Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry

Poetry 180 is on the right side of the poetry battle.

When reading poetry in high school, do you remember running into the concept of "universality," that good poems will take a reader through the private experience of the poem into reflecting on some aspect of his own life, to what is the universal experience of all or most people?

Poetry 180 comes down on the side of the poetry debate that believes good poetry is not some personal, academic secret code largely unknown and undecipherable to the general, poetry reading public. Rather, Billy Collins asserts that good poetry consists of poems that are "accessible" to the general reader, meaning that such poems invite the reader into the poem, instead of leaving him feeling like he is outside the bounds of the inner circle of poets and poetry lovers.

The introductions to Poetry 180, and the sequel, 180 More are worth the price of the books themselves. In Poetry 180, check out the poems, "Listen", "Did I miss anything?", "It's Raining in Love" and "Alzheimer's".

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

So Amazing!

I really enjoyed that the poems are read-able and like-able but they also have depth and meaning. They are good and true. Billy Collins is an amazing poet and he deserves a lot of credit for his work! I highly recommend this book for people starting to read or enjoy poetry. It definitely helps to get the jist of poetry.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

great teaching tool

Actually, this book is great for teachers looking for somewhere to start with poetry in the classroom. This book is based on a program for HIGH SCHOOL students, to expose them to great poets, and to familiarize them with form, style, and so on, so as to encourage further curiosity. This book was put together by Collins as a 'jumping off point,' and it succeeds at being just that. The Poetry 180 website further explains the program and the idea behind it for anyone interested; maybe it's not the 'greatest anthology ever created,' but it should be appreciated as a collection geared toward first-time readers of poetry!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A haphazard selection

There are a gazillion poetry anthologies on the market, some better, some worse, some quite comprehensive, some eclectic with a discernible slant. Billy Collins, a rather entertaining and usually smart poet (although often lacking in depth), has done himself and poetry a disservice here by hurling his name into the crowded field of anthology editors with this haphazard selection that's neither comprehensive nor eclectic -- it's just superficial. This is one book money is wasted on; for poetry lovers, I would recommend any of the recent editions of the 'Best American Poetry' series instead (especially those of 2000 and 2003), or the excellent collection 'Poetry Daily: Poems from the World's Most Popular Poetry Website'.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sarah

well i LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this book so mush one of my fav.s read this now doint just sit there pick this book up and read it you'll be suprized*

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