9780679745259
Six American Poets: An Anthology share button
Joel Conarroe
Format Paperback
Dimensions 5.17 (w) x 7.96 (h) x 0.65 (d)
Pages 320
Publisher Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Publication Date December 1993
ISBN 9780679745259
Book ISBN 10 0679745254
About Book

Here are the most enduring works of six great American poets, collected in a single authoritative volume. From the overflowing pantheism of Walt Whitman to the exquisite precision of Emily Dickinson; from the democratic clarity of William Carlos Williams to the cerebral luxuriance of Wallace Stevens; and from Robert Frost's deceptively homespun dramatic monologues to Langston Hughes's exuberant jazz-age lyrics, this anthology presents the best work of six makers of the modern American poetic tradition. Six American Poets includes 247 poems, among them such famous masterpieces as "I Hear America Singing," "The Idea of Order at Key West," "The Dance," and "Mending Wall," as well as lesser-known works. With perceptive introductory essays by the distinguished scholar Joel Conarroe and selections that capture the distinctive voices and visions of its authors, this volume is an invaluable addition to any poetry library.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A collection of famous and lesser-known poems by Whitman, Dickinson, Williams, Stevens, Frost and Hughes. (Dec.)

Library Journal

Unlike most recent anthologies of American poetry--which, because they are directed largely at an audience of other poets, strive frantically to be as inclusive as possible--Conarroe's selection aims at ``the general reader interested in being introduced, in an unhurried way, to some major voices.'' Selections are from America's greatest and most representative poets: Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost, and Langston Hughes. Though one may cavil at particular omissions or inclusions, especially the practice of excerpting Whitman's ``Song of Myself,'' Conarroe's anthology is a superb introduction to the pleasures of poetry for the general reader. The fine introduction and prefaces provide added assistance to those who, starting here, will doubtlessly want to continue ex ploring poetry. Highly recommended. BOMC selection.-- Frank J. Lepkowski, Oakland Univ., Rochester, Mich.