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A longtime reader and listener of poetry, actor Lithgow has carefully selected 50 poems, written in English from the Middle Ages to modern day, and presented them in alphabetical rather than chronological order. The result is some interesting contrasts; for example, Gertrude Stein follows Edmund Spenser. Designed to appeal mostly to those new to poetry, this book focuses on well-known poems from such notables as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ezra Pound. Not forgetting the children, Lithgow also includes Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky" and Edward Lear's "The Owl and the Pussycat." The clearly articulated reading by Lithgow, as well as such "special guests" as Susan Sarandon, Sam Waterston, Morgan Freeman, and Kathy Bates, underscores the importance of poetry being spoken. Lithgow introduces each selection with a short biography of the poet and then follows with an insightful, often personal commentary. This collection will delight listeners, both those new to the genre and those looking for their favorites presented in a fresh, new format.
—Nancy R. Ives
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
John Lithgow is the New York Times bestselling author of I Got Two Dogs, Mahalia Mouse Goes to College, Marsupial Sue Presents: The Runaway Pancake, I'm A Manatee, Micawber, Marsupial Sue, The Remarkable Farkle McBride, and Carnival of the Animals. An award-winning actor, he has starred on stage, film, and television. He performs concerts across the country, and has recorded the CDs Farkle and Friends, Singin' in the Bathtub and The Sunny Side of the Street. Visit John at lithgowforkids.com.
Anonymous
Posted December 20, 2011
This is a great book. I like the variety of selections from so many different writers. I also like that it is not always the most famous poems by a certain author. For example, The Road Not Taken is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems, but it is not the one in the book. It is refreshing to read something a little less famous, but equally as good. The CD is the perhaps the best part. While it is great to read the poem for yourself, you can often get even more out of a poem by hearing someone else read it. It is just an all-around awesome book. I am having a hard time putting its down; not that I want to.
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Posted September 24, 2011
I love the selecred works, but was so disappointed this one didnt have at leak a link where one could go listen to the audio sections. Very diappointed to not get to hear JL's timbre. Will be more careful and choose the version nexr time.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A must read for those who wish to contemplate life's give and take. Lithgow's inclusions not only tell us about him but ourselves as well. Our humanity is discussed in mighty detail.
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Posted March 23, 2009
John Lithgow has given parents another terrific little book. For parents who need a refresher course on poets they learned about in school or for children just beginning to appreciate poetry, this little gem will be invaluable.
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Posted March 16, 2009
We watched Bill Moyers' interview with John Lithgow; the next week my husband gave me the book as a birthday gift. We enjoy browsing through the poems and reading them aloud. Lithgow's stories about the poets, and his critiques of the poems he has selected for this anthology, are a special part of our enjoyment.
We have been motivated to find and read aloud other poems we have loved, going back to our English and American lit courses and more contemporary sources as well.
This book is prominently displayed on our coffee table.
Pleasantly-Pleased
Posted February 20, 2009
This is a wonderful book. I absolutely love the poetry collection and listening to the MP3 CD. I can easily curl up with this book. Unfortunately, the last reviewer neglected to realize that it was an MP3 CD and not a regular CD and gave this book a bad review because they could not get the disc to work in the wrong kind of player. The disc that comes with the book is full of fabulous readings of some of the poems, and it will work in any computer or MP3 disc reader. This would be a wonderful addition to any book, or audio, collection!
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Overview
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 ...