Poetry: A Pocket Anthology (Penguin Academics Series)

I purchased this anthology for my poetry class. It provides all the information that you need for poetry reading, writing and analysis (poetry elements, structure...etc).

This 1993 college anthology of poetry "presents writers ranging from Shakespeare and William black to Seamus Heaney, Margaret Atwood, and Rita Dove" (to quote the book jacket). The short introduction is useful to those new to poetry; discussing lyrical and narrative poetry, and common figures of speech (metaphor, simile, and the like). The poets are presented chronologically, starting with around 1450 (Sir Patrick Spens), and up through the mid 1960's there are few surprises (does Frost's "The Road not taken" really need to be in every anthology?). Each poet is briefly introduced and then included with a few poems. Starting with poems in the mid-1960's the poetry is a little more eclectic including Crag Raine "A Martian sends a postcard home ("No one is exempt and everyone's pain has a different smell"") next to Alice Walker .. I appreciated the assortment there. Leon Stokesbury's "Day begins at Governor's Square Mall" recalls by days in Tallahassee ("I exist apart")

This is a great anthology. The best you are going to find unless you go with one of the giant anthologies. This one is cheaper and definitely less heavy than, lets say Norton's anthology. And because it is a 'pocket anthology' it cuts out the weaker poems making this a strong group of poems.

this was an excellent comprehensive view of poetry. there were a few poets and poems that i felt should have been included, but in less than 400 pages, he picked the best poems that there are. it's probably the best collection i've ever seen, especially given it's small size (which is a plus when you are used to handleing those huge anthologies). the introduction to poetry is informative.

I used this book in a class. I enjoyed the lengthy introduction to poetry. It was fresh and even comic. The book is just the right size to hold and carry while exploring poetry.