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War Is Kind and Other Poems
A unique stylist and one of the most innovative and talented writers of his generation, Stephen Crane (1871–1900) won lasting fame as a novelist ( The Red Badge of Courage, A Girl of the Streets ) and short story writer. Described by William Dean Howells as a writer whose genius seemed to "spring to life fully armed," Crane also produced impressive free-form verse.
This excellent anthology contains nearly all of Crane's verse, including two complete books of The Black Riders and Other Lines, which garnered immediate praise; and War Is Kind, ablaze with vivid imagery. Here, too, are rewarding selections from his uncollected poetic works. Thought by some critics to anticipate the Imagist movement of the twentieth century, Crane's poems are usually brief, cadenced, and rhymeless, rich in drama and symbolism, and spiritually penetrating.
This excellent anthology contains nearly all of Crane's verse, including two complete books of The Black Riders and Other Lines, which garnered immediate praise; and War Is Kind, ablaze with vivid imagery. Here, too, are rewarding selections from his uncollected poetic works. Thought by some critics to anticipate the Imagist movement of the twentieth century, Crane's poems are usually brief, cadenced, and rhymeless, rich in drama and symbolism, and spiritually penetrating.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
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About the author
Stephen Crane
1,430 books1,011 followersStephen Crane (1871-1900) was an American novelist, poet and journalist, best known for the novel, The Red Badge of Courage. That work introduced the reading world to Crane's striking prose, a mix of impressionism, naturalism and symbolism. He died at age 28 in Badenweiler, Baden, Germany.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 3, 2014
A little girl walks into a collection of poems and expects them to be black after "A man said to the universe." But they're not. They're not white either, though. Or entirely gray. They're true, whatever color that is.
July 25, 2016
"'War is Kind' and Other Poems" by Stephen Crane is a rich collection of poetry by a person who was pretty prolific during a shortened life that ended at the age of 28. Although mainly known these days for writing 'The Red Badge of Courage,' his poetry is something I'm glad I was introduced to in this volume.
This volume includes two complete, albeit short, books of poems: 'The Black Riders and Other Lines,' and 'War is Kind.' There are also some uncollected poems included. Crane's work has been categorized as Naturalism, Impressionism and American realism. The works don't conform to rhyme or meter. Some don't even have titles.
The writing is strong and bold. The ideas seem more cerebral than emotional. There are arguments with God and even the universe itself. I was surprised at how the poetry had a feeling like it was 20 years ahead of it's time. I really enjoyed this volume of poetry and getting introduced to this side of Stephen Crane.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
This volume includes two complete, albeit short, books of poems: 'The Black Riders and Other Lines,' and 'War is Kind.' There are also some uncollected poems included. Crane's work has been categorized as Naturalism, Impressionism and American realism. The works don't conform to rhyme or meter. Some don't even have titles.
The writing is strong and bold. The ideas seem more cerebral than emotional. There are arguments with God and even the universe itself. I was surprised at how the poetry had a feeling like it was 20 years ahead of it's time. I really enjoyed this volume of poetry and getting introduced to this side of Stephen Crane.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
June 25, 2016
WAR IS KIND AND OTHER POEMS
Written by Stephen Crane
1899 (reissue JUNE 1, 2016); 64 Pages
Genre: poetry
★★★★1/2
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest
War is Kind and Other Poems is a beautiful collection. I have wanted to read Crane's The Red Badge of Courage for quite awhile. I took many history courses in University (an unofficial third major) and I remember a few professors describing this book as a war novel. Seeing this collecting with the word "war" I thought I would try this one first. The title poem, War is Kind is short but captures so much emotion. When you read Crane's words you can almost see the image of it in your head. This is one I left on my eReader for when I need a poem!
Written by Stephen Crane
1899 (reissue JUNE 1, 2016); 64 Pages
Genre: poetry
★★★★1/2
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest
War is Kind and Other Poems is a beautiful collection. I have wanted to read Crane's The Red Badge of Courage for quite awhile. I took many history courses in University (an unofficial third major) and I remember a few professors describing this book as a war novel. Seeing this collecting with the word "war" I thought I would try this one first. The title poem, War is Kind is short but captures so much emotion. When you read Crane's words you can almost see the image of it in your head. This is one I left on my eReader for when I need a poem!
May 25, 2016
I read these many years ago and thought they were the cat’s pajamas – astute and sharply observant.
Reading them now, however, I find some still pungent, but many something you might write down on the back of an envelope when you were younger, thinking you were writing GREAT THOUGHTS, only to reread them a few years later and see that the envelope you wrote them on may be better than your ‘poem.’
Yet there are a handful worth saving, like the three or four beautiful wet stones you pick up on a cobble beach that gleam like precious jewels.
Reading them now, however, I find some still pungent, but many something you might write down on the back of an envelope when you were younger, thinking you were writing GREAT THOUGHTS, only to reread them a few years later and see that the envelope you wrote them on may be better than your ‘poem.’
Yet there are a handful worth saving, like the three or four beautiful wet stones you pick up on a cobble beach that gleam like precious jewels.
June 10, 2012
These poems are moving, heartfelt, and rather cynical. Stephen Crane was an American poet who wrote in the late 1800's. He's pretty remarkable for having written some free verse in that era of meter and rhyme.
Here is how the poem from which the title is derived ends:
"Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind!"
Here is how the poem from which the title is derived ends:
"Mother whose heart hung humble as a button
On the bright splendid shroud of your son,
Do not weep.
War is kind!"
November 17, 2020
Stephen Crane has his own unique style which appears to be the forerunner of the poets in WW1.
October 8, 2020
War Is Kind and Other Poems by Stephen Crane is the collected poetry of the author best known for The Red Badge of Courage. Crane was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism.
I am a fan of all sorts of poetry from classic to modern. I came to enjoy poetry in the doldrums of middle age. Poetry was that college class I struggled through as an undergraduate. I was anxious to learn more important things of the world. Now, I see that there is little that is not dark and confrontational in my chosen field of study, political science. I turned to poetry for a brighter look at life. My original thoughts, and few still linger at present, is that poetry is overly sentimental and idealistic. There like all things is good and bad poetry. Poetry you like. Poetry you dislike.
If there was a starting point for the non-poetry reader to get a feel for the art instead of dropping into dactylic hexameter meter of the Greeks or the romantic or pastoral poets. Something for the average male to pick up without embarrassment that someone might see him reading and reading of all things poetry. This is where Crane steps in. He is a bit sarcastic, doesn't rhyme, and pretty much fearless, even when talking about God. There is no overly sentimental matter, cute cats, lucky clover, helping angels, or even romance. The title poem opens:
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the
sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
It is difficult not to feel the mocking sarcasm in the poem. The reader wanting to his or her place in the universe will find Crane's feelings on the matter:
A man said to the universe
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
Crane is straightforward and to the point in his writing. Rather than calling his work poetry or verse, he went with more a simple, but actually more descriptive term of “lines.” In the big picture, he wrote without regard for the rules but made it work. In like thinking, it is like the difference between classical and rock music. They both serve their purpose but are very different in form. Crane takes the art and strips away everything that is not necessary to convey his message. This is a collection that is perfect for readers who do not like poetry as well as those who savor it.
I am a fan of all sorts of poetry from classic to modern. I came to enjoy poetry in the doldrums of middle age. Poetry was that college class I struggled through as an undergraduate. I was anxious to learn more important things of the world. Now, I see that there is little that is not dark and confrontational in my chosen field of study, political science. I turned to poetry for a brighter look at life. My original thoughts, and few still linger at present, is that poetry is overly sentimental and idealistic. There like all things is good and bad poetry. Poetry you like. Poetry you dislike.
If there was a starting point for the non-poetry reader to get a feel for the art instead of dropping into dactylic hexameter meter of the Greeks or the romantic or pastoral poets. Something for the average male to pick up without embarrassment that someone might see him reading and reading of all things poetry. This is where Crane steps in. He is a bit sarcastic, doesn't rhyme, and pretty much fearless, even when talking about God. There is no overly sentimental matter, cute cats, lucky clover, helping angels, or even romance. The title poem opens:
Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind
Because your lover threw wild hands toward the
sky
And the affrighted steed ran on alone,
Do not weep.
War is kind.
It is difficult not to feel the mocking sarcasm in the poem. The reader wanting to his or her place in the universe will find Crane's feelings on the matter:
A man said to the universe
"Sir, I exist!"
"However," replied the universe,
"The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation."
Crane is straightforward and to the point in his writing. Rather than calling his work poetry or verse, he went with more a simple, but actually more descriptive term of “lines.” In the big picture, he wrote without regard for the rules but made it work. In like thinking, it is like the difference between classical and rock music. They both serve their purpose but are very different in form. Crane takes the art and strips away everything that is not necessary to convey his message. This is a collection that is perfect for readers who do not like poetry as well as those who savor it.
January 7, 2024
Good! Interesting, definitely. Some of his poems I felt were really insightful and cool, and really inspired me to write - others I felt like followed the same pattern of a very transparent metaphor and a final beat that sort of had the feel of “see?” Interesting body of work, though, and a slim little book.
February 14, 2022
LOVELY collection of poems.
April 26, 2015
This cheap Dover edition contains the complete unabridged published poems of Stephen Crane (including 'The Black Riders and Other Lines' and 'War is Kind') as well as a selection of uncollected poems.
The short poems that Crane wrote range from the pedestrian to the genius. Not only worth the short time it takes to read it, but worthy also of several rereads.
The short poems that Crane wrote range from the pedestrian to the genius. Not only worth the short time it takes to read it, but worthy also of several rereads.
February 24, 2009
These are bite-sized poems, tiny little droplets that barely last a moment, but leave you mulling. Crane had a wonderful gift for packing a world of meaning into a few short lines.
July 26, 2014
This was just as good if not better than his other poetry collection I read. His poetry is way too underrated. Read it people it's short.
November 4, 2014
I come back to this every few years and it never loses its power for me.
June 8, 2023
I'm always surprised by how much I love Stephen Crane's poetry (especially since I hated Red Badge of Courage), but he wrote my favorite poem and I always enjoy rereading this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews