American Poetry Anthology

by Daniel Halpern (Editor)

Within these pages lie the future of American poetry and a vigorous, attractive present. Here are seventy-six younger poets, whose work chosen by a peer, represents the best poetry written in recent years. Many of the poets have established careers. Others are emerging into America's poetic consciousness; their work has won important prizes and gathered critical acclaim. The collection includes a variety of unpublished poems, works which bode well as a promise of the future.

Genres: Poetry

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Mila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me not finishing this book is my way of finally fighting the sunk cost fallacy.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I read this in June 1990 because I mentioned it multiple times in my journal from that year. I especially liked "Alcestis on the Poetry Circuit" by Erica Jong.

The best slave
does not need to be beaten.
She beats herself.

[Catherine Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

the gods walked down
from the mountain we built for them

-Louise Gluck, 'The Garden'

[kazure007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always going back to this so marking it as read, well...I have but not cover to cover. I take it when the mood strikes, like a glass of wine, or a pomegranate.
Like any anthology of poetry, it's full of great poems and then, not so great. We all have different tastes and that's what's so wonderful about poetry. There are a bajillion ideas thoughts and feelings expressed by a jillion poets and a mix and match of everything in an anthology. It's like a poetic smorgasboard. I recommend any poetry anthology. This is old (copywrite 1975)I got it at a garage sale or maybe goodwill. It's got some of todays better known poets though. . . Rita Dove, Carolyn Forche, Marilyn Hacker, Thomas Lux, Alice Walker. A lot of these were their first attempts probably, so I think that's pretty cool. Check it out if you can find it.

[Martin Bihl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview - at times very hit-or-miss - of the future of american poetry in 1975. worthwhile

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading from this anthology for about 30 years. I have a few favorites, and there are some that make me uncomfortable. I like Mark Strand's anthologies better, but oh, well.