The Classic Hundred Poems: All-Time Favorites

"A safe sweet and secure present for Valentine's day or any special occasion. If you cannot read poetry aloud with conviction then share this audio version with your beloved."

A book that will not gather dust on the bookshelf, but one that you will want keep close for impromptu readings. Particularly useful for me are the biographical/historical background as well as the usefull notes that frame the poet and poems and make many decipherable and most enjoyable, as for example Browning's "My Last Duchess" as well as Keats "La Belle Dame Sans Merci". John Donne stands out but I have only started reading and no doubt will have many more favorites, renewed appreciation for Dickinson, particularly, "Because I could not stop for death"

Most small anthologies only contain a couple of poems you would want to look up. This one is full of poems that are frequently refered to, which makes this a good reference work. The short commentary with each poem provides some historical context or helpful information that is educational. His book of the Top 500 Poems is my favorite collection, but lacks the commentaries found in the Classic 100 book.

If you are prepping for the GRE in literature or are trying to gain a basic understanding of literary periods and poets, this audio-collection is a must. It features a brief introduction about each poet's life. It also includes a brief introduction about the theme of each poem. The fact that you have to listen to these introductions before listening to the poem inculcate the poem and aids retention. If literature has turned into a cumbersome and overwhelming task, this collection will not only provide you with a sense of direction but will also make literature far more pleasurable.

i had william harmon for 20th century poetry last year and he was really smart. i like this book and it contains many of the poems he likes as well. he tells the same stroies every year, though.