Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2007), Edition: 1, 304 pages
Description
"John Lithgow has hand-picked some of the best poems ever written in this quintessential collection for the whole family to treasure"--Provided by publisher.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Islandgal
This is a wonderful compilation of poetry spanning the ages that you and your family will enjoy. John Lithgow introduces the book discussing how he would listen to his grandmother recite poems she'd learned in school as a child and how the rhythm of words and phrases interested him.
Each poem
A real highlight of the book is the accompanying CD of actors/actresses reading the poems aloud. For those who are challenged by reading poetry, the CD allows you to listen to the poem read by the very talented Gary Sinise, Jodie Foster, John Lithgow and other acclaimed actors.
Each poem
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includes both an introduction of the poet and summary (written by Lithgow) of how the poem can be interpreted. Many of the poems are recognizable, but not always the best known poem by that poet. 20th century poets are included.A real highlight of the book is the accompanying CD of actors/actresses reading the poems aloud. For those who are challenged by reading poetry, the CD allows you to listen to the poem read by the very talented Gary Sinise, Jodie Foster, John Lithgow and other acclaimed actors.
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LibraryThing member janoorani24
This is a review of the audio book, narrated by John Lithgow, with several different readers, to include Morgan Freeman, Gary Sinise, Kathy Bates, and Sam Waterston reading the poems. John Lithgow chose the poems and wrote the introductions to each of them. He includes 50 poems by poets such as
I highly recommend this book in audio format. Almost all of the poems are well selected, and the readings are outstanding. This is one you could listen to over and over again, and not get tired of. The only poets I didn’t enjoy were Whitman and Gertrude Stein. I’ve never liked Whitman, and though I had never read a Stein poem before, the example given here (something she wrote and dedicated to Picasso) doesn’t incline me to want to read any others of hers. I really enjoyed the selection by Hart Crane (To Brooklyn Bridge) – I don’t remember ever reading any of his poems before. Other memorable readings: Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, The Tyger by William Blake, if everything happens that can’t be done by E. E. Cummings, and There is No Frigate Like a Book by Emily Dickinson. Two of my favorite poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Marianne Moore are included, but neither of Lithgow’s selected poems were favorites of mine. In fact one of my quibbles with the book is that, while all the other poets get two poems read, Millay only gets one! The other major quibble I have is that Robert Service wasn’t included. The poems are arranged alphabetically by the authors’ last names, and I waited for most of the book to hear some fabulous voice read The Cremation of Sam McGee only to be disappointed by the questionable choice of Gertrude Stein. Of course, I do realize that Lithgow couldn’t include everyone, but I don’t understand why he included her.
Overall, though, a wonderful book!
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William Blake, Edgar Allen Poe, Marianne Moore, and Hart Crane, and provides a brief biography of each poet as well as comments about their styles and why the poems affected him.I highly recommend this book in audio format. Almost all of the poems are well selected, and the readings are outstanding. This is one you could listen to over and over again, and not get tired of. The only poets I didn’t enjoy were Whitman and Gertrude Stein. I’ve never liked Whitman, and though I had never read a Stein poem before, the example given here (something she wrote and dedicated to Picasso) doesn’t incline me to want to read any others of hers. I really enjoyed the selection by Hart Crane (To Brooklyn Bridge) – I don’t remember ever reading any of his poems before. Other memorable readings: Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, The Tyger by William Blake, if everything happens that can’t be done by E. E. Cummings, and There is No Frigate Like a Book by Emily Dickinson. Two of my favorite poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Marianne Moore are included, but neither of Lithgow’s selected poems were favorites of mine. In fact one of my quibbles with the book is that, while all the other poets get two poems read, Millay only gets one! The other major quibble I have is that Robert Service wasn’t included. The poems are arranged alphabetically by the authors’ last names, and I waited for most of the book to hear some fabulous voice read The Cremation of Sam McGee only to be disappointed by the questionable choice of Gertrude Stein. Of course, I do realize that Lithgow couldn’t include everyone, but I don’t understand why he included her.
Overall, though, a wonderful book!
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LibraryThing member satyridae
I listened to this with my true love and grown stepdaughter. The three of us have wildly divergent tastes and very different levels of familiarity with poetry. We all adored it. Lithgow's passionate introductions to the poems and his capsule biographies of the poets are stellar. The readers, who
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include Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon and Morgan Freeman, are very, very good. The selection is heavily male with the usual exceptions (Moore, Stein, Millay, Browning & a few others) and primarily dead white guys at that. It's still amazingly great, and a wonderful introduction for people hesitant to dive into the deeps unescorted. It's a treat for the poetry lover as well. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member vlodko62
Thank you, Mr. Lithgow, for rekindling my love of poetry. This book is a generous, unsolicited act of kindness.
Though available as a printed book, this one is really best in audiobook form - the readings are mostly fantastic (and you may recognize some of your favorite actors amonge the readers).
Though available as a printed book, this one is really best in audiobook form - the readings are mostly fantastic (and you may recognize some of your favorite actors amonge the readers).
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The only poem I would love to have seen added is Phillip Larkin's "This be the Verse" - but then it might not have qualified as "a poetry book for the whole family." Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
304 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
0446580023 / 9780446580021