Description
This extract from the first chapter of Understanding Poetry perfectly sets the tune of the book.
James Reeves is equally well known as poet and as writer on poetry, and in this second role he has the rare gift of being able to communicate enthusiasm rather than simply to list facts.
Taking questions such as 'What is poetry?' and 'What is a poet?' as his starting point, he asserts that all memorable poetry possesses an almost magical power. He shows how the various techniques the poet can use-form, rhythm, metre, diction, rhyme, and so on all help to build up this mysterious power, but he does not try to explain it away, or to pretend that any critic can make you like a poem. Instead he quotes extensively from poems of all periods and points out the features which have helped him to enjoy and value them.
Understanding Poetry is a book for anyone with an interest in poetry - however great or small their knowledge of literary history or poetic technique. ISBN:9780435187682 
