The Pleasure of Poetry Reading and Enjoying British Poetry from Donne to Burns

Subjects:

• Literature » Literature (General)
• Literature » English Literature

Reviews:

• To introduce readers to the major works and figures of 17th- and 18th-century British poetry, Nelson uses representative works from poets such as Donne, Jonson, Pope, Swift and Burns to explain their themes, devices, styles, language, rhythm, sound, tone, imagery, form and meaning. He begins each chapter with a sketch of the poet's life and career. The text is written for the general reader.
  —Reference & Research Book News November 2006
• The Pleasure of Poetry: Reading and Enjoying British Poetry from Donne to Burns reviews the major works and poets of 17th and 18th century British history, exploring themes, styles, imagery and meaning and pairing analysis with biographical references for added understanding. While college-level students will be the most likely readers, don't let the scholarly tone deter you if you're a non-college adult seeking better understanding of British poetry: The Pleasure of Poetry explains it all most clearly and is for any who would receive either an introduction or a refresher course under one cover.
  —California Bookwatch October 2006

Table of Contents:

• Introduction to Reading Poetry
• John Donne, Poet of Secular and Sacred Love
• Ben Jonson, Elegist, Satirist, Moralist
• Robert Herrick, Poet of Time, Love, and Delight
• George Herbert, Poet and Priest
• John Milton, Poet of English Puritanism
• Andrew Marvell, Pastoral Poet of Time and History
• John Dryden, Poet of the Restoration
• Jonathan Swift, Satirist, Preacher, and Lover
• Alexander Pope, Satirist and Moralist
• Samuel Johnson, Moralist and Satirist
• Four Eighteenth-Century Poets: Finch, Gray, Goldsmith, Cowper
• Robert Burns, Singer, Satirist, and Story-teller
• Epilogue
• Appendix: Further Reading