The History of English Poetry

The History of English Poetry

  • by Peter Whitfield
  • Narrated by Derek Jacobi
  • 8 hrs and 5 mins
  • Unabridged Audiobook
4.33 (45
Ratings.
)

Publisher's Summary

English literature is a treasure trove of wonderful poetry. From Shakespeare to Milton, Keats to Shelley and Tennyson to Yeats, this accessible history (especially written for Naxos Audiobooks) introduces the listener to countless small masterpieces, including all the old favorites and some lesser-known gems.
Whitfield explores this most expressive of art forms and traces the historical development of a rich and diverse canon of poetical works. The lyrical powers of the most remarkable poets of the English language are illustrated with over 70 extracts.
This is the latest release from Naxos Audiobooks' successful History series, which includes accounts of English literature, theatre, and opera.

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Customer Reviews

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Enjoyable and enlightening

This is an engaging survey of English language poetry, incorporating poems from both England and America. The mark of a good survey is that is leaves you wanting to dig deeper into the subject, and this certainly book does that. The book covers not only different poets, but the development of poetry over the centuries, and it left me wanting more.

Derek Jacobi is an excellent reader, but he doesn't read most of the poems. The readers of the poems are themselves good, but be warned: poetry takes more concentration and involvement than our multi-tasking, couch-potato society is used to, and you'll find yourself rewinding to rehear many of the poems. It is well worth it.
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- Roger

Thrilling and Educational

The combination of the writing and narration is so stimulating that I often had to pause it so I could consider what I just heard. I enjoyed the general sweep of the history and discovered some poetry not previously on my radar.
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- Loyal Customer

Book Details

  • Release Date: 09-28-2009
  • Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks
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