Poetry for Dummies

by The Poetry Center, John Timpane, Maureen Watts

Book Overview

Demystify and appreciate the pleasures of poetry

Sometimes it seems like there are as many definitions of poetry as there are poems. Coleridge defined poetry as "the best words in the best order." St. Augustine called it "the Devil's wine." For Shelley, poetry was "the record of the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds." But no matter how you define it, poetry has exercised a hold upon the hearts and minds of people...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764552724
• ISBN13: 9780764552724
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Don't know a Haiku from an Achoo? This Book's for You!

A few years ago I got in touch with my talent for writing poetry, and this book was one of the first I bought as a way to learn more about the variety of ways to write the little darlings. An informative introduction to the writing of poetry for anyone who wants to try their own hand at it. Easy to understand, detailed, and just plain fun to read.

A great read

The authors have a gift for writing good simple prose as well as good poetry. Like others I had my doubts about this book but it was a surprise. It was so well written that I found it hard to put down. I've read it many times but still have it close by to aid me in my poetic jottings. What I liked best was their style of writing, very hip and trendy. It brings poetry into the 21st century.

Helpful for beginners!

It's good for getting acquainted with some famous poets and some poetic forms. I'd recommend it for high school students. For those with basic knowledge of poetry and meters and scheme, I'd recommend "How to Read a Poem: and fall in love with poetry" by Edward Hirsch, which helps with the art of interpreting. But it's not as easy reading as this book (which I applaud for it simplicity).

Never Expected it to Be This Good.....

Poetry for Dummies was another of those books I was really hoping I didn't like. The whole "For Dummies" series gets on my nerves to begin with, so it is double trouble when I picked this title up and found it valuable on so many counts.The opening section: Poetry 101 is an excellent read and in and of itself makes the book worth the purchase. Each chapter clearly marks the intent across the top and is chock filled with check lists, hints and suggestions for the reader AND the practicing (new and old alike) poet. I was thinking, "This will all be old hat, I am sure" until I saw the authors include the staff from The Poetry Center in San Francisco.What poet or poet-in-the-making doesn't nod, smile and point when we read this affirmation? "Poetry has more meaning, music and emotion per words, per syllable, per letter than any other kind of writing." (I could have sworn I heard an "Amen!" from the crowd or maybe... that was me.)The book also includes some very valuable appendices with websites and poetry organizations.Excellent resource for all poets and the people who love them. Check this one out.

Simplifying the Obscure in Poetry

Poetry For Dummies is the first book of its kind to be readable, sensible and understandable. For the novice or the more proficient, it is a great source book. Lots of innovative ideas and suggestions as well as rock solid poetic info! The college course I took in Creative Poetry (an upper division course!) didn't give me the easy access and insight that this book did.Guess I qualify as a "Dummie!"