Poetry Books

With reading and storytelling as important background themes, we learn how one intelligent, sensitive and creative young black man survived Jim Crow's pre-WWII south. In Adam David Miller's memoir, "Ticket to Exile" we stand in an important American literary tradition that began with the slave narratives and carried on through the transitional work of Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, Alex Haley's "Roots" and even the the wild (yet deeply humane) work of Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor, Harper Lee, and Zora Neale Hurston. In Orangeburg, South Carolina, the separation between whites and blacks was not so much a ghettoized apartheid as a separation enforced by the banal daily routines of institutional racism: humiliation, the constant aura of violence, and "laws" and customs meant to enforce powerlessness and subservience, both economic and cultural. In this south, blacks and whites lived near one another, their lives constantly intertwining and mutually influencing. Northerners often don't get this. Miller's writing places us smack-down in an "anytown" America through its uncanny descriptions of that rural/village setting, filtered through a child's lens. Here, people know each other's business all too well, and petty prejudices and stifling status markers play their painful roles. Neverthless--and here is the memoir's comic relief--people (and Miller) get by on their imaginations: storytelling lends a balance to harsh realities; even the stories of catching and eating vermin are not entirely repelling because of the oddly compelling form in which the memories are recounted. Miller's soft-spoken worldliness shows us, too, how West African roots express themselves in southern culture; I'd like more of this in our telling of American history. I love the details of how families and neighbors got along (or didn't) and Miller's understated poetic prose--there's nothing show-offy here, thank goodness. I had a visceral awareness of this time and place, and even when the going was exceptionally rough, I felt the writer's confident hand. The book left me with a deeper vision of race in America and of humanity in its larger sense, for, if anything, the book showed me how the manufacture of "race" always limits our humanity. This book should be required reading in schools, book-groups, and the halls of our political leaders.

VERY INTERESTING MEMOIR,THE IMPACT THAT DRIVE UKNOWN LIMITS TO COLOR PEOPLE,THIS STILL UNRESOLVE, THIS BOOK GIVES YOU THE BIG PICTURE HOW, BACK IN TIME THE WOLRD START TO DISSECT THEMSELVES AND NOT BEING RESPECTED AS REAL HUMANS BEING.

Adam David Miller's new memoir is a startling look back at a valuable life that was nearly extinguished by ignorance and fear. The book is a multi-faceted look at the human condition and how we treat one another in a world that would often have us consider one another the enemy. The fact is that Mr. Miller does himself great credit by not hammering on the idea that only white people were dangerous to existence, and emphasizing that race is not the only issue, but difference of any sort. This, despite the central fact that his tale is one of fear and oppression by white people. This lack of hyperbole gives credence to the basis for his story. Here is the tale of a man almost lynched by a mob of white men during the early 40's in the Jim Crow South, a tale that takes the time and care to cover all the ways in which human beings demean and punish one another for their individuality. In doing this, Mr. Miller makes it quite clear that there are good folks and bad folks, although he does not use that nomenclature, but that the hierarchy of oppression from white to black is only one sort of bigotry, and that horror begins with fear of difference. The central and underlying concept of the book impresses anyone who picks this volume up with its certain knowledge of what centuries of oppression does to those oppressed: to turn those of white skin against those whose blood contains so little as "one drop" of African-American blood, those of lighter color against those who have darker skin, male and female against one another, those with education and social standing against their less well-educated, well-heeled neighbors, those from one side of a town against those from the less-desirable address, and homophobes of whatever sexual orientation who fear they might become tainted by what a person does in the privacy of his or her own body against love, and those with the desire for love, however that might be defined. This moving book is the story of a town in the Jim Crow South, but it is also the story of anytown anywhere in the United States of its time - and of anytown anywhere today (despite the current emphasis on politically correct phraseology practiced in public). It is also the story of a boy turned man in one second by circumstances beyond his control, and beyond his ken at the moment he is betrayed. Mr. Miller's young life is held forfeit in the hands of a group of men who know him and his family and yet consider killing him because of his skin color. In addition, it is the story of all of us at that age (19) - bored with our hometown, looking for some new and interesting person/thing/idea, we leave the local setting and set out on our journey to human independence. The difference here is that Mr. Miller is thrown from one sort of exile into another, as much against his journey as his ancestors were against theirs. For most of us growing up with a wish for independence, we find ourselves in new territory, but Mr. Miller finds himself in terrifying new territory in the city jail, and later in completely new territory, both mentally and physically. It is a journey to independence as a human being, and Mr. Miller makes the telling of his odyssey with rare grace and aplomb. We can thank the framers of the Declaration of Independence (some of whom were slaveholders) for the quote "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...," but we owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Miller for having continued the tradition of citizens who fought for independence so that they might live in a way that honors the individual bravery and honor of all. This reminder is all the more ironic coming from a man whose ancestors were ripped from their own country and culture and exiled into enforced enslavement. Bravo, Mr. Miller! Next installment please!

What an immensely readable treasure. I smiled, I cried, I was provoked, riled against the injustices, 'bled' from the scab of hurt living with this history in my lap. I was kept on the edge of my seat for two nights even though the book is structured with the 'ending' first--what an accomplishment just on that note alone. I'm deliciously confused how the author kept the suspense and incredible tension going in flashback. So all this to say, I'm waiting for the 'next installment...' (a memoir covering the next period of years?)

Ticket to Exile The book, Ticket to Exile is a rare intimate portrait of an intelligent mind trapped in an ignorant world. As I read this book I found it to be thought provoking and inspiring. As a person of color, I kept comparing my life to Mr. Miller's childhood. I was amazed by how resilient and resourceful my elders were in stark contrast to how easy my life is today. Ticket to Exile opened my eyes to the subtle and damaging aspects of internal and institutional racism as it was at that time and it made me reflect on how it continues today. If this book doesn't change your mind I hope that it changes your heart. As it has mine. Ticket to Exile is an affirmation of life. Thank you Mr. Miller! I highly recommend this book for all readers, book clubs and especially High School students.

JAKE IS A TALENTED YOUNG MAN WITH MANY GOAL AHEAD OF HIM. HIS WRITINGS ARE VERY INSPIRATIONAL AND HE HAS DONE VERY WELL. DISPITE HIS BLINDNESS, HIS ABILITY TO WRITE AND ACHIEVE HIS GOALS ARE REMARKABLE. CONTINUE TO WRITE YOUR POEMS.

Jake is an inspiration to all who have read his poetry books. I have been inspired twice because I have met this young man. He is a gifted writer and is like a storyteller using poetry. Jake reminds us that despite our shortcomings, we are capable of achieving our dreams. His poetry reflects life experiences we all share. Every parent needs to share this young man's story with their children because they need positve influences to help shape their lives for tomorrow.

I have heard this wonderful young man speak and have been incredibly moved by his story and the obstacles he has overcome. His beautiful book of poetry has become one of my greatest treasures. I'm delighted that Amazon.com is helping make "Time Is Slipping Away" available for all the world to read and enjoy. Jake is not only an extremely gifted writer but a powerfully inspirational speaker as well. He'll melt your heart and keep you longing to hear more. The best advice I can give is: buy yourself a copy and enjoy every word, then send some copies to your family and friends. It's a perfect gift to send to anyone at any time, and a source of inspiration you will treasure forever.

What a wonderful compilation of poems, and thoughts Jakes has compiled. Jakes parents must be very proud of their son. The book takes me back to the time when I was young, and full of the wonders of life. We are proud to have Jake as a MAA(Motown Alumni Association)member.

Jake's poems tell a story of how someone who is blind can still see, feel and experience the many joys and pains of the world. Through his eyes Jake expresses his way of experiencing life in a way many of us will never understand. Through his vision, we can all learn how to look at the simple things and weight them with much more strength!

Kids ...as well as adults... will love this book of poems. They're whimsical, witty, and just plain fun. The clever illustrations compliment the fun and lyrical text. This book is a joy to read!

This is a delightful book. As a former primary teacher, I recommend it on 2 levels. First...the poems will appeal to children (and adults!). Secondly...the poems can lead to more discussions about specific birds, bird feeder observations, and acquaintance with our natural environment.

This book of poems for bird lovers is a total delight. The whimsical illustrations match Ruddell's funny and clever poems. This book is great for older children who will appreciate some of the more sophisticated humor. My 12 year old's favorite is about the woodpecker:

If you think his life is a picnic,
a seesawing day at the park
I ask you just once to consider
the aftertaste
of bark.

My students chuckled with delight and begged me to keep reading Ruddell's wonderfully whimsical poems. Anyone who loves birds and poetry will find a magical pairing in these witty and wise poems and Rankin's joyous illustrations. Today at the Bluebird Cafe is a must for any library or child's bookshelf.

Although the poems in this book have a common theme (birds), they are anything but "common" in their use of language and the delightful way they tickle the funnybone while imparting tidbits of knowledge about our fine, feathered friends. The art is superb and complements the poems beautifully. The book is certain to become a treasured favorite in homes, schools, and libraries everywhere.

Este libro de poemas es hermosisimo ..... si la vida fuera como lo mencionan los poemas, no podría decir cual es la mejor entre las mejores....

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

ramillete de flores perfumadas que nos devuelven a la belleza del amor !
HERMOSÌSIMAS... SI LA VIDA ME FUERA EN ELLO, NO PODRIA DECIR CUAL ES LA MEJOR ENTRE LAS MEJORES !

Urbina, con su "Lo sentï: No fue una separacion, sino un desgarramiento.."
Neruda: "Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes esta noche...
"Lope de Vega: "¿Que tengo yo que mi amistad procuras?¿Qué interés se te sigue, Jesus mío ?"
Nervo:"Si Tu me dices "ven", lo dejo todo..!"
El Fraile Guevara: " No me mueve, mi Dios, para quererte, el cielo que me tienes prometido..."
Aguirre y Fierro con su Brindis del Bohemio
La Mistral:"PIececitos de niño, azulosos de frío,¿como os ven y no os cubren,? ¡Dios Mío!"
Andres E. Blanco"Por mi el cmbate en la altura
y en la palabra civil.
Por mi la flor en la barda
y la Rosa de Martì.
Por mi, ni un odio, hijo mio:
¡Ni un solo rencor por mi!"

No hay mucho más que decir...Por esta obra, desfila la belleza del alma humana...

It probably sounds almost like a cliche, but I still must say it--Anne Sexton takes a new spun perspective on the classic Grimm fairy tales. She has a "theme" which she feels is appropriate for each story. Then, she fills in the blank of what elements and details seem to be missing in the fairy tales. The flat and static characters such as Mother Gothel now become a more complex character. In this cynical and dense poems, Sexton makes it seem as if her stories are the untold truth of the fairy tales.

I teach Anne Sexton in my freshman College English class and I work specifically from this text because the stories are at once familiar shared traditions and disturbing alterations of those traditions. The 18 year olds I teach, who only know fairy tales from the white-washed Disney versions, are intrigued by these dark and psychological interpretations. For the fairy tale afficianado these poems are a must read.

I have Anne Sexton's complete works, and this book rises above the rest. The fairy tale framework compels more structure and discipline from a poet accustomed to rambling (but often brilliant) confessional observation. It is, in my estimation, her finest work.

Her take on "Snow White" refuses to establish heroines or villains. The girl is a lovely virgin, "cheeks as fragile as cigarette paper...lips like Vin du Rhone." The jealous queen, still beautiful at middle age but fearing that time isn't on her side and informed by her mirror she's no longer "the fairest of them all," tries to kill her. For this, she is punished by torture. The twist here is that Sexton makes it clear that some day the virgin girl will meet the queen's fate: "Meanwhile Snow White held court,/ rolling her china-blue eyes open and shut/ and sometimes referring to her mirror/ as women do."

The lesbian implications of "Rapunzel" are brought to the fore, and the transvestite deception of "Little Red Riding Hood" is remarked on. Sexton crashes the dreamy romance of Cinderella with the mundane reality of marriage. "Happily ever after" is contrasted with "diapers...arguing...getting a middle-aged spread." The Freudian power of mother is accented in the poet's take on "Hansel and Gretel"; Sexton brings out dark implications of child murder and pedophilia that the original tale merely glosses.

Twenty years before Robert Bly tackled the "Iron John" fairy tale, Sexton put her spin on it, stressing the main character's cannibalism and outcast status. She compares the hairy wild man to a string of deeply troubled characters from her imagination. It is here where her poetry reaches the peak of its intensity: "A lunatic wearing that strait jacket/ like a sleeveless sweater, singing to the wall like Muzak.../ And if they stripped him bare/ he would fasten his hands around your throat/ After that he would take your corpse/ and deposit his sperm in three orifices./ You know, I know,/ you'd run away."

Sexton's deep-delving into childhood stories, unearthing the very real and plausible taboos they skirt, is refreshing. Her anachronistic use of modern language (Muzak, for instance) is artful and effective. The best thing about this book, however, is that so much madness and sadness is surmised from such timeless and appealing stories. Happy endings are left intact but with a shadow cast over them. Sexton is a poet of the dark--with no one to save her "from the awful babble of that calling."

In all my readings of fairy tale variations, this has to be one of the best. Anne Sexton takes a grim and twisted approach to the already grim and twisted versions of the Grimm Brothers.

Of course, these poems are simply an extension of Anne Sexton's already established confessional form, but poetry is, first and foremost, an expression of society. These poems fail to remain part of Sexton's inner turmoil. Rather, they mock society and the roles that women are traditionally placed within fairy tales. Anne Sexton, in an example here, uses anachronisms to reach her audience, making references to popular culture.

The Queen Cried two pails of sea water. She was as persistent as a Jehovah's Witness.

Anne Sexton, "Rumpelstiltskin"

Although Sexton's poems are not suitable for an audience of children, they do serve as interesting, even necessary reading, once a child has matured and read beyond the traditional fairy tales that are `suitable' for kids.

In this remarkable collection of poems, Anne Sexton offers readers seventeen transformations of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. As she makes clear in the first poem "The Gold Key", Sexton assumes the persona of the storyteller for this collection, calling herself a "middle-aged witch" with "my face in a book and my mouth wide, ready to tell you a story or two." This device allows her to write about intensely personal topics, such as a sexually abusive father, through the detached voice of a storyteller. The use of fairy tales also provides Sexton with a shared cultural framework that enables her to communicate her own experiences and perspectives in a universal language that readers already understand intimately.

Fairytales have a power few of us realize. The stories shape many of our fantasies as children; they also condition us to accept traditional gender roles as we grow up. I believe that Anne Sexton understood their power and influence. She brilliantly tapped into that power and transformed the tales in a way that forces the reader to look at them with fresh eyes. Before launching into the tales themselves, Sexton set the themes of the stories in a modern or personal context. These connections, along with the interlacing of 20th century details (like soda pop and jockstraps) and her use of modern syntax in the fairy tales made their subversive commentary on the burdens and fears of women in a society shaped by male dominance startlingly clear.

In her transformed tales, Sexton examines the female archetypes they depict: the docile virgin, the wicked stepmother, the aging witch. She also sheds an illuminating, feminist light on the themes of female competition and the idea of happily ever after which pop up often in fairytales. It is significant that Sexton uses the gritty Grimm versions of the tales, instead of the child-friendly Disney versions we grew up with. Their original form reveals the subversive nature and insightful symbolism of the fairy tales, many of which were crafted by women.

While this collection is a departure from Sexton's typical confessional style, the poems of "Transformations" are unabashedly naked and intimately introspective--a wondrous achievement by one of our greatest poets.

Readers Comments about Trilogy Moments

Errol, Maryland, USA. Great poetry book! The scene on the cover is reminiscent of the Caribbean and the water reminds me of Daytona Beach in Florida. The poems are original and brilliant. They touch on reality and address things one may consider factual based on life experiences.
JonJon, Milwaukee, USA: The Epulaeryu poems are just awesome, and they appeal to the sense of sight and taste. I would love to have a delicious dish of Epulaeryu right now!
Dr Onyemena in Wisconsin, USA: This is a profound book for reflection. It's very inspirational, philosophical, and reflects life experiences. This is a must read for the family in search of the meaning of life. The poems are vibrant and bring about a sense of family belongingness in the words. This is a wonderful book of poetry to read for meditation and relaxing the mind.
Ingrid, New York, USA: Yes, another winner for the Spence family: the second poetry book is full of life and imagery. Trilogy Moments also introduces a new form of poetry -- Epulaeryu -- where foods are described in a precise and concise way. Once again many literary devices are used, and the organization of the book is superb. Trilogy Moments is a good read during a quiet evening, or in a vibrant classroom. Keep it up Trilogy Team!
James Scott, Midwest, USA: This book of poetry inspired me to think, reflect, and appreciate the power of words. The authors give a masterful and colorful incite into everyday things that we experience. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. It will brighten your day.
Bessie Jones, Wauwatosa, USA: Trilogy Moments is innovative and inspirational. It is undoubtedly one of life's most joyful experiences for all ages.
Dr. Warren McIver, Milwaukee, USA: This is an excellent book of poetry. I love the prose and the flow of the words. The imagery created by the book is wonderful and captivating. The Epulaeryu form created by Joseph Spence is awesome. I love the tasty delicacies and dishes presented in each poem. The poems are very realistic and make the reader think about life in deep meditation. They cover everyday experiences including how to deal with turmoil and how to celebrate success. Each poem is very inspirational and encouraging. I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

This is an outstanding book of poetry by the Spence family. I like the inspirational tone of the poems and the uplifting message each one sends. The imagery is so beautiful throughout the book, especially in the section addressing "Prayers for Life Events" and "Daily Inspirational Thoughts," just to name a few. The poems cover family, love, relationships, reflections on their travels, and much more; they also open ones mind to new possibilities. The "Epulaeryu" poetic form invention by Joseph Spence is marvelous and flows with such grace. It's about succulent food and will tease your creative cooking style. Don't forget the "Epulaeryu" section at section at the end of the book. Joseph is a Poet Laureate and National Poet Judge Advocate from the Poetry Corner, and he has diligently worked with his wife, Sheila, and son, Jonathan, in obtaining such great distinctions, which they have earned also. This is an outstanding book of poetry for all to read by an outstanding family of laureate authors and poets. Another great book of poetry to read is, "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul."

Although the Spence family have devoted only one section in this book to "Family, Love and Relationships", every section reflects what family life and love should be all about. With each family member contributing their well-written poetry, readers can see the respect and love that each one holds for the other. As you read this book, you will actually feel the stress and tension melt away as their beautiful words bring a feeling of peaceful enjoyment. This book encompasses a few different forms of poetry including the Epulaeryu, Nonet, Pleiades and Trois-par-Huit among others. If you are not familiar with these forms, no problem! There is a section of definitions provided so that you may get the full benefit of what the poems have to offer. From Joseph's "Autumn Rain" to Sheila's "Jamaica Shining" and with Jonathan's "A Father's Heart" between them, Trilogy Moments for the Mind Body and Soul will lift your spirits like no other!

Christina R Jussaume
This collection of poetry was outstanding! It was written from a family of poets. It took us to many countries and was very enjoyable to read. As a poet myself, you all did well with each form that was written. The poems inspirational value brought peace as I read them and your own created form, the Eupulaeryu poetry was splendid. I felt as if I was enjoying all those exotic meals you so creatively wrote of. Blessings with your poetic endeavors. Author of "My Walk with Jesus" published by PublishAmerica also. Christina R Jussaume

"Trilogy Moments" is a poetry book for the mind, body and soul, beautifully crafted by the husband, wife and son trio of Joseph, Sheila and Johnathan Spence. This book embraces many different poetic forms such as haiku, quatrain, nonet, senryu, acrostic and introduces a new form created by Joseph Spence called, "epulaeryu", which is a poem about delicious foods. There is a section in the back of the book defining each poetic form, making this a perfect reference guide for new poets.

"Trilogy Moments" is broken into nine sections covering such topics as, "The Seasons of Beauty", "Daily Inspirational Thoughts", and "Family, Love and Relationships" to name a few. My favorite section is entitled, "Prayers for Life Events", which makes me see "Trilogy Moments" as not only a book of enjoyable poetry, but also as a book to pick up when in need of a little pick-me-up.

The Spence's are a very blessed and talented family, and I thank them for sharing their blessings through this wonderful book.

I'll be the first to admit I don't like poetry. Never had; that is until I read Dave's book. It's an easy read that can turn almost anyone who doesn't like poetry into a reader, at least of his (hahahaha). You can tell from his poems that he isn't here to show off fancy verse work and snazzy technique and all that nonsense. It's straight from the soul. It's honest. And that's all I ask for in any artist. Can't wait for his second book. May I suggest a title, perhaps "The Truth and Nothing But the Truth 2?" Okay, that was bad. I'm sure he'll come up with something much better. Buy two! Support a movement, damn it.

This book is truly unbelivable. The poetry is straight from the heart and any one who reads this book will see the authenticity of each poem. With poems like "Mind Stimulation" that speaks about the realities of like to poems "When I Look Into Your Eyes" which is about chasing after a girl, David Mclean gives you a range of poems that are emotional and can be deeply felt by everyone. Thank you David Mclean for such a well written book of poetry.

David is an amazing writer and an even more amazing performer!! Hes an excellent poet and knows what he's doing. He took his personal stories, wrote it down and wrote a top seller =) Even if your not into poetry you'll love this book! I know I dont really read poetry but I swear I could not put this book down!! Its amazing and inspiring and its definatly worth the money to go out and buy this book!!

The Truth And Nothing But The Truth by David Mclean is truly unbelievable. This is a book that gives people a variety of different poems. For example in the book you have the poem "Mind Stimulation" which deal with what is going on in life today to a poem like "When I Look Into Your Eyes" which talks about a man chasing after a girl. This book is truly a book of art. With well written Poetry this is sure to be a success. Thank you David Mclean for a well written book of Poetry.

The book is ASTONISHING! I was never into poetry, but I love this book and glad I bought it. I feel related to a lot of poems in there (especially Talk About), and so would you. The book is well written, and straightforward. David talks about things that are real in life. I would recommend it to any one of any age to buy it then feel it for themselves. I'm glad to see people like him writing these kinds of poems that surely will inspire a lot of young to read more, and write. Now that's the truth!

I like this book very much. A wide variety of poems that are well written and left me very pleased with this purchase. The simpleness and smoothe delivery of his pen is awesome. A few left me pondering, but still very good. However, I didn't care for the different fonts throughout the book. The size of the fonts were larger than normal too. The art was great.
10 STARS!

My friend had picked up the book here, and he let me read it, so I thought an appraisal of it would be appropriate. I'm usually a tough nut to crack when it comes to enjoying others poetry, but after reading his poems, I am convinced he can write really well. This is a new poet that expresses himself and the things around him with vividness.
Actually, he states that he's been writing for 20 years, so he's not really "new." I suppose that I should pick one up for myself, this is a book I could easily read over and over again.

The author is well versed in a diverse mixture of poems. His writing is eloquent, moving, and powerful. If you like Walt Whitman or Robert Frost, just to name a couple, then you will like this book. The art, draw my his brother, is quite good too.
I'm really a huge fan of romance, and his poems in that chapter of his book are stunning. I especially like "Tell me, The Romantic Poet, Upon my word, Regaining a lost love, I love you, Joyful delight, and Something great about you."
The tragedy chapter was also superb. His poems, "He remembers, The sound in my head, Broken Promises, I'm tired, Implore yourself, and Reflections," are great poems.
I might as well tell you about the essence chapter. "The living trees, Responsible drinking, The way of trust, My smile, The friendship, and Do the right thing," are my favorites in that chapter.
There was a few poems that I didn't care for, but there are so many good poems in this book; it eludes me that a person's first book can be so good. I wonder if he has a pen name that he was published under...
I can't wait to share it with my girlfriend.

What a great book this is. I purchased it because he's a member of the armed forces.
His poems are very expressive and pleasurable to read. One of my favorite books in my possession now, and I would recommend it if I were asked.

You would have to be illiterate to not understand the poems contained in this book.

This guy is good with words and seems very well educated.

A very intriguing book that I enjoyed from start to finish. The substance and the flow of his work has been written in outstanding fashion. The poems are very entertaining- suspenseful, humorous, tragic, romantic, sentimental and educational.

This poetry book is by far the most entertaining book of poetry that I have read in quite some time. There is a magic in this persons voice that projects power and it pleads to be heard, and I just could not stop reading. This is one book that I can actually read more than once! I think he has actually invented some new forms too.

If there is a book of poetry that someone were to acquire today or tomorrow, I would recommend this one wholeheartedly. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you do, I think anyone would love this book.

I should also state that the reason I purchased the book was because of what the cover looked like, very nice work that you don't see in a poetry book.

I took (by choice) four years of Latin in high school and have continued to play intermittently with the language since then. Of all the various texts and readers that I've seen over the years, Pharr's edition of "The Aeneid" is by far the best. Why? Because its structure removes much of the tedious burden of looking up vocabulary in the dictionary and allows the reader to focus on the way the language is used and to appreciate the literary aspects of the Virgil's work. Having the vocabulary for each page on the bottom of that page along with the standard grammatical notes was a stroke of genius. This page vocabulary is suppplemented by a bare-bones pull-out sheet of common words and a full grammar as an appendix, so everything the student-reader needs is right there and readily accessible.

My sole complaint is that this volume includes only Books 1-6. Even though Books 7-12 are generally considered less interesting than 1-6, they deserve a similar treatment as well. Barbara Boyd's Pharr-like treatment of selected scenes from 7-12 is just not enough for die-hard Virgil addicts.

I've seen relatively little comparable to Pharr for other Latin classics, but I'd love to find editions like this for Ovid, Livy, Cicero, or Horace. Pharr's approach is the most sensible I've found for instilling a sense of love for the Latin language in its students. If my high school teacher hadn't used Pharr's edition of Virgil all those years ago, I suspect my love for the Latin language would be a distant memory by now. Thanks to Pharr, Latin may have killed off all the Romans, but it didn't succeed in killing me.

Just this year, we began using this textbook in our Latin class. I have found that it has made an immense difference in the class's ability to translate and understand the rhetorical devices used. They no longer struggle with the vocabulary: it is presented on the same page as the text! The notes that accompany each page are extensive and very enlightening. I VERY rarely disagree with them (with our previous textbook, I didn't agree with many of the choices they made). The grammatical appendix is outstanding. One caution for teachers using this as a classroom textbook: your students may begin to use the vocabulary lists as a crutch, never actually learning the words. Otherwise, I would very strongly recommend this book for anyone who desires to read this masterpiece in its original form, for a class or otherwise. To Clyde Pharr, I say "Optime!"

I used this book nearly 20 years ago in a class devoted to studying and translating the Aeneid; looking at the copyright page, I can see that the first copyright on the book was back in 1930. Clyde Pharr produced a far-reaching book, for it to remain in effective, useful life for such a long term. Reprinted now by the Bolchazy-Carducci Press (the press responsible for such fun books as 'Cat in the Hat' and 'Green Eggs and Ham' in Latin), it remains one of the better books for students, classroom and independent study types, to use to learn Latin and study the Aeneid.

Each page consists of anywhere from five to twenty lines of text from Vergil's Aeneid. The rest of the page is devoted to reader notes. These are in two sections -- first, a secondary vocabulary list taken from the lines above; the bottom section are generous notes, which give unique vocabulary, grammar points, special usage notes, history and more. The text is printed with most general vocabulary printed in standard font face (these are words that occur frequently), and can be found on the General Word List in the back. Other words appear in italics, and are found in the list in the middle of the page. At the end of the book, there are lists of words broken into frequency -- the General Word List contains all words occuring 24 times or more in the six books; two other lists have the words which occur 12-23 time and 6-11 times, respectively. The amount of memorisation for vocabulary versus looking up words in the notes can then be regulated by the student or teacher.

There is a grammatical appendix at the end, with 477 separate items of concern. Much of this is review from prior Latin grammars the student is supposed to have learned; a companion Latin grammar is also recommended by Pharr (there are several from which to choose). The appendix follows different pagination, and even has its own index.

The Aeneid is a fascinating text, one of the greatest epics of the ancient world; it takes up the task of the Iliad/Odyssey cycle and 'updates', if you will, the story line into the Roman era. Pharr's book helps the reader to work with it in its original language, easily and methodically, with only a minimum of Latin training (one year is probably sufficient) required for engagement.

This book is the pinnacle of Aeneid translators. I used this in AP latin during high school and have recently purchased my own copy to start it up again. The footnotes and appendices are invaluable resources in their helpfulness and explanation of Vergil's poetry and scansion for those not familiar with dactyllic hexameter. The word list in the back is very helpful as well but a latin dictionary is a must since some derivatives of words are hard to translate (not a negative for this book, just a warning). Highly recommended by everyone with whom I've spoken who know of the Aeneid.

What a wonderful introduction to Latin poetry this work is. The fold-out vocabulary sheet and on-the-page vocabulary lists (referenced by non-italicizing the text) faciliate translation for beginning Latin scholars who must plod through the 1800 lines or so for the AP exam. The notes are copious and provide a much needed introduction to general features of Latin poetry. This text should not however, be used at the college level when trying to gain greater self-sufficiency at reading Latin.

Wanda Phipp's poems are deliciously spare and delightful to read. She balances the acutal with the metaphysicaL in some acute and beautiful ways through the spaces she moves in and out of:
"a kiss not a kiss but a city operational I am with tea and mobility" #28 Like a Wallace Stevens orange on a Sunday morning, but without the formalisms, these poems glow with a garden of City delights and sometimes, doubts. But underlying the collection is a journey, and a celebration of being an artist in New York, which can be both a city of constraints (survival work) and semi-or subconscious visions and serendipities...From many angles she portrays her own musings and the City's light. Read it!

I was given this book by a friend. Since I have very strong opinions about poetry--having grown up reading Anne sexton, May Sarton, Auden, etc--I thought, "I'm not even going to look at this. Nice cover, though."
Imagine my surprise when I glanced through it, and was so caught up that i sat down, poured a glass of wine, and read all the way through. i called my mom and read her a poem. I read one to my husband. I read one to the cat. I was surprised: the poems are seemingly unassuming, but their power accumulates, and they finally offer a true and piercingly insightful look into a modern woman's real heart.
This book had become part of my life. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Wanda Phipps' 66 Morning Poems, teaches us to be more in-tune with our own morning thoughts as we read the ones she has captured here in this book. Succinct crystal clear observation is the fuel Wanda Phipps provides her reader so to feel and see for themselves. Wanda Phipps does and will continue to make the world a better place. SEE HER LIVE!

Wanda Phipps' Wake-Up Calls 66 Morning Poems is a delightful read wherever and whenever you choose to pick up this book. This series of poems makes for the catalyst to a great day. I have enjoyed reading these poems in the early morning when I wake a prepare for my day. I love taking this book on the train and reading as I head to work. I feel a sense of being centered in Wanda's choice of words and feel like she's tapped into the early morning experiences we all go through in life. After finishing, I felt like I wanted more poems. I wanted each morning to continue reading through her colorful textures. Wanda evokes an energy that wakes this readers morning peak. At this point, I will explore searching for further reading material on Wanda Phipps. I truly enjoyed reading her poems not once, but several times since I've purchased this book.

Regards,

Thomas Paul

The style is so appealing, lyrical-sensual. Wanda Phipps evokes a kind of dreamy Bohemian lifestyle one doesn't hear enough about in this high-pressure type-A world. Thanks to her for helping to bring that back.