The Best American Poetry series

The Best American Poetry series, published annually since 1988, compiles 75 poems selected by a different guest editor each year. The editor, chosen by series editor David Lehman, reviews poetry published in literary journals and magazines during the previous year to make their selections. Each volume opens with an introduction by the guest editor explaining their selection process and perspective on contemporary American poetry. The poems appear alphabetically by author's last name, with biographical notes and statements from the poets about their work included at the back of the book. The series serves as a snapshot of American poetry at a particular moment, capturing diverse voices and styles from both established and emerging poets. Through its rotating editorship and commitment to featuring work from print and online journals across the country, the collection aims to represent the breadth of American poetry being written and published. This long-running anthology series raises questions about what makes a poem "best" and how tastes in poetry shift over time. The varying aesthetics and priorities of each year's editor create an ongoing dialogue about the state of contemporary poetry.

Readers appreciate the diverse selection of contemporary American poetry and the rotating guest editors who bring fresh perspectives each year. Many note that having different editors prevents the series from becoming stagnant or biased toward one style. Common praise focuses on the detailed introductions and editor commentary that provide context for each poem's selection. Readers mention using the collections to discover new poets and stay current with poetry trends. Main criticisms include inconsistent quality between volumes and claims that selections can be too academic or experimental. Some readers note certain years feel politically motivated rather than focused on poetic merit. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (averaged across multiple volumes) Amazon: 4.1/5 Sample reader comment: "Each volume serves as a time capsule of American poetry, though the quality varies drastically depending on the guest editor's taste" - Goodreads reviewer Critics frequently debate whether the series truly represents the "best" American poetry or simply reflects editorial preferences.

The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry by Jahan Ramazani This two-volume collection presents a comprehensive selection of significant American and British poetry from the twentieth century through established and emerging voices.

The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry by J.D. McClatchy This collection spans multiple decades of American poetry and represents diverse poetic movements through works from 65 distinguished poets.

Good Poems by Garrison Keillor The collection brings together poems from the daily radio program "The Writer's Almanac" and covers subjects from love to death through accessible yet meaningful verses.

Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry by Billy Collins This anthology presents poems selected for their ability to speak to readers through clear language and contemporary themes while maintaining literary merit.

The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry by Rita Dove The compilation traces the evolution of American poetry through the 1900s with selections that reflect cultural shifts and societal changes.

🌟 Each annual volume has a different guest editor, who selects 75 poems they consider the best from American literary journals published that year. 📚 The series began in 1988 and has become one of the most prestigious and anticipated annual poetry publications in American literature. ✍️ Some notable guest editors have included John Ashbery, Rita Dove, Billy Collins, and Adrienne Rich, each bringing their unique perspective to the selection process. 🏆 The series sparked controversy in 2015 when it was revealed that poet Michael Derrick Hudson used an Asian pseudonym (Yi-Fen Chou) to publish his work, leading to discussions about identity and authenticity in poetry. 📖 Series editor David Lehman writes an introduction for each volume, chronicling the state of American poetry and providing context for the year's selections.