"Poets live the lives all of us live," says Bill Moyers, "with one big difference. They have the power--the power of the word--to cr...
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reviews
Jan 07, 2009
Bruce
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This was a wonderful book for someone like myself who is a reader of, but not a writer of poetry. Moyers interviews a number of contemporary poets on the art and process of writing poetry. You are given a deeper sense of who these writers are, and each is represented by a half dozen or so of their poems.
I found myself with a deeper understanding of a number of poets whose work I already knew such as Donald Hall, Galway Kinnell, Gary Snyder, Stanley Kunitz, and Sharon Olds. Even b More...
I found myself with a deeper understanding of a number of poets whose work I already knew such as Donald Hall, Galway Kinnell, Gary Snyder, Stanley Kunitz, and Sharon Olds. Even b More...
Aug 18, 2010
Kate
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Who knew that poets are just people too? Bill Moyers does a superb job of cracking poetry's hard veneer to reveal mere mortals on the inside at the Dodge Poetry Festival. He welcomes us to think twice about what poetry can offer.
In the same fashion as Moyer's famed Power of Myth interview with Joseph Campbell, the thirty-four interviews in The Language of Life were originally viewed on PBS, then written into a companion book.
The writers discuss what poetry means to them More...
In the same fashion as Moyer's famed Power of Myth interview with Joseph Campbell, the thirty-four interviews in The Language of Life were originally viewed on PBS, then written into a companion book.
The writers discuss what poetry means to them More...
Apr 15, 2009
Keely
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I got this book for a class I ended up dropping and did not appreciate it in the slightest for many years. The book has a few poems, but is mostly comprised of interviews with poets. Being a book pack rat the book stayed on my shelf unopened, until I started taking an interest in how contemporary poets approach their poetry and what their influences are. This is a useful little book and can teach you more than a thing or two about poetics.
Dec 17, 2009
Erin
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At the time, I was entering into the nurturing world of the Open Mic. Thank god for Kieran's, and that jazz club in Saint Paul called the Artist Quarter, and people like Lenore and Chris Shillock and, later, Michael Quinn. Or else I'd be a mermaid in Lake Superior = my selkie self = not quite alive.
Okay, I will now dispense with my dramatic autobiography and tell you some of the reasons why this book deserves five stars:
1. Modern living poets
2. Bill Moyers interviews the More...
Okay, I will now dispense with my dramatic autobiography and tell you some of the reasons why this book deserves five stars:
1. Modern living poets
2. Bill Moyers interviews the More...
Jun 17, 2009
Stanley
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This book is one of the best compilations of poems and interviews I've ever read. It is so wonderful to read a poem and then get direct insight from the writer as to how they wrote it, why they wrote it and what really inspired them. It is a great teaching book for anyone who is trying to write poetry or any style of writing, music as well.
Feb 22, 2009
Victoria
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If you love poetry, this is a must for your bookshelf. I get it out sporadically just to reconnect with that world. Modern poets are not given the same respect of course as the dead poets, but he does an amazing job of interviewing them not only about their poetry, but about why they wrote what they wrote. EXCELLENT
Aug 08, 2011
This is were I discovered my poetic mother, Lucille Clifton, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Robert Haas, and Coleman Barks translations of Rumi.
Jan 01, 2009
Klgg
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I spent a wonderful spring weekend reading this book from cover to cover. For anyone who loves poetry, this is a discovery of magic!
Dec 15, 2009
John
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If you never went to the "woodstock of poetry" this book captures a segment and the spirit.
Jan 13, 2009
Adam
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Moyers converses with poets of widely varied backgrounds and styles, making this a good read for anyone looking to expose themselves to modern verse.
Each interview is accompanied by samples of the poet's work, and an extensive appendix provides suggestions for future reading.
There were a few moments when I became frustrated with Moyers' line of questioning about a particular poem, but good poems are open to multiple interpretations, and good readers should be open to them
Each interview is accompanied by samples of the poet's work, and an extensive appendix provides suggestions for future reading.
There were a few moments when I became frustrated with Moyers' line of questioning about a particular poem, but good poems are open to multiple interpretations, and good readers should be open to them
Nov 26, 2009
LauraJean
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I'm rereading this book. Wonderful poetry and inspiration to write.
Feb 27, 2008
Jan
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I love this book. It is an anthology of poets edited by Bill Moyers. He interviews each poet asking them about their works. I pick this up all the time and reread sections. I can't recommend it enough to lovers of poetry.
Nov 18, 2007
Katie
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the master moyers.
excellent interviews with, and poems by, various poets at the big festival. great questions and wonderful insight into the minds and processes of some of the greatest contemporary poets out there.
excellent interviews with, and poems by, various poets at the big festival. great questions and wonderful insight into the minds and processes of some of the greatest contemporary poets out there.
Jun 23, 2009
Hazel
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An old friend and sometime companion. Some of the poems are my particular favourites, but they're all worth reading and rereading.
Sep 25, 2007
Dusie Press
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I liked these when they first came out and were still considered, new media! I had to view them at the LRC, via video-tape.... :0
Jul 29, 2008
This is a great collection of interviews with poets from Bill Moyers, one of my heroes!
May 09, 2007
Steph
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modern poets with bill moyer interviews. a way to find new poets to like.
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