Product Description

A collection of more than 400 hundred poems from all around the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #243583 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 498 pages

Review
"The method employed in arranging and presenting [the contents of this book] must surely be the one for all the best anthologies . . . "The Rattle Bag" sets a standard which other anthologies will find it difficult to equal." --Alan Brownjohn, "Times Literary Supplement" (London)
"A splendid, huge, resonant book." --"Observer" (London)
"A must for anyone at all who likes poetry." --Melvyn Bragg, "The Times" (London)

Customer Reviews

Can't go wrong
I was nervous when I saw the two famous poets who edited this selection, as I don't like either of them much. But the content seldom fails to impress... I can't count the poems I first encountered here which I now rank among my favourites. Good poetry is among the best value you can get in books, and this anthology is the best I have ever seen. The ordering of poems by title produces some odd juxtapositions but that only adds to the interest for me. Buy it, and also Scanning the Century by Peter Forbes. Supposedly for children (!) but no adult poetry fan will be disappointed....

An ideal introduction to poetry
This anthology - along with my S-Level English teacher - first introduced me to poetry. I would recommend it to anyone interested in poetry or the history of poetry or anyone looking to introduce someone to poetry. The selection is a wise one, for most of the poems are short and therefore digestible and accessible (particularly to children). The scope of the selection also covers several centuries for those with an interest in how poetry has evolved and encompasses many poems from the non-English-speaking world (all translated into English). The sheer number of poems ensure a multiplicity of styles and in this respect it is particularly good for dipping into.

Highly recommended for beginner and poetry aficionado alike
... This is one of my favourite poetry anthologies. It contains a remarkably varied collection of poems covering both traditional forms and free verse, but all have obviously been carefully chosen for their accessibility. This could have resulted in a poetic 'pudding' - a mass of middle-of-the-road verse with nothing to challenge or delight the more experienced reader - but the editors, Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes (and who could be better qualified for the job?) have skilfully avoided this pitfall. The result is a both a wonderful introduction to poetry for beginners, and a treasure chest for established lovers of poetry. My copy is constantly out on loan, and has introduced several sceptics to the pleasures of poetry reading and writing.