The author looks back on his childhood, friendships, career as a poet, and the influences on his poetry
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
These 27 essays, many published previously in literary magazines, range from autobiographical to literary reflection, from reminiscences of childhood rebellions to a thoughtful reappraisal of free verse. Their combined force puts Ignatow's sensibility within reach of the general reader. And in someespecially the essays on William Carlos Williams, Walt Whitman and Wallace StevensIgnatow illuminates modern masters with a personal wisdom useful to readers of poetry. The poet's bent as a critic is to examine poetry as it is "concretely manifested in my own life," not as a matter of academic interest; his down-to-earth sincerity goes refreshingly against the common critical grain. There are drawbacks: Ignatow's prose can plod, particularly when he ventures into abstract discussion, and storytelling is not his strong pointplot seems to inhibit his freedom to be poetically insightful. At times, when discussing his peers (James Wright, for example), Ignatow lets affection get the better of him, and waxes sentimental. But his presence of mind offers more than mind usually does: the daring and dedication of "a wise old man dancing on his creaky shanks" for poetry's sake.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Instead of merely collecting previous work, Ignatow has gone over 40 years of his writings, keeping a larger book in mind as he revised, expanded, and cut repetitions and dated material. Focusing on the "awareness of the human factor that lay beneath the surface of an aesthetic practice," essay after essay recalls the poet's isolation as a member of the working class, still doing manual labor in his father's bindery 20 years after gaining recognition as a writer. This sense of struggle has shaped not just the poems but the essays, which reveal less about others' works than they do about Ignatow's experience of these works. It is this honesty that impresses. Essential for all contemporary literature collections. Rochelle Ratner, formerly Poetry Editor, "Soho Weekly News," New York
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Dunaway Books, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 80038
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Chequamegon Books, Washburn, WI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: As New in As New dust jacket. A fascinating self-portrait of Ignatow at his work - poetry. 194 pages; 5 1/ 2 x 8 1/4 ". Seller Inventory # 19393
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Signed Copy First edition copy. . Very Good dust jacket. Inscribed by author on laid bookplate. In protective mylar cover. Gilt lettering on spine. Shelf worn. Cover slightly bowed. (poet, american, biography, autobiography). Seller Inventory # S01B-04990
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Willis Monie-Books, ABAA, Cooperstown, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 50174
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Chequamegon Books, Washburn, WI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. 194pp. 5 3/4 x 8 1/4" Near Fine Rear board has a minor warp. VG+ Top front corner is chipped/bumped; light wear to spine; now in mylar protector. Seller Inventory # 115860
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Roundabout Books, Greenfield, MA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Clean, unmarked copy with some edge wear. Good binding. Dust jacket included if issued with one. We ship in recyclable American-made mailers. 100% money-back guarantee on all orders. 0.25. Seller Inventory # 1520463
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Murphy-Brookfield Books, Iowa City SE, IA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. clean, unmarked copy. Seller Inventory # 364933
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Anthology Booksellers, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Cloth. Condition: Near Fine in Fine DJ. First edition. 8vo, 194 pp. Previous owner's book plate, otherwise Fine. Seller Inventory # 12091
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Dan Pope Books, West Hartford, CT, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. First edition, first printing. Hardbound. Fine in a fine dust jacket. A tight, clean copy, unread. NOT price-clipped. Comes with archival-quality mylar dust jacket protector. Shipped in well padded box. F900A. Seller Inventory # 2949
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Henniker Book Farm and Gifts, Henniker, NH, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Very Good/Very Good condition. First edition, first printing. Light soiling to the top edge of the text block. No internal markings of any kind.; 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 26325
Quantity: 1 available