The History of English Poetry cover art

The History of English Poetry

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £17.99

Buy Now for £17.99

About this listen

English literature is a treasure trove of wonderful poetry. From Shakespeare to Milton, Keats to Shelley and Tennyson to Yeats, this accessible history (especially written for Naxos Audiobooks) introduces the listener to countless small masterpieces, including all the old favorites and some lesser-known gems.

Whitfield explores this most expressive of art forms and traces the historical development of a rich and diverse canon of poetical works. The lyrical powers of the most remarkable poets of the English language are illustrated with over 70 extracts.

This is the latest release from Naxos Audiobooks' successful History series, which includes accounts of English literature, theatre, and opera.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2009 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2009 Naxos Audiobooks Classics Poetry English Poetry
All stars
Most relevant
This book covers a brief history of English poetry from beowulf to the 1960's encompassimg English and American poets. Lucid commentary and good readings from Jacob. Could have done with a little more poetry and less commentary perhaps. But you certainly get the sweep of history and poetic movements. Peters out after modernism, thankfully because who wants a disjointed narrative of postmodernism.

Great survey of poetry

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a novice in the field and history of poetry. I found this introduction both informative and inspiring. The overall narration by Derek Jacobi was as brilliant, as you would expect. The poetry readings by various artists were good.
A number of commenters have pointed out the books limitations, such as its infrequent female voices and I would add to this its failure to include poetry from the multicultural world, that the English language has been part of for several centuries. However, that said I have been encouraged by this book to continue the poetic journey and make those and other discoveries along the way.

An Ideal Gateway Into The World Of English Poetry.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I struggled to understand poetry before this book but brilliantly explained and narrated a revelation

profoundly illuminating and worth every penny

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My interest in poetry had waned in recent years but listening to this book has inspired me to seek out more, Blake, Tennyson, Plath the full canon. My imagination has been restoked.

Enchanting, informative, re-awakened a love

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love the fact that I can't deny how much I have learned from this book! a lot.

Didactic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews