The Best Loved Poems of the American People

My mom gave this book to me when I was a little kid and I have l

My mom gave this book to me when I was a little kid and I have loved it ever since! Great poems for everyone: kids, romantics, religious folk, those in grieving etc. If you can get a copy of this book -- DO SO! You won't regret it!!!

My all-time favorite book of poetry!

My mother read to me and my three sisters from this book hundreds of times. I always asked for the same poems over and over - and still to this day can recall the page number of my favorite - "Poor Lil Brack Sheep" - page 313. I bought myself a copy back in 1976 - it helped get me through a rough divorce and brought me joy in a subsequent marriage. I did not read to my own kids often enough - SHAME ON ME for that. My Mom just passed away last June - and now I find comfort in the pages of poems she read to us so often. I plan to read more to my grand daughter to make amends . .. .

Four Generations and still going...

My Dad received this book from a girlfriend before he and my mom were married. I grew up having these poems read to me and later reading them myself. My father's personal favorite was "The Red Balloon." One of mine was "The Hell-Bound Train,"(when I was a child) but there were so many more. "The Touch of the Master's Hand," (read at my Father's funeral), "Old Ironsides," the poem that saved the USS Constitution from destruction, poems of joy, sadness, vanity, love, yearnings...

My grandfather from my mother's side would recite poetry by the hour from memory. It became a family challenge and enjoyable contest when we were together to be able to recite these stories.

I bought my copy and read these poems to my own children as they grew up; as did my brother with his family.

The poems, most of which were written a hundred + years ago are meaningful to this day.

My son, an English major, holds the opinion that the reason why poetry is not popular today is because the poets have become their own audience. They write only for other poets. That might be a popular opinion for all I know, but I certainly agree. The poets from this book and from these times were writing for you and me; hence, their continuing popularity.

The book has so many categories. Humor, Patriotism, Poems that tell a Story, Inspiration, and so forth. There is something for every family member and they can be read aloud as family readings. In fact, I highly recommend it. I will be reading them to my grandchildren soon.

For those who want a shorter version, and which focuses on the more somber issues, a book entitled, "101 Best-Loved Poems" contains many of the same poems and was first published in 1916, compiled by Roy J. Cook. My edition of this book was published in 1958. Barnes & Noble appear to have later editions.

The best poetry book in the world

I have searched high and low for this book. I am currently living in the U.S. and my copy is at home in Canada. It was given to me years ago by my grandmother and grandfather who have now passed away. It is so inspirational, I am going to buy a second copy today. I will pass this book along to my son one day and hopefully he will pass it along through the generations.

What a gift...

This book was given to me by my sixth grade teacher in 1966 - my first introduction to poetry. I have looked back to it many, many times when I needed to say a certain thing at a certain time - and have always found it in this book. I went on to get my masters in English, and now teach high school English and Composition.

Some gifts inspire and last a lifetime...

This book was given to me by my Journalism teacher in 1967, when I graduated from high school. It has been a source of inspiration throughout my life. I took the long way to college; wife, mother, career and finally at fifty I earned my masters degree-At my graduation I read from the yellow and dog eared pages the poem my journalism teacher had dedicated to me years and years earlier;"It Couldn't Be Done." This book is a treasured possession and it makes a wonderful gift.

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