Poetry Books

Heavy/Light book - hard to explain. There is a realness to the characters that made me say "Hey, I know that person!" and sometimes even, "Eeek! Too like the self I don't want to be!" This ain't no fairytale collection. This is life, complete with trips to the toilet. Not exactly anti-heros, the main characters show their flaws unknowingly as they search to move forward, often even unsure what direction is forward or which way to up. Some do successfully navigate towards up. There is some hope. But some also stagnate and a few slide further down. The stories hang in my head weeks after reading them. Thankfully, Bannan has a wonderful dry wit that helps us do more than muck our way through human exposure. We can wade along splashing, enjoying the lightness of the weight that reveals our world to us and makes us think.

Keith Banner, just reviewed in the New York Times for his "Smallest People Alive," also from Carnegie Mellon University Press, says on the Inventing Victor back cover: "Jennifer Bannan's Inventing Victor is a sharply written collection of funny, unnerving short stories that never settle for easy answers. Bannan's characters, self-reflective losers negotiating their ways through life with the low-volume enthusiasm of pro-bowlers, narrate each story in deceptively simple voices. But the stories themselves are never simple or deceptive. Bannan is after a kind of truth most literary writers try to avoid: brutal honesty in the face of all the bad things human beings do to each other. The title story alone is worth the price of admission. Fast-paced yet creepily intense, hilarious and very sad, it tells the story of a 15-year-old girl who can't stop lying, even while she knows this lying is slowly destroying her life. As you read this story, you start questioning all the lies you've ever told in order to impress people, all the ways in which dishonesty is sometimes all you have to keep yourself interesting, and maybe even aware of who you are."

This is the kind of book you want to give as a gift to all your friends. In fact, I did that. It's a beautiful collection of witty and moving stories, with characters who are so vividly drawn they seem like people you might have known once. It's the kind of book you'll read more than once; the kind of book that makes you remember why you love short stories. I highly recommend it.

We've all read stories that wipe out any trace of energy by trying so hard to be profound. And then there is gorgeous prose that doesn't manage to say much of anything. And then there is Inventing Victor. With pitch-perfect language, fresh takes on familiar insecurities and fantasies, and one wicked sense of humor, this one stays with you long after you're turned the last page. A really stunning debut.

Ms. Bannan's style defies categorization in that her stories are seemingly unrelated and there is no recognizable theme unifying them, which makes for each story its' own unique read, and makes for a small book packing an assortment of refreshing voices. She also embodies a literary style that is both masculine and feminine, vulnerable and pragmatically caustic. She is a fine teller of stories, less focused on melodic writing than on luring you in with the guts of the story itself, with the guts of the characters' thoughts and actions, and thus you are anxious to know what precisely is going to happen next. Written with a good deal of assurance, confidence and downright moxy.

This book is a "must" have 4 all poets!
It not only has great poetry, it has great writing.
Most poetry books, in my opinion, are overly priced. This excellent book is well worth the price.
I highly recommend this book. I like that fact that it has so many different poets writing the poetry. A book this size would become boring if only one poet wrote it.
I appreciate the effort that went into publishing this book and I also love the warm colors of the bookcover.
This journey into "Timbooktu" is a great read.
Thanks 4 sharing with us, Mr. Vaughn Jr. & contributors.

Poetry and prose come together in a journey of discovery to and from the e-land of TimBookTu.com. The selected writers in this work of an African American Poetic Odyssey have made the journey from aspiring to arriving literary voices.

...I personally feel that "Journey to Timbooktu," is an excellent edition to any anthology readers library. It has short fiction of many genre's (Horror, romance, suspense, ect.), heartwarming and at times tear jerking poetry. Also a variety of essays and other scriptured jewels, from some of the most talented writer's in the world. Mephis Vaughan has an eye for talent as well as a knack for the written word himself. I can't wait to see what he does with volume two. If you don't have a copy go out right now and buy one. As for those select few who can just order online and have it shipped to your home...buy two. You know friends and family are going to want to read one, so you need to have an extra one for yourself. To all the artists who contributed to the success of the manuscript..excellent job!!! I wish you continued success and best of luck on all future artistic endeavors.

Sincerely,
Levi James Baldwin III

The writings in this book will take you on a tireless journey through the Afro-American experience with poetry, essays,and short stories.
Many will touch your heart. A favorite will stay with you forever,and the desire to read on relentlessly will captivate you. I was taken through a wonderful journey from beginning to end.

Journey to Timbooktu is a must purchase! This anthology definitely offers an excellent array of diverse authors, writing styles and genres to explore from an African American perspective. Memphis has done a wonderful job in selecting the writings and offering something for everyone's palette. What a wonderful gift and treasure.

In the late 1860s Prussia, led by Kaiser Wilhelm and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, engaged the French government headed by Napoleon III in heated negotiations over the throne of Spain and the sovereignty of the Low Countries. The dispute grew as France looked for a fight.

France declared war in 1870 but was ill prepared to fight the ensuing Franco-Prussian War. Poorly equipped and incompetently led, the French soldiers were badly used. The result, from the French point of view was a catastrophe. At the battle of Sedan the Prussians captured over 100,000 French troops and Napoleon III himself. France was forced to cede Alsace-Lorraine to the Germans. In the immediate aftermath of the war, a left-wing rebellion erupted in Paris. It was suppressed with brutal rigor.

Like Tolstoy's War and Peace, Zola's The Debacle is a historical novel in which the facts of the war are very accurately described, and then well-drawn fictional characters are inserted. The story is told with verve through the eyes of two soldiers. The events of the Franco-Prussian War are extremely complex, yet Zola never lets the reader get lost. The story is engrossing and compelling. This is one of the great books of French literature.

To the reader who comes to this review by way of my history of the Tour de France, this book is related to the Tour rather obliquely. Tour founder Henri Desgrange wrote extensively in the sports newspaper L'Auto, which also owned the Tour de France. Desgrange tried to model his own writing style on Zola's.
-Bill McGann, Author of "The Story of the Tour de France"

As a big student of the War of 1870-71, I was a bit skeptic when I saw this was a historical novel, especially one that was a political commentary. Well, my skepticism was destroyed after about 15 minutes of reading this book. Not only is the author a veteran of the war, his style is SO engrossing I didn't stop reading until I finished the entire book!

The amount of details that are in the narritive can only come from someone who participated in the historical events that are narrated. Zola's characters are easy to identify with, and anyone can pick one character and say "yeah, that's me" as they read the story.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in the F/P War or French/European culture/life of the Second Empire. Vivé Napoleon III!

In this novel, as in all of his greatest works (Germinal, La Terre), Zola achieves the wide-ranging scope of a sweeping, romantic epic, without romanticizing the details of his settings or the emotions of his characters. As a result, we get an in-depth examination of the effects of war, on both national and personal levels. Zola thoroughly outlines the movements of troops and supplies, the political intrigue happening within the French government, and the diplomatic relations between nations, yet he never loses sight of the individual.
The narrative focuses on the friendship between Jean Macquart and Maurice Levasseur, two French soldiers from contrasting backgrounds who are brought together by the war. Jean Macquart, who previously starred in Zola's novel The Earth (La Terre), is an experienced soldier and a sturdy, dependable, salt-of-the-earth kind of guy. Maurice is a novice in the military, was raised in a privileged background, and has an emotional, introspective, and fragile nature. In addition to these two players, Zola presents myriad perspectives on the war. The multitudinous cast includes an emperor and a king; generals, grunts, and officers in between; farmers, shopkeepers, industrialists, doctors, and their wives. The combatants in this war range from highly-skilled military men to peasants with guns thrust into their hands, from the privileged elite to penniless beggars. The chaos of war ensnares them all in a series of events beyond their control or understanding, pushing them to the climactic tragedy of the Battle of Sedan.
Throughout the book, Zola condemns the futility of war in general, and the ineptitude of the French commanders in particular. The book is not totally pessimistic, however, as he does include some romantic concessions to the glory of patriotism, the strength of friendship, and the heroism that can arise when ordinary men are thrust into extraordinary circumstances. This is one of Zola's greatest works, and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who enjoy classic literature or historical fiction. It is both intellectually challenging and emotionally moving. I would caution the reader that it does help to have some knowledge of French geography and happenings in French history around the time of the Franco-Prussian War.

Emile Zola's La Debacle, the 19th of his 20 volume Rougon-Macquart series, describes the crushing defeat of the French armies at the hands of the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. During Zola's lifetime, this novel was regarded as his masterpiece. History has decreed that it would be Germinal that would be more enduring, but this is still an outstanding novel. All the stories in this series are linked with recurring characters and interwoven plot lines. Like Germinal, this is a story of destruction and rebirth.

This novel is divided into three sections. In Zola's typical style, each section is focused on a period of several days, with several weeks or months between sections. The main character of the story in Jean Macquart, a character from an earlier novel (La Terre) in the series. Macquart is an enlisted soldier marching to the front with his comrades to face the Prussians. Zola, never a soldier himself, describes well the lot of Jean and his comrades. Lots of marching, fatigue, boredom, and grumbling about the leadership. Hanging over the story, and unbeknowst to the characters, is the coming whirlwind. The Emporer himself (Napoleon III) makes an appearance, but it is rather tragi-comic.
The second section is focused on the battle of Sedan. There are several story threads designed to explain the action of the battle at different times and from perspectives. The descriptions are quite graphic and detailed. Ultimately, the French Army is totally destroyed, the surviving characters become prisoners of war. In the third section, Jean is reunited with his comrade Maurice in Paris at the height of the Commune. The primary theme of this novel is to describe the `rot' of the Third Empire, and how its destruction gives the survivors hope for a brighter future.

The Oxford World Classics translation is outstanding. It contains detailed endnotes to explain topical or historical references that would be lost on modern English speaking/reading audiences. There are several maps and a detailed list of characters to keep everything straight. This edition also contains a well written introduction to allow the reader to place the novel in historical and literary context.

I have several thoughts about this novel that potential readers may or may not find interesting. First, this is an outstanding novel, whether one likes war novels or not. Zola is one of the greatest novelists ever to put pen to paper, and this is arguable one of his best works. The characters in this story are detailed and realistic, the dialogue outstanding, and the plot complex and compelling, but easy to read. Anyone who is afraid of approaching Zola because of past experience with the 19th century English `greats' should not be concerned. Zola has none of the pretentiousness or Victorian puritanism of his English contemporaries, and his writing, while often gloomy, is not ponderous.

Second, with the exception of a few small tweaks for poetic license, this book is an outstanding example of historical fiction. Beyond an enjoyable novel, this book will also provide the reader a history lesson of the first order. In particular, I would highly recommend this book to American readers who know little or nothing of French history of this era. I think that the events of the Commune would be most surprising to many Americans. Certainly the Franco-Prussian war was one of the defining events for the French (and Germans), much as the Civil War was for Americans. The outcome of this war had long lasting political, economic, cultural, and military implications that affect us today.

Third, if I had one complaint about this book, it would be that the author's knowledge of the outcome of the battle weighs over the entire novel. I would almost argue that this novel is defeatist. This is definitely an antiwar novel, but no real sense of imminent destruction covers the Prussian soldiers as it does the French. That is, this is an antiwar novel from the French perspective, but not really from the Prussian. It strikes me that the message conveyed by Zola (probably inadvertantly) is not antiwar in general, but antiwar only for the losers.

Overall though, this is an outstanding novel, one of the best ever written. Highly recommended.

This was an amazing story about the Franco-Prussian war, but it could have been about any war and the destructive influence it has on men and women, and on all human relationships. Zola tells the story, in vivid, sometimes gruesome but always very compassionate and heartbreaking detail (most of the plot is based on real historical events), of the absolute disaster that was the Franco-Prussian "debacle" of 1870-1.

For anyone interested in French history, it is required reading. This was an absolutely pivotal event in the formation of the Third Republic and the death of the Second Empire, an Empire which Zola had already suggested in his previous novels was rotten to the core. Writing twenty years after the event, Zola was describing a memory still vivid in the minds of most of his readers.

The Franco-Prussian war was truly a debacle. Not only had Napoleon III provoked the French into a doomed war with the Prussians, who with their superior artillery and military tactics ended up invading France and slaughtering and starving thousands upon thousands of men, but he ultimately set the French against each other when, at the end of the war, some Frenchmen and women wanted to surrender the hopeless cause-and some wanted to fight to the death-their deaths-on principle. Many of the French showed amazing bravery and refused to surrender, even after Napoleon III was taken prisoner and a new French government acted to conclude the war.

In a famous and tragic episode, after the war was lost and many French were working to effect a surrender, political radicals staged a hopeless but heroic last stand in Paris, electing an independent municipal government-the famous Paris Commune-and holding the city. Eventually other Frenchmen were finally set against their brothers to force them to wave the white flag. In their determination to not yield one inch of the soil to the Prussian invaders, in one of the most powerful and haunting scenes in the novel (and in history), the Commune sets Paris on fire and Zola describes the entire city of lights roaring with fire, gone up with smoke and having turned the sky red.

If you've ever been in Paris it's a compelling scene and you'll remember all the places he mentions if, like me, you've spent some time there. It's odd to think that the Pere Lachaise cemetery, where so many of us go to see the graves of Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt, Jim Morrison or Abelard and Heloise (a site featured on an episode of America's Next Top Model no less!) is where thousands of French radicals-and uninvolved Parisian civilians as well- were lined up against the wall and shot point-blank in summary executions-by their own countrymen-something that Zola and others would never forget. I think it's very important that Zola dealt with these crimes in his novel.

Although Zola doesn't pretend that some of the Communards were not, in fact, war profiteers or criminals, he has much sympathy with some of them and their sincere political committments; as a man of the left he cannot help but find common ground with some of their arguments or with their feeling of betrayal by their own government. He is also disgusted, as so many French were, with the brutal way in which they were liquidated.

The hero of the story is Jean Macquart. You definitely don't have to have read any of the other books in the Rougon-Macquart series of twenty novels (!) to appreciate this book, however if you have read La Terre (The Earth) you will already like Jean for his general kindness and sensible nature. He is a sweet man who has an unlikely friendship with Maurice, the young radically-inclined soldier who ultimately joins the Commune. The introduction to my book was a bit heavy handed, (I suggest reading it after you've completed the novel since it gives all major plot points away) claiming that they represent the two "eternal sides of France", but there's a real human relationship here.

By today's standards this friendship would seem over the top and overly sentimental, but taken in the historical context it's quite a beautiful friendship. More than anything we get a sense of the senseless slaughter of a pointless war, the deep fraternal divisions it causes, and these are embodied in two very appealing characters, Jean and Maurice. Zola makes it clear that it makes sense, obviously, that Maurice would be furious and feel betrayed. I'm a pacifist, but if the invaders are at your door-which they literally were in this case-it's hard to know how you would feel.

On the other hand Jean's view is portrayed with sympathy-he's endured tremendous suffering due to this ridiculous war, and like Maurice he's shown tremendous bravery and courage, like so many Frenchmen did at that time (take that everyone who makes fun of the French tendency to surrender-I wish all of you had to read this book!) but he is an ordinary person who would like to get back to ordinary life-which really is a normal emotion to have. He also hates to see Paris burning-it's the epitome of craziness to him, and to us, even while we also see Maurice's view, that no one should care anymore, France is dead and defeated.

At the end, when Jean perseveres and goes on to build a new France, we're hopeful for him. But we can't help feeling the looming shadow of two World Wars to come, and it's also a sad book, reminding us of the vast physical and emotional wounds war leaves behind.

An absolute masterpiece!

If you are a wrestling fan or not I believe you will enjoy "Wrestling With Rhyme" and anything else by Lanny Poffo! Mr. Poffo is a good role model for todays' youth because of his clean living and overall positive outlook on life. All of these traits show in his poetry. This is a good, fun read and I cant wait for Mr. Poffo to write another book!! -- Doug Meyers, Rockford, Il.

I loved Lannys rhymes when he was with the WWF, they never failed to get the crowd going...Reading Wrestling with rhyme, brings back alot of great memories. And is filled with alot of great rhymes. A must for any wrestling, or poetry fan...

Well, at least he isn't dead. I give him 5 stars for that, though I will take back every single one the moment he drops.

I was sooo excited with Lanny's outstanding book Limericks from the Heart(and Lungs!),that I just HAD to purchase his other book Leaping Lanny: Wrestling With Rhyme! I wouldn't consider myself a huge wrestling fan, but don't let that dissuade you from buying this awesome book which is absolutely wonderful! Lanny is the new Shel Silverstein!

This was Lanny's first rhyme book and it is great. Lanny covers nearly all of the stars of the then-WWF. It brings back so many memories as I read poems about such legends as Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage and Jake the Snake. Lanny doesn't stop there though, as he also has poems about lesser-known, but equally entertaining wrestlers such as George 'the Animal' Steele, Junk Yard Dog and Hillbilly Jim. Even beyond that, Poffo tackles a few non-wrestling topics.
This book is a delightful romp down memory lane. It is a total feel good book, from a totally positive person. If you ever have the chance to meet Lanny, make sure you take it. You can't help but like the man.

Malloy's deeply moving words about love, loss and life are so intense that the reader is actually able to experience what the author expresses so beautifully. I continue to collect her works as I have yet to find another author that compares. Her words fill in our "lack of" when describing the incredible depths of our human emotions. The reader will know the author intimately and will find self-realization in the everyday life subject matter about which she writes. Powerful and insightful. Reflection and renewal of one's own emotional being will be envoked after the first page. Malloy is highly deserving of the recognition that she was never awarded. Only the Bible could be more moving. ....

I was introduced to Ms. Malloys words by my 9th grade English teacher while preparing for a speech tournament. I had never read poetry like that before, didn't know poetry could be like that before. Her words were honest and real and no holds barred.
Because of this one book I have been writing poetry for the last twenty years myself. Everytime I go into a book store I look for her books, old or, hopefully new. They are a rare find. I even wrote this poem in her honor, circa 1985.

Merrit

How could I know exactly
What you meant
Understand your heart
When I'd never seen your face.

I felt like you
Were close to me
It didn't matter that
We'd never met
You had touched me
With your pen
Said things I'd felt
All along
It was as though
You knew what I was feeling
Before I even
Felt it

I had met you
on paper
You were like an
Old friend
That maybe
I understood
your soul
Because you
Understood
Mine

I just wondered
How you Knew
Your words
Were on my mind

If you are looking for a collection of poetry to make you laugh, cry, and smile, then this is the book!

I was introduced to Ms. Malloys words by my 9th grade English teacher while preparing for a speech tournament. I had never read poetry like that before, didn't know poetry could be like that before. Her words were honest and real and no holds barred.
Because of this one book I have been writing poetry for the last twenty years myself. Everytime I go into a book store I look for her books, old or, hopefully new. They are a rare find. I even wrote this poem in her honor, circa 1985.

Merrit

How could I know exactly
What you meant
Understand your heart
When I'd never seen your face.

I felt like you
Were close to me
It didn't matter that
We'd never met
You had touched me
With your pen
Said things I'd felt
All along
It was as though
You knew what I was feeling
Before I even
Felt it

I had met you
on paper
You were like an
Old friend
That maybe
I understood
your soul
Because you
Understood
Mine

I just wondered
How you Knew
Your words
Were on my mind

I cannot recall who handed me this book of poems in 1976. Obviously it was someone who knew what an "incurable romantic" I was during my years as a single male. Although I was a big fan of Wordsworth, Byron, Keats and many of the pop music lyricists, I was so moved by Merrit Malloy's prose the all the so-called "classics" have never since seemed so lofty. Merrit and I were both living in L.A. at that time, and I could not resist finding her through her local publisher who offered me a mailing address. With my letter of gushing praise, I boldly included a couple of my own poems. Shortly thereafter, she actually wrote to me and included a phone number. We spoke -- she also has a lovely voice -- and set a date for tea (I think that was the beverage mentioned). Shortly before our scheduled rendezvous, she called to cancel, but said we could try again. I phoned once or twice after that, but do not recall ever getting through to her again. Merrit, if you're reading your reviews, I have not forgotten your poems and the kindness you showed by contacting this fan. We can still meet for tea whenever you're ready.

Have you ever considered the advantages to having your nose on your face? Or what life is like for a boneless chicken? Or lamented a night of homework? Then this book is for you! Jack Prelutsky's collection 107 poems are silly, catchy, and classic. Readers bounce from poem to poem, carried along by James Stevenson's squiggly illustrations. Though this is a fast read, Prelutsky's odd characters, like the Underwater Wibblies and Drumpp the Grump, will keep you giggling.

These quirky poems will entertain readers both young and old. Prelutsky's poems are made for reading aloud, and audiences will enjoy listening to the made-up names and punchlines. Stevenson's artwork, which can also be found in The New Yorker, fits perfectly with the singsong style of the poems. The black and white drawings wobble and flutter around the text, interacting with it. Prelutsky's work, combined with Shel Silverstein's, makes for an excellent introduction into the world of poetry for young readers.

This is a great book to share with friends and families because it is funny and a lot of the poems seem true to what kids are thinking and feeling. Some of our favorites were, "An Alleycat with One Life Left," "Homework! Oh, Homework!," "The Nothing-Doings," and "I Wonder Why Dad is so Thoroughly Mad." This is a great book for everyone!

My child came home from her gifted/talented school requesting the book. She loved it in her classroom and has already read most of it.

This book introduced my son to poetry at age eight and he became an avid fan. He became so enthralled with poetry that he began to write poetry himself. He even wrote a very insightful poem as one of his college entrance essays. Prelutsky retains his inner child and writes from a child's point of view--hard for children to resist. A must have for your home library.

I think that this a great way to introduce poetry to kids that may believe it to be boring or stuffy. My son would ask me to read these to him over and over. We did a lot of giggling over some of them.

Stanley Lombardo has done it again!

His Odyssey is as fast-paced, lucid, poetic and punchy as his Iliad, but this time with a human feel, a warmth that the story calls for.

He brings real thoughts and real emotions to the characters...the like I've never seen! (I must have compared around 10 different translations).

...Lombardo has said that the "Iliad" is like the Sun blazing at its peak in mid-summer, whereas the "Odyssey" is like a setting Sun as fall sneaks in...

The best modern translation available! Get it with his amazing Iliad!

Cheers!

The Odyssey is mandatory reading for my freshman English classes and it has been quite difficult to teach. This literary work can be a very dry read for those who do not enjoy poetry reading (most freshmen). For this reason, I began a search for a translation that would make it easier for my students to understand. I read the previous reviews before buying it and I must say, I am glad that I did. Lombardo does an excellent job of making the translation understandable without dumbing down the text. My students this year have enjoyed this story much more than previous classes because of this. If you are looking to gain better understanding for yourself or to teach this text to others, this is the translation to get!

Stanley Lombardo's translation has brought back the original "feel" of the ancient Greek epic. Classical and Koine Greek are both what you call "earthy" languages, a tone lost with many established and contemporary translations. Lombardo restores the drama and the linguistic edge that the epic poem possessed in its original tongue. The Lombardo translation is quickly becoming standard among university professors and students of classical literature.

Lombardo's translation of the Odyssey, as well as his Iliad and Aeneid, receive much-deserved kudos as the most readable translations available. He writes with poetic and colloquial English that makes it easy for the lay person to understand.

Unfortunately, many of these same lay readers bash Lombardo's translations because they assume the personable nature of the writing makes it inaccurate. People expect a classic to have a certain formal diction to it, in the vein of Shakespeare and the King James Bible. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The King James Bible, despite having the most formal prose, is certainly not the most accurate translation of the Bible. Similarly, verbose translations of Homer do not mean it is more true to the text. Lombardo's version of the Odyssey preserves the immediacy and hard hitting nature of Homer's original Greek poetry. You will notice in other reviews that readers disapprove based on what they imagine Homer should sound like. Trust me, they haven't read the original texts. Classical scholars, some of whom I personally work with, have given universally excellent reviews to Lombardo's translations. This translation proves you can have your cake and eat it too. It is highly recommended.

One reviewer here took umbrance at some of the language used by the translator. One point he made was the use of the word "chow". Another was about the language used by a Goddess. He asked if Homer would really have used such vernacularisms. I say: YES! Of course he would have. He wasn't trying to live up to some modern readers' clueless perceptions of "high art". He was trying to tell a good story, like any good storyteller. And like any good storyteller, he would have used techniques that enabled his audience to identify with his characters. In this instance, sailors will be sailors regardless of the times. Also, the gods of the ancient greeks did a lot of things that wouldn't have been done by God as we commonly percieve him. Now, take Shakespear for example. He wrote for the Everyman of his times. It is only much later that elitists turned him into an acquired taste. I think ostentatious readers need to understand that 200 years from now critics, looking back on our literature, will probably have long forgotten the pseudo-intellectual whinings of the Kurt Vonneguts and consider as classicists solid storytellers like Dean Koontz. The problem here lies in the fact that there is absolutely no way to translate literally from the greek and retain the original impact. I would strongly recommend reading Lattimore's translation as well if one wants a more literal interpretation, but remember that something will be lost that way. Lombardo has translated more than just the words, he has translated Homer's intentions, and that is the important thing.

What a superb collection! An anthology that can be read and re-read many times without feeling repetition. I feel sorry for anyone wanting to get a hold of it if and when it goes out of print.

After my years of professional activities were completed, I had never expected to lose memory of these unforgetable unimaginably pure images of "Changing Diapers, (Gary Snyder) or "Sailing to Byzantium" (WB Yeats) or "The United Fruit Co" (Pablo Neruda.)

After contributing my early copy to the Prison Library, I never thought I would need see that familar print again: But...I Did!

Editors, Robert Bly, James Hillman, and Michael Meade combined a short Introduction, preceeded by these poignant thoughts from William Butler Yeats: "Those masterful images because complete/ Grew in pure mind, but out of what began? ...Old kettles, old bottles... Old iron, old bones, old rags...I must lie down where all the ladders start, In the foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart."

If being reminded in twelve selections of William Butler Yeats, added to dozens of Robert Bly, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, E. E.Cummings, Langston Hughes, John Keats, Stanley Kunitz, Dylan Thomas, William Blake, Walt Whitman, 500 pages of familiar and new poems, surely is sufficient then check out groupings under a few orderly headings: "Father's Prayers for Sons and Daughters; WAR; I Know the Earth and I Am Sad; The House of Fathers and Titans; Making A Hole In Denial; Zaniness!" Completely fitting these six most unque titles are combined with ten more, equally imaginative and descriptive!

From the perspective of a Poetry Addict, into being a creator of my own poems, not yet note-worthy, I am back in "Poetry Heaven," with this second memorable discovery of rich word treasures! Sing-cerely from a retired Singer and Chaplain Fred W Hood

Treasures untold, indeed. This is the finest, most inspiring and least predictable contemporary poetry anthology I have ever come across. It has introduced me (I am British, and certain of the US
poets featured are not so well-known over here) to, among many others, Balaban, Nowlen and the wonderful Robert Haydon - his poem about his father is heartbreaking, a perfect poem.
Bly is a hero. I`ve long loved his poetry and his approach to the art. Here, with his compadres, he has given us a cornucopia of living, fire-breathing verse to live, love and get lost in for ever.
`Volume Two?`

This is, indeed, a collection of poetry which is multi-dimensional. The "canned" editorial above, from Publisher's Weekly, is a narrow-minded interpretation of the "purpose" of this collection of poetry. Whoever wrote the "canned" editorial has no understanding of men's struggle to redefine their role and character, constructively, to find a place in the twenty first century. Although many of the poems are multi-dimensional, the anthology as a whole, leads a man out of denial, into the heart, into the spirit, and, ultimately into a celebration of masculinity which misandry (hatred of men) has outlawed for almost half a century.

This anthology celebrates a new masculinity. One that is grounded in compassion, awareness, and, ultimately, the most important aspects of our existence as men.

For instance, one of the most important poems in the collection is Goethe's "The Invisible King." Through Goethe's genius we come to understand, as men, that if we deny the murmurs and whispering of our souls, we do so at grave peril to that which is most dear to us.

Buy it if you dare become something more than Madison Avenue made men in the 1980's and 1990's.

If you loved Iron John, you should read this book. But if you either (1) didn't read Iron John, (2) tried to read but couldn't finish Iron John, or (3) hated Iron John, you should especially read this book. I have to say up front that I don't agree with, or perhaps understand, many aspects and details of the men's movement. I was one person who tried mightily to read and enjoy Iron John, but simply couldn't get all the way through it. Then I found this book, and I have been reading it since. This was 10 years ago. I am exaggerating of course, but only a little. This book is a constant in my reading habits. I refer to it again and again, and have recommended it (and purchased it) for more friends than any other book I know.

Simply, this is a wonderful anthology of poetry, organized thematically, for men. Many of the individual poems are brilliant, and the overall organization is intelligent and, at times, profound. As I have grappled with marriage, fatherhood, aging parents--all the trappings of midlife--this book has been a constant source of wisdom and comfort for me. Do a kind thing for yourself or for a thoughtful man in your life and buy this book.

If you like Li-Young Lee, you will love this book. If you have never heard of him but love poetry, buy this book. There are many great poems hidden between the covers of this book.

I have been a fan of Li-Young Lee for about four years. This started when I came across his poem "Persimmons" in an introductory to poetry class. "Persimmons" instantly captivated my attention. I bought his book of poetry "Rose and I was not let down. There are several poems in "Rose" that I hold in high regards like " Persimmons," such as "From Blossoms," "Ash, Snow, or Moonlight," and "Early in the Morning," amongst others. Lee writes a lot about nature, fruit, his father, and coming to America from China and feeling like an outsider. Lee has a very artistic mind and is able to capture daily things and express it on paper in an imagery filled, non-traditionally detailed, lyrical way. He is one of my all time favorite poets and I would recommend "Rose," to everyone.

Li-Young Lee's poems are powerful, beautiful and speak to the humanity in all of us. I marvel at his command of language, the artists eye with which he sees the world, and his ability to share these with the reader. Writing about the mundane, such as his wife's hair or a bag of peaches, memories of his father, or reminisences of being an immigrant, in each poem is a work of art. I strongly recommend this collection of poetry, especially for those who who have read little (or none) poetry - these poems are simple, beautiful and striking - a magnificent collection.

li young lee has the most phenominal approach to poetry..he will have you riveted from page one...buy this book...

Li-Young Lee, Rose (Boa Editions, 1986)

I am a longtime fan of Li-Young Lee's work, but I somehow never got round to reading Rose, his first book, until now. Sometimes going back and reading the first published work of an author is interesting in that you can see how s/he developed over the years (this is reviewer-code for "man, this book is not nearly as good as I was expecting"); such is not at all the case with Lee, whose first pieces are just as polished, professional, and deeply absorbing as his most recent work:

"From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat.

O, to take what we love inside,
to carry within us an orchard, to eat
not only the skin, but the shade,
not only the sugar, but the days, to hold
the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into
the round jubilance of peach."
("From Blossoms")

Li-Young Lee is a fabulous poet, and if you haven't yet discovered his work, I can't recommend strongly enough that you seek him out as soon as possible. A true poetic treasure. **** ½

This book is great! Jack is so creative and gifted with words. I bought this book for my 4 year old daughter, and she loved every bit of it, except for the Mangorilla and Orangatangerine. She made me skip that part, because she said the picture gave her the creeps!
This book takes you on a bizarre journey through an amazingly creative place with a clever play on words, and wonderful poetic content. My daughter spent hours looking at this book and had fun figuring out the animal combinations that created each character. I was particularly grateful for the pronunciation guide for the animals!

I was intrigued and amused to see another reviewer say her children were obsessed with "Scranimals" -- because that's the same reaction we got with our kid!

Jack Prelutsky evidently knows the secret of how to captivate children, especially when teamed up with illustrators like Peter Sis. Nearly every Prelutsky book that enters our home gets the same treatment: fascination, amusement, and above all, lots of reading and re-reading.

One might say that this is not Prelutsky's most ingenious work, since it's basically a single concept stretched out into a series of variations, not all of which are equally clever. But there's more to it than that. The illustrations are compelling and fun. And much of the poetry is more highly-crafted than one might expect, given the silly first impression the book makes.

A great example is the description of the "Bananaconda" (that word alone always makes ME laugh!) in which the author slathers syballant syllables in silly sequences. I took the opportunity to point out to our first-grader how a poet describes things differently than other kinds of writers.

I then read it aloud to demonstrate that point, sssimply by exsstending each of the esses on the page. At that point, most kids can make the connection between the sound of the words, and their understanding of "S" as the sound made by a snake -- something many of them learn in preschool, if not earlier.

And of course those words were written ABOUT a snake. For a kid to learn that words can have multiple layers of meaning, and to learn that concept at such an early age... well, that's really something. And Prelutsky is one of the best at delivering that kind of depth, even when combined with utter silliness.

In short, Scranimals is definitely a worthy addition to any child's collection, at nearly any age.

During the story a boy and a girl went on a trip the Scranimal Island. They saw a lot of animals such as the RHINOCEROSE, a group SPINACHICKENS, a caravan of CAMELBERTA PEACHES, a lonely POTATOAD, one CARDINALBACORE, couple of HIPPOPOTAMUSHROOMS, talkative PARROTTERS, a sweet PORCUPINEAPPLE, fierce BROCCOLIONS, a nimble ANTELOPETUNIA, an unsuccessful STORMY PETRELEPHANT, content TOUCANEMONES, then the vicious RADISHARK, a yellow BANANACONDA, the fast OSTRICHEETAH, a shy PANADAFFODIL, and the playful MANGORILLA and his friend the ORANGUTANGERINE. The extinct AVOCADODO wasn't smart, strong, or fast, it is no wonder you are extinct.
This book is my favorite picture book because all the animals were mixed up. The craziest animal was the PORCUPINEAPPLE because it was cute and the poem was funny.

My daughter says: "This book is lovely and funny" ... "it makes me smile because it is fun. I love reading this book with my mum."

During the story a boy and a girl went on a trip the Scranimal Island. They saw a lot of animals such as the RHINOCEROSE, a group SPINACHICKENS, a caravan of CAMELBERTA PEACHES, a lonely POTATOAD, one CARDINALBACORE, couple of HIPPOPOTAMUSHROOMS, talkative PARROTTERS, a sweet PORCUPINEAPPLE, fierce BROCCOLIONS, a nimble ANTELOPETUNIA, an unsuccessful STORMY PETRELEPHANT, content TOUCANEMONES, then the vicious RADISHARK, a yellow BANANACONDA, the fast OSTRICHEETAH, a shy PANADAFFODIL, and the playful MANGORILLA and his friend the ORANGUTANGERINE. The extinct AVOCADODO wasn't smart, strong, or fast, it is no wonder you are extinct.
This book is my favorite picture book because all the animals were mixed up. The craziest animal was the PORCUPINEAPPLE because it was cute and the poem was funny.