The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

John Lithgow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2007

From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems.


The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to readers new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud." This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston.


Every reader will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JOHN LITHGOW is a two-time Tony Award winner, two-time SAG Award winner, two-time Academy Award nominee, and four-time Grammy Award nominee. He has worked extensively on Broadway and in film, and is perhaps most widely known for his role on 3rd Rock from the Sun, for which he also received a Golden Globeand an American Comedy Award. He is also a national bestselling children's author. He has recently teamed with Broadthink to launch The Lithgow Palooza Company, which will promote his original projects for children. The author encourages you to visit their Website at www.lithgowpalooza.com. You can visit our Website at www.hachettebookgroupusa.com

From AudioFile

What happens when you combine the important works of 50 stellar poets with actors as diverse as Jodie Foster, Billy Connolly, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston (to name but a few) and commentary from actor, writer, and poetry lover John Lithgow? You get an outstanding audio presentation that truly matches its billing as The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family. Lithgow assembled works from 50 poets, including Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Ogden Nash, Emily Dickinson, William Blake, and Edgar Allan Poe, and matched them to the actors. The fit is perfect! The icing on this poetic cake is Lithgows expressive commentary before and after each poem. The only negative--the lack of liner notes listing the poet, poem, and actor. While these gifted actors each give a wonderful performance, it would be enormously helpful to have such a reference. M.R.E. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 Har/MP3 edition (November 15, 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0446580023
• ASIN: B0029LHWTU
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #286,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting collection of poetry compiled by a true poetry lover, January 2, 2008

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family (Hardcover)

The Poet's Corner, compiled by John Lithgow presents an expansive collection of poetry, and is accompanied by a bonus MP3 CD featuring readings of poetry by Mr Lithgow and his friends [ Glenn Close, Morgan Freeman, Jodie Foster, Sam Waterston etc].

Though not the most comprehensive collection of poetry, it is a worthy compilation of well-known poetry written in the English language and is sure to find fans, both existing lovers of poetry and those just coming to appreciate the genre.

Each poem that is selected is accompanied by a short bio of the poet and Mr Lithgow's own explanation as to how the piece interests him or its emotional pull for him. The poems are presented by the poet [alphabetically by their last names] beginning with Matthew Arnold, and ending with William Butler Yeats. There are 50 poets in all, and the poems cover different eras, varied subjects, yet are all beguiling and unique in their ability to draw us in and affect us in different ways. Reading this compilation impacted me emotionally, engulfing me in feelings of joy, sadness and even silent contemplation. The bonus CD is another plus and together this is a wonderful and enjoyable compilation of poetry.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive compilation of some of the best poetry I've read in a while., December 14, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family (Hardcover)

Reviewed by Edith Knehans

To many contemporary readers, poetry is frequently overlooked as a muddled source of intuitive literary understanding. Not so! This compendium of poetic charm walks down the primrose path of comfort and clarity. The bonus CD of selected poetry gives you the pleasure of the auditory as well as the visual experience of the collection.

The poems in the collection are extraordinary, soothing, and a bit escapist. What's more, the collection has the breadth to reach a wide audience, from adults to children alike.

The selection of poetry seems to masquerade as an open invitation to the world of the literary. Its seeming elegance deceptively poses as simple verse; the words present themselves as primary and thoughtful. Once the words are in motion, the experience of the poetry cannot be escaped. The readings change from elementary to quixotic, lending to an emotional experience of the prosaic word. The poetry gives rise to the passion for the written word and thoughtful prose of generations of writers.

The range of poetry is no less experiential: from Chaucer to Whitman, there is a wealth of poetic history to be enjoyed within this volume. A bit of biography on the poet is complemented by the poet's writings and considered favorites by many generations of avid literati. This volume of poetic notables is to be savored and enjoyed, for many generations to come.

This is comprehensive compilation of some of the best poetry I've read in a while.

Armchair Interviews says: A worthwhile meditation on a cold and stormy winter's night!

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book od Poetry for All, November 28, 2007

By 

Stephanie Rollins "Bookreviewsrus" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family (Hardcover)

Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family
Compiled by: John Lithgow
Published by: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN: 0-446-58002-3

"A Book of Poetry For All"
Reviewed by: Stephanie Rollins for ReviewYourBook.com
5 stars

I do not like poetry. The last time I read poetry was in college, and I was forced to do so then. However, John Lithgow explains that we all are exposed to poetry on a daily basis. We have been since childhood. There is poetry in nursery rhymes. There is even poetry in songs. However, Lithgow points out that there is a debate about whether or not lyricists are poets.

Lithgow chose 50 poets. They are vastly different. They are from different eras and locations. Some are dark, and some are cheerful. Some are funny, and some are dreary. He describes each poet and each poet's style. The information on each poet was fascinating.

This book would make a great Christmas gift for those who like poetry and/or history. Young or old, this book is one-size-fits-all. I recommend this!

A