Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway ... and More

By Stan Lathan

Book Overview

This upbeat, one-of-a-kind collection brings the Def poets -- as featured in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show and popular HBO television program -- to life on the page. Among them: Suheir Hammad,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743476212
• ISBN13: 9780743476218
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.8" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Loved It

I really loved this book. It had great poem some that are not shown on t.v. I really liked reading myself to get the full dept of each poem...

What I've Been Waiting For!!!

I saw the group of eight in concert about a month ago and I was so disappointed to see the performance end. I REALLY enjoyed their poetry and this book just gave me another dose of it. Sometimes you need another dose to fully get into poets, because when Beau Sia came to Northern Michigan University, I didn't care for him. I didn't think he was funny. But when I saw him in Chicago, I cracked up. Poets are funny people. Sometimes they just take some getting used to and some grow on you before they can open their mouth (i.e. Lemon). I'm curious why the ninth poet wasn't on the tour, but atleast I got to read his poetry in this book, which was excellent from beginning to end. My favorite poem is "Love Poem" by Lemon, but the rest are all good in separate styles. All the different techniques and language are what make this group so entertaining. Keep up the great work! I was advertising for them coming to Chicago like I would get commission for it and I'm going to do the book the same way!

Poetry for the Mind

This book manages to capture the whole Broadway show and then some in 209 pages. I find the poetry in this book phenomenal and very truthful. I recommend this book to anybody who loves poetry and has and has an open mind. The actual Broadway show was magnificent, the TV show is wonderful?and if you haven?t read the book, it is excellent!

Insightful, provactive, and honest

The Def Poets words lose none of their punch or power on the page. Although I wish there was a cd as well, to fully convey the voice of the poets, the book is a good substitute. As a teacher, I find it great resource for my poetry unit. Unlike the same old Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, etc...they get to read the relevant and well spoken poets of their generation.The tv show is amazing on HBO, and if you get a chance to see it, the live show is also incredible!An advisory...if you're right wing, intolerant, or closeminded, this isn't for you.