Multiples

The rediscovery of Greek and Roman literature kickstarted the Renaissance in Europe. In a similar way, though on a somewhat smaller scale, the conveniently Imagist makeover of Chinese poetry by Ezra Pound and Amy Lowell undoubtedly had a seismic and far-reaching effect on later 20th century American poetry. In his learned Introduction to this outstanding and indispensable Anthology, Weinberger traces the many subsequent debts owed by a galaxy of fine American poets to that seminal work of re-invention. Such impressively talented scholar-translators as Burton Watson, J. P Seaton, Jonathan Chaves and several others receive an honourable mention, though their work is well anthologised elsewhere, and Weinberger¡¦s brief seems to have been only to include full-time poets: with the possible exception of Hinton, that is. (However, Sam Hamill's, Arthur Sze's and David Young's names have inexplicably been left out: all three of them marvellous contemporary re-interpreters of the classical Chinese tradition, and all three fine poets in their own right.)

Weinberger concentrates in particular on five exemplary writers: Ezra Pound himself, William Carlos Williams, Kenneth Rexroth, Gary Snyder, and David Hinton. They are certainly all major figures, and it's useful to have them grouped together in this way (particular since the last of them diverges in such interesting ways from the Imagist 'Less is More'tradition: though he certainly 'makes it new' in accordance with that central dictum, which is even quoted in the original Chinese characters both on the cover and on the titlepage).

I thought I already knew quite a lot about American translators from classical Chinese---a whole shelf of mine already groans under their weight---but the William Carlos Williams renderings were entirely new to me, and so were some of the later Pound translations.

For this reader it's hard to contain his excitement at such a beautifully produced edition (only spoiled by a spine-label that's somehow been glued on upside down), and I recommend anyone interested in either recent American poetry or in the classical Chinese tradition to go out and buy it straight away. It will admirably complement Minford and Lau's recent historical anthology of all translations (both European and American, and both scholarly and 'creative'), which of course covers a much broader range, but which is similarly ground-breaking and enthralling to read.

Todd London edits New Dramatists 2000, selecting the new works of graduating students of the Class of 2000. From issues of race and activism to living a life with value, these short plays are varied and well done.

As one of the poets published in this collection, it made me really happy to see that this book is still in print. The book was born out of a series of poetry workshops run by Jack Grapes during the 1980's, which gave birth and direction to a vital community of poets, including readings all over Los Angeles and serveral new poetry publications. I remember sitting in workshops and being blown away by the poems these people wrote, particularly Wendy Rainey, Jill Moses, and Eve Brandstein. Jack Grapes helped us find our voices, then take another breath and go deeper. This book contains some fine poetry and provides a backwards glance at the movement that produced it, a movement I was proud and exhilerated to be a part of.

price follows up his tales of the lovecraft mythos, going to the newer pulp writers. still excellent. great stories. especially good as an introduction to pulp: good plots, not too weird, great descriptions. great stories. the best of the best. loved glasby and rainey. loved a lot.

New One-Act Plays For Acting Students is a new anthology of over twenty modern one-act plays provides plays designed with teens in mind: play times are 8-15 minutes, each offers about 5 minutes acting time per character, and all are balanced roles which teach teens the basics of a good play and good acting skills. Highly recommended for young actors and their directors, New One-Act Plays For Acting Students is packed from cover to cover with high-caliber scripts which teach a variety of performance techniques.

I enjoyed all the short stories in this book, but my all-time favorite was the one written by Sandra Birdsell. She grabbed me with the first paragraph and she took me along for an adventure I'll not soon forget; Birdsell is an amazing writer. Overall, this book is a pleasure to read and I recommend it highly.

There is a lot of good stuff in this book which you may have never seen before -- or may never see again, anywhere else. One item alone is worth the whole price of admission: G.K. Chesterton's "Variations On A Theme," where he gives the venerable "Old King Cole" chestnut a series of treatments -- after Lord Tennyson, after Yeats, after Walt Whitman (!), and after Swinburne. They are, all of them, utterly hilarious, and I don't know another place to find them!

Many more treats lurk within!

The New Penguin Book Of Scottish Verse is the first anthology to provide a history of the entire extent of Scottish poetry, from the sixth to the end of the 20th century, providing insights on the poets, their memorable verses, and the body of work representing Scottish efforts. Poetry in Gaelic, Latin and other languages is translated, poems are introduced and poets run the gamut from nobles to the common man in this excellent collection.

This is a wonderful book that celebrates the beauty of nature in verse. The book begins with winter poems, goes through spring, summer, and finally ends with the fall. The poems are usually only one or two pages long and they are done in a variety of styles. All of the poets are famous masters, including Wordsworth, Milton, Blake, Shakespeare, Longfellow, Emerson, Thoreau, Keats, and Tennyson. Poems of Nature also includes many beautiful, full-color pictures on nearly every page. The book is small and only contains 64 pages, making it an excellent gift for the lover of poetry and nature.

Good evening, my book of poetry arrived yesterday. What book to read, I could hardly put it down. The way Neil Philip, has broken the book up into eight chapters is great. The drawings by John Lawrence, to me are just what a book of poetry should have. Many of the poems brought back memoris of the simple life, others brought joy to my heart; while others tears were shed. The red explaning of some words, is great and meaningful. This book should be part of every high school English class. If you are homeschooling your children, besure to include this book. Come read Lavender's Blue with me; and Poor old Horse by Tradtional or Windy Nights by R. L. Stevenson. Just to mention a few. Thank you for allowing me this pleasure. I am a published poetry and prayer author and a homeschool teacher.