Critical Essays on A.R. Ammons

by Robert Kirschten (Editor)

Combines 10 early reviews, two interviews, and 11 recent essays on the work of contemporary American poet Ammons. The authors of reprinted pieces include Wendell Barry, Helen Vendler, Nathan Scott, and Cary Wolfe. Two original essays commissioned for the volume analyze his Tombstone meditations and his Sumerian songs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

407 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Robert Kirschten is the author of James Dickey and the Gentle Ecstasy of Earth: A Reading of the Poems; “Approaching Prayer”: Ritual and the Shape of Myth in A.R. Ammons and James Dickey; and five books of poems, Old Family Movies, Nighthawks and Irises: Poems about Paintings, Chicago Poems, Looney Tunes: A Comic Book of Poems, and Fribble and Wheeze: a post postmodern Book of Poems.

He is the editor of Critical Essays on James Dickey, “Struggling for Wings”: The Art of James Dickey, James Dickey: The Selected Poems, and Critical Essays on A.R. Ammons.

He has written seven screenplays in the genre of broad comedy, including HOTEL SCHOOL, BARREL ROLL, CROSSWORD, and NATURAL HISTORY.

His screenplay HOTEL SCHOOL was winner of the Best Screenplay Award at the Red Wasp Film Festival 2009.

His screenplay BARREL ROLL is winner of the Best Screenplay Award at Red Wasp for 2010.

Kirschten was elected to Who's Who in America 2009.

He has written, directed, and performed in three poetry video DVDs: OLD FAMILY MOVIES: POETRY VIDEO, CHICAGO POEMS: POETRY VIDEO, and NIGHTHAWKS & IRISES: POETRY VIDEO on PAINTINGS at www.oldfamilymovies.com.

He offers a Home/Class Study Course in Poetry Video at www.oldfamilymovies.com.

Kirschten holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Poetry and Poetics.