Poems for the Millennium, Volume One: The University of California Book of Modern and Postmodern Poetry: From Fin-De-Siècle to Negritude

Rothenberg and Joris have assembled an absolutely stunning collection of modernist and postmodern poets in this fat volume. Not only has he included some well-known but seldom anthologized writers like Samuel Beckett and James Joyce, but he has included Fluxus artist/writers like Dick Higgins, Jackson Mac Low, Emmett Williams and many other important, but lesser-known poets. Nearly every poet that one would expect to find in a good anthology is to be found - and many people and writers that one might not expect to find in a poetry anthology are also found here. And once found, the choices seem obvious and not forced or contrived. With so many great poems and poets to choose from, most readers will find at least one omission, (where's Leonard Cohen? Charles Bukowski? Sylvia Plath?) but with such a huge scope these are mostly forgivable. After all it is easy to find volumes of work by Bukowski and Cohen, but a volume like this anthology presents the opportunity to expose us to equally interesting and lesser known writers. Most of the poems are followed by a brief quote from the poet and a short vignette about the poet written be Rothenberg or Joris. Anybody who is serious about the enjoyment of reading and writing new poetry will enjoy this book and will want to add it to their library.

This book has become my bible. The selections is incredible, there are poems, manifestos, and commentary. The Olson, Duncan, Creeley, John Cage, and Nathanial Mackey selections are very impressive. After obtaining this book I realized how important it is that I have taken a class taught by Professor Joris. JerryRothenberg is, of course, also an amazing poet and this work shows this dedication to the field. Great for beginners, students, and veterans alike.

Both of these volumes are tremendous works illustrating a wide range of poetry from a wide range of voices. I love how the sections are delineated, and there is a wealth of information about poets, poems, schools of thought and poetics along with the actual poems. I learned a lot about poetry just by reading these two volumes. This is truly an example of wonderful, dedicated editing.

if you get this volume you have to get the first volume and the OUTLAW BIBLE OF AMERICAN POETRY. if modern american poetry is something that gets you goin, then these volumes are for you. rothenberg does a great job of introducing and giving information, critiques, etc of the poetry encased in these volumes. dig it, man. dig it.

Personally I found that this book was very informative and aimed towards the people who are involved in poetry so it was more on a level basis that gives numerous examples of different types.