Henry David Thoreau, The Poet's Delay: A Collection of Poetry by America's Greatest Observer of Nature [Hardcover]

Henry David Thoreau (Author), Winslow Homer (Painter), John Singer Sargent (Painter)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1992

An anthology of nature poems by the author of Walden features poetry concerned with how one lives in nature and complemented by watercolor illustrations by Homer, Singer Sargent, and others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (October 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084781632X
• ISBN-13: 978-0847816323
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,012,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful addition to any Thoreau library, December 9, 2004

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Henry David Thoreau, The Poet's Delay: A Collection of Poetry by America's Greatest Observer of Nature (Hardcover)

This volume certainly isn't the first (or last) publication to match Henry David Thoreau's words with beautiful photos. The differences here are that (a) the text is solely Thoreau's poetry, and (b) the accompanying visuals are pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It is Thoreau's *prose* that is most often quoted and reprinted ad infinitum. In spite of the fact that he described himself as a poet by profession, today Thoreau's poetry is frequently dismissed as being sub-par or not worth considering at all. This treatment serves to remedy that situation.

Here, 52 poems are illustrated with the work of more than 20 artists. Sixteen of the paintings are from Winslow Homer and six are from John Singer Sargent. Putting Thoreau's words next to Homer's artwork is a perfect match. Both men were inspired by the natural world and conveyed their connectedness in their creations.

One of the most compelling entries is not Nature-oriented. "I Am the Little Irish Boy" tells the story of a youngster whose father was a railroad worker. The facing page shows Jessie Wilcox Smith's red-haired tyke looking out from her illustration called "When Daddy was a Little Boy." The well-dressed boy in the picture is better off than the one described in the poem, and yet his eyes will catch you and make you think about the similarities instead.

This smallish coffee table book could be opened to a different poem and painting each day, it's that nice. Scoop one up if you can find it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect combination, August 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Henry David Thoreau, The Poet's Delay: A Collection of Poetry by America's Greatest Observer of Nature (Hardcover)

Winslow Homer's watercolors perfectly complement Thoreau's works. For someone new to Thoreau's poetry, it is an enchanting collection sure to engage, capturing the essence of New England nature, and Transcendentalist philosophy. It is a beautiful tribute to two who were masters of their crafts.