various Cats casts through out the years.If you are a theater buff, and enjoy being up on stage, then this is a great audition book.With songs like Memory, Skimbleshanks, Gus:The Theatre Cat, Mr. Mistoffeles, and many others. It will leave you at the piano for hours playing away.When of the best things about this is that it is the COMPLETE book of songs from the musical.I highly recommend this, and I hope you will enjoys this as much as I did. ... Read more

Product Description
Polish translations of the poems.64 pages. ... Read more