Shaw Books

Since receiving this book as a gift last year, I've enjoyed browsing through the amazing photographs and reading the fascinating and inspirational text. It makes the perfect gift for any gender, interest level, or occasion. I'm so disappointed to find it out of print before I've had a chance to share this treasure.

First, though I live close to where the author is a professor, I've never met him and I have no stake in the success of this book.

I found this to be a superbly readable overview of the history and use of blank verse, from its inception by Henry Howard in 1540 to its practitioners of the present day. Much of the story of blank verse involves its modification over time: iambic feet substituted with trochees or anapests; lines with shortened or added feet; the use of enjambment. Don't know what any of that means? Don't worry, it's explained. If you do know what that means, don't worry-- the explanations are not ponderous.

What I like about this book is its balance between commentary, theory, and examples. It's not often I completely read a book on poetic technique in a matter of days. I usually lose interest somewhere in the middle. But this book held my interest as it reminded me of many poets I had heard of but hadn't gotten around to checking out, as well as it introduced me to several poets I have never heard of whose examples were intriguing. In the back of the book is a source list for verse references which I found helpful in finding these poets' works on Amazon. In particular, I'm looking forward to receiving books by Turner Cassity, Roy Fuller, Sidney Keyes, and E. J. Pratt.

The author's style was informative without being dryly academic. It was a pleasure to read. If he has any preferences for the kind of blank verse he finds most satisfactory, he doesn't club the reader over the head trying to prove his opinion is right. I suspect he favors trochaic substitutions over anapestic, and truncated lines over lengthened ones, but he expresses himself in such a balanced way that I'm ready to admit I may be wrong in my suspicions.

I think this is a suitable book for either the poetic novice/apprentice or the journeyman poet. Even if one's primary interest is not in blank verse, even if one's preference is not for metered poetry at all, one can gain an insight into the craft by this examination of what is available and what is given up by embracing or dismissing metered poetry.

I definitely recommend this to anyone serious about being a poet. At this time I prefer it over Alfred Corn's "The Poem's Heartbeat" (my previous favorite), Mary Oliver's "Rules for the Dance", Timothy Steele's "all the fun's in how you say a thing", Derek Attridge's "Poetic Rhythm", or William Baer's "Writing Metrical Poetry". Nothing necessarily wrong with those books-- I just found this one more engaging.

This book had some of the neatest facts that you couldn't find in any other book.

This book was worth the price just to find what I, now, consider to be the supreme DUH! of all times. Hint: it's about pumpkins. What a smack in the head I gave myself after that one. Now, the author may be the self-confessed "Queen of DUH," but let's face it, we have all had our moments. The wonderful thing about Charlene is she not only laughs at herself, but through her delightfully witty writing, she helps the reader do the same for themselves and enjoy it. Personally, I admit to referring to my DUHS as X&#*X# moments. Thanks to this book, I shall refer to them as painfully obvious moments of stupidity with a funny twist.

If you're tired of staying at Motel 6 on every trip, this book provides you with some great options throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The author really did his research, and he gives you a really detailed picture of every inn and hotel listed, from the most interesting dishes on the dinner menu to the exotic and/or amusing history behind some of the establishments.

It's the start of the new hockey season for the Icehogs. Brady Brady and all his friends are sure that this is going to be the best season yet. At the first practice, everyone is ready to work hard to get ready for their first game against the Hounds.

But Chester the goalie isn't there. In fact, Chester doesn't show up for the game against the Hounds either. It goes without saying that the Icehogs lose, very badly. The team members start to wonder why Chester wasn't at the game. Why hadn't he told anyone that he wasn't going to show up?

Things only get worse for the team as Kev overhears Chester talking the next day at school. Chester tells his teacher something about being on the B team. Could it really be true? Did Chester abandon his friends to join another hockey team? Brady Brady and the rest of the Icehogs are about to get an important lesson in friendship, loyalty, and dependability.

We all know that Brady is well meaning. He absolutely loves to play hockey and be with his friends. Unfortunately, sometimes Brady's passion gets him into a little bit of trouble.

Such is the case in Brady Brady and the Big Mistake. Brady is excited about having his friends come over and play a little shinny on his backyard rink. He's made everything perfect. Then, he comes up with what seems like a great idea to make the game even better. His Dad has a special puck, signed by none other than Bobby Orr himself, sitting in a case on his desk. Even though he gets a strange feeling in his stomach, Brady decides to take the puck without asking and use it in the game. You just know there's going to be trouble.

Hockey can be a pretty expensive sport. Like all players, Brady and the Icehogs are growing up fast which means that they tend to outgrow their equipment quickly. For many kids, like Gregory, their parents just can't afford to buy new hockey equipment.

In Brady Brady and the Great Exchange, Brady realizes something is troubling his fellow Icehog, Gregory. Eventually, Gregory confesses that his skates are too small and that his parents can't afford new ones. It looks like Gregory might have to quit the team. That is, until Brady Brady comes up with a brilliant plan. Good going Brady Brady!

Everyone loves hockey tournament time. Brady Brady and his friends were especially excited about their upcoming tournament. Not only was it the biggest tournament of the season but this year the Icehogs were hosting the event.

Brady had been dreaming about this year's tournament for quite a while. In his dreams, he scores the winning goal in the big game and the Icehogs win The Gold Stick. Wouldn't that be great! It's every hockey players' favorite dream.

The Icehogs work hard and do well in their games. They even make it to the final against the Dragoons. Will they win the most important game of the season? Will Brady Brady score the winning goal? You'll have to read Brady Brady and the Most Important Game to find out.

What makes for an MVP? Brady Brady thinks he knows. Kev may not be the fastest skater, the greatest goal scorer, or the hardest shooter but he's got a lot of heart. At every practice, Kev makes a big entrance and gets everyone ready to work hard. Before every game starts, he introduces himself to the referees and then cheers the team on with lots of positive chatter. Afterwards, Kev's always the last one out of the dressing room because he wants to talk to everyone about the game.

In Brady Brady and the MVP, Kev really gets a chance to show his stuff. The coach of the Stars is so impressed with Kev's sportsmanship that he offers the boy a place with his team. It would be a great opportunity. He'd get a lot more ice time and might even score a goal. What decision does Kev make? Read Brady Brady and the MVP and find out.