David Lehman

David Lehman is an American poet, editor, and literary critic born in New York City in 1948. He is best known as the series editor of The Best American Poetry anthology since its inception in 1988, and has significantly shaped contemporary American poetry through this role. Lehman's own poetry collections include "When a Woman Loves a Man," "The Evening Sun," and "The Daily Mirror: A Journal in Poetry." His work often explores themes of Jewish identity, New York City life, and popular culture, frequently employing both formal and experimental techniques. As a critic and scholar, Lehman has written extensively about poetry and culture, publishing works such as "The Last Avant-Garde: The Making of the New York School of Poets" and "The State of the Art: A Chronicle of American Poetry, 1988-2014." His academic career includes teaching positions at Hamilton College, the New School, and other institutions. In addition to poetry and criticism, Lehman has written on broader cultural topics, including "A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs" and "One Hundred Great Poems of the Twentieth Century." His contributions to American letters have been recognized with fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the Ingram Merrill Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Readers appreciate Lehman's work in two distinct capacities: as a poet and as an editor/critic. His poetry collections receive praise for their accessibility and wit, with readers on Goodreads highlighting his ability to blend everyday observations with deeper insights. A reader noted his collection "When a Woman Loves a Man" offers "smart, conversational poems that don't take themselves too seriously." His critical works draw more divided responses. While readers value his knowledge of poetry and cultural history, some find his writing style in critical pieces overly academic. One Amazon reviewer called "The Last Avant-Garde" "informative but dense." The Best American Poetry series, which Lehman edits, generates ongoing debate about selection criteria and representation. Multiple readers have questioned the series' definition of "best" and "American." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Poetry collections average 3.8/5 Amazon: Critical works average 4.1/5 Poetry Foundation reader comments: Mixed engagement, trending positive Best American Poetry series: 3.9/5 average across volumes

The Last Avant-Garde: The Making of the New York School of Poets (1998) Chronicles the lives and works of poets John Ashbery, Frank O'Hara, Kenneth Koch, and James Schuyler in post-war New York.

The Perfect Murder: A Study in Detection (1989) Examines detective fiction through analysis of works by Poe, Conan Doyle, Christie, and others.

Signs of the Times: Deconstruction and the Fall of Paul de Man (1991) Documents the controversy surrounding Yale professor Paul de Man's wartime writings and their impact on literary theory.

The Daily Mirror: A Journal in Poetry (2000) Collection of poems written daily over the course of one year, reflecting on life in New York City.

The Evening Sun: A Journal in Poetry (2002) Second collection of daily poems continuing the format established in The Daily Mirror.

When a Woman Loves a Man (2005) Poetry collection exploring themes of love, relationships, and gender dynamics in contemporary life.

A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters, American Songs (2009) Historical account of Jewish composers and lyricists who created the American songbook in the 20th century.

Yeshiva Boys (2009) Poetry collection drawing on Jewish themes, childhood memories, and contemporary American life.

New and Selected Poems (2013) Compilation of Lehman's poetry from various collections spanning multiple decades.

Sinatra's Century: One Hundred Notes on the Man and His World (2015) Collection of one hundred brief essays examining different aspects of Frank Sinatra's life and cultural impact.

Billy Collins writes accessible poetry focused on everyday observations and experiences. His work, like Lehman's, combines humor with thoughtful reflection on contemporary American life.

John Ashbery employs stream-of-consciousness and experimental techniques in his poetry. His work shares Lehman's interest in combining high culture with pop culture references.

Mark Strand creates poems that explore identity and consciousness through narrative techniques. His work connects to Lehman's interest in mixing memoir with poetry and examining the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Kenneth Koch developed work that combines serious literary endeavors with playful language and wit. His poetry and teaching methods parallel Lehman's approach to making poetry both intellectual and engaging.

Charles Simic writes poetry that blends Eastern European sensibilities with American cultural observations. His work shares Lehman's interest in examining cultural intersections and the role of memory in creative writing.