American Poetry In the Twentieth Century

by Kenneth Rexroth

One of America's leading poets and critics offers a major interpretation of the poetry and poets of modern America, from the radical bohemians at the turn of the century through the leftist poets of the twenties, the reactionaries of the thirties and forties, the gradual emergence of the San Francisco school after the Second World War, to the more recent poetry of Allen Ginsberg, Philip Whalen, Gary Snyder. It is a work of re-experiencing the poems themselves, and in the process Kenneth Rexroth provides a controversial new look at the standard authors and boldly redefines the value of such poets as Levertov, Moore, and Lowell. This new paperback edition has been supplemented by a complete index of poets and a list of suggested readings

Genres: Poetry

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Kenneth Rexroth was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist.

He is regarded as a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance, and paved the groundwork for the movement. Although he did not consider himself to be a Beat poet, and disliked the association, he was dubbed the "Father of the Beats" by Time magazine.

Largely self-educated, Rexroth learned several languages and translated poems from Chinese, French, Spanish, and Japanese. He was among the first poets in the United States to explore traditional Japanese poetic themes and forms.

Rexroth died in Santa Barbara, California, on June 6, 1982. He had spent his final years translating Japanese and Chinese women poets, as well as promoting the work of female poets in America and overseas.

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this at a used bookstore. I always like reading Rexroth- both his poetry and literary criticism. This book is fun because it is pretty gossipy about a time period that interests me. Kind of like hearing some juicy stuff about some stuffed shirt relatives you only thought you knew...

[Sherry Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some ideas a little dated but nevertheless some iconoclastic and thought-provoking observations of the American poetry scene. BTW, I read the paperback copy.

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating overview of the literary schools and time line of 20th century American poetry and the associated cultural views and events surrounding its major figures.

[Ulises Cabanillas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Antología poética "a la Rexroth", luego de leerla me interesa aun más leer su autobiografía