Lusions

The "customer" who reviewed Lusions as "Arrogance Exemplified" obviously did not read the book. There is no poem in it to hint at autobiography or arrogance. Rather, the book presents a much welcomed world view of the cultural development of violence, from pre-history to our contemporary period, broad enough for any reader to connect to it personally. All of Ragan's works that I have read are universal in their dimensions. I strongly recommend that this reviewer let go of what sounds like a personal grudge toward quality literature. I give Lusions my highest recommendation.

Reading James Ragan is no easy thing but as a master of languages he challenges you to do that. The imagery is intense and takes so many twists and turns one is constantly reframing the mind to keep up...to follow the tale. The secret is to read the title, take a moment to reflect and go from there. It was in that fashion that "Delivering Newspapers Past the Cemetery Dead" came alive to this old paper boy.Ragan does what I wish more poets would do: size up the world and significant matters about it from his perspective [the only one any of us has a complete grasp of] instead of attempting to dazzle us - as many do - with how he experiences himself and his own turmoil. He does not write about bunions on his bum or bruises on his abused ego.I am afraid that I can only regard someone who thinks this gifted man [or his poetry] arrogant as someone with an ax to grind. I have had the privilege of meeting and interviewing him. He is down to earth, accommodating, pleasant and as delightful to talk with as he is to read.My only regret about Lusions is that most everyday readers who would undoubtedly find his topics engrossing will not find reading him an easy thing to do.