Duncan Steen

Like Volume I, this anthology covers a wide range of poets, presenting one or a few of their best known poems. Unlike Volume I, this volume extends to American poets as well as British poets. While still heavily male, this volume does present more female poets than the first volume, which is a welcome change. One of Christopher Marlowe's poems is included in this anthology, but Samuel Taylor Coleridge's work is still sadly lacking. Altogether though, it was pleasant to hear so many poems I've heard reference to before but never actually sat down and read.… (meer)

This poetry anthology covers a large number of well known British poets, although there are some gaps, notably Christopher Marlowe and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Sadly, the anthology mostly includes poetry from male poets, although this is because most early poets were men. Still, this is a good introduction (or refresher) on English poetry. Furthermore, the narrators are adept at bringing the poetry to life. Classical music is included as breaks now and then in the narration – I’m not really sure what these breaks are supposed to signify, but the music is not unwelcome!… (meer)