Classic American Poetry [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Garrick Hagon (Narrator), William Hootkins (Narrator), Liza Ross (Narrator)

Book Description

Series: Poetry | Publication Date: July 2000

Poetry, Whitman believed, is the voice of the nation. This wide-ranging anthology reflects the changing pre-occupations and visions of Americans from the 16th century to the present day. Here are 65 poems by the leading classic figures in American poetry, including Longfellow, Poe, Dickinson, Whitman, Frost and E. E. Cummings as well as popular anonymous works such as Frankie and Johnny which are an integral part of American consciousness.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up-From the 17th century words of Anne Bradstreet to the 20th century lines of Alice Walker, this collection of 65 poems is a brief sampling of the diverse voices in American literary history. It includes poetry from well-known authors such as Longfellow, Poe, Whitman and Cummings, and anonymous pieces from Native and African American cultures. This anthology was compiled and produced by Garrick Hagon, one of six performers with British and American credits who read with passion and pace. Highlighting lesser-known works by authors such as Dickinson and Thoreau, and less familiar authors such as Elinor Wylie and Frances E.W. Harper offers poetry fans a chance for discovery A lengthy essay in the liner notes traces the development of various movements in American poetry and provides a list of poems on the cassettes. One minor error incorrectly places some of the poems from side one on side two. The notes also identify each reader and the titles of the music used for interludes. The inclusion of poems such as "The Star Spangled Banner" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" make this useful for history classes as well as literature and writing courses. A useful purchase for school and public libraries.
Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

Much of American poetry before Whitman, Dickinson, and Frostis passé today. College anthologies rarely include Henry WadsworthLongfellow or John Greenleaf Whittier or William Cullen Bryant, thoseGreat American Poets of the 1800s. This excellent selection of 65American poems brings back those names, along with "Hiawatha," "TheRaven," "Annabel Lee," "Old Ironsides," and "The Indian Student," allthe favorites from our collective childhood--omitting only, it seems,"The Skeleton in Armor" and "Evangeline." It takes a certain courageand incredible skill to deliver all the verses of "The Star-SpangledBanner" and "Frankie and Johnny" without falling into melody, and thisskilled ensemble delivers a highly accomplished reading of a host ofAmerican classic poems, in the tones and accents in which they havetraditionally been heard. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland,Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks; Unabridged edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 962634198X
• ISBN-13: 978-9626341988
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best way to enjoy poetry, June 12, 2002

By 

"honeydick" (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic American Poetry (Audio CD)

poetry is one of those things wich either you can't stand or simply love. Having been exposed to very little myself I decided to give this coolection a try. I have purchased Naxos products in the past so I considered myself to be safe. Naxos after all is a great publisher. Well, I popped in the first CD and boy I was drawn in. The various readers used on this production were simply outstanding. I have never heard such narration before. I don't know why the reviewer below me is complaining. I have very little knowledge about the poets included in this collection but I feel I got a crash course in some ways. It was a pleasure to simply listen to the text being read. It makes for a great companion when enjoying a good cup of coffee as well. I will most definitely buy more poetry collections done by Naxos; in fact I have started listening to another set all ready. Bravo to the readers and to a fine audiobook. It is one of those books I will listen to over and over again for the works here are timeless indeed.
This audiobook contains two CD's. The narration is done by a variety of readers and the poems are complemented with musical interludes.

25 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty awful., January 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic American Poetry (Audio Cassette)

There's a reason great actors get paid the big bucks: their voices have a quality that makes anything they read interesting and thought-provoking. Not so with these amateurs. They all sound like my past English teachers who made me hate poetry. Having no inate vocal qualities, they over emphasize every word and emotion, like someone reading a poem to young children. There is no subtlety or sub-text. If you just want to hear some famous poetry, maybe you'll like this. But if you're looking for something that will actually move you as you listen, this ain't it.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic American Poetry: 65 Poems by Longfellow, Poe, Emerson, Whitman, Frost, Cummings and Many More, November 9, 2006

By 

Ronald J. Elstad (california, us) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic American Poetry (Audio CD)

I was completely satisfied with my transaction.