How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry

A mentor of mine always used to say "There are two kinds of people in this world!" and he would then expand on whatever dichotomy was on his mind at the moment. He might well have said that there are those who "get" poetry, and those who don't. I have always been firmly in the latter camp, but perhaps am more recently moving toward the former. Though I still have quite a ways to go, this book really helped move me along. This is a very well-written introduction to the joys of reading poetry. Besides presenting the reader with examples of many different types and styles of poetry it's just very enjoyable to read this author's writing. While my reaction to the poems in the book is not even on the same scale as the author's very visceral, emotional responses, I feel like I nevertheless grasped enough of his reaction to know what he was feeling, and what he was getting at in his description. But I'll admit that some of the poems I read over and over again trying to detect some of *his* response in *me*, and I rarely did. I think this has more to do with my naivete, and I sort of envied the author's obvious depth of feeling in response to these poems.Anyway - it's a great read and if you're a lover of poetry or even just curious about it, I recommend this book highly.

Anyone fortunate enough to read an Ed Hirsch column in the American Poetry Review knows that this man's enthusiasm for poetry is unparalleled. In this Book, Hirsch offers his bottomless understanding of poetry's necessity, showcasing his ability dig dig into the souls of great poets to answer the question "what is poetry for?" I found myself smiling and shaking my head in agreement with his comments about poets I've never heard of. When someone can get me so interested in a poet about whom I know nothing with just a few pages in a book, I know I am reading the work of an incredibly deft mind. Yes, this book does have the ability to transform people into poetry fans, but readers must first have some sort of interest or passion for poetry. If you've got that, Ed Hirsch does all the rest for you.

Anyone fortunate enough to read an Ed Hirsch column in the American Poetry Review knows that this man's enthusiasm for poetry is unparralleled. In this Book, Hirsch offers his bottomless understanding of poetry's necessity, and his ability to dig into the souls of poets shines. I found myself smiling and shaking my head in agreement with his comments about poets I've never heard of. When someone can get me so interested in a poet about whom I know nothing with just a few pages in a book, I know I am reading the work of an incredibly deft mind. Yes, this book does have the ability to transform people into poetry fans, but readers must first have some sort of interest or passion for poetry. If you've got that, Ed Hirsch does all the rest for you.

Hirsch has created a marvelous and exciting book revealing the art and mystery of poetry from Classical times to the present. I cannot believe that anyone reading this work will not be inspired to read more poetry.