The Story of Poetry

The Story of Poetry traces the development of English verse from its Anglo-Saxon origins through modern times. Michael Schmidt examines the evolution of poetic forms, techniques, and traditions across centuries of literary history. The book moves chronologically through major periods and movements, exploring how poetry responded to cultural and societal changes. Each chapter analyzes key poets and their works while placing them within broader historical contexts. Schmidt focuses on the technical aspects of poetry - meter, rhyme, structure - while also discussing the social and political forces that shaped poetic expression. The text includes numerous examples and close readings of specific poems to illustrate its points. This comprehensive study reveals poetry as both an art form and a mirror of human experience, reflecting the continuity of certain themes and concerns across generations while also capturing moments of radical change.

Based on available reviews, readers find Schmidt's history thorough but dense in academic language. Multiple reviewers noted the book's value as a reference text rather than a straight read-through. Readers appreciated: - Detailed technical analysis of poetic forms and meters - Coverage of lesser-known poets alongside major figures - Clear connections between different poetic movements - Strong focus on historical context Common criticisms: - Complex academic writing style limits accessibility - Lack of poem quotations to illustrate points made - Some passages read more like scholarly articles than engaging history Review Stats: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (from 12 reviews) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (from 8 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Not an introductory text. Schmidt assumes substantial prior knowledge of poetry and literary criticism." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "Better suited for grad students and academics than casual poetry readers looking to expand their knowledge." - Amazon UK reviewer

The History of English Poetry by Peter Whitfield This volume traces poetry's evolution from Beowulf to the 20th century through cultural movements and biographical accounts of major poets.

The Making of a Poem by Mark Strand, Eavan Boland The text examines poetic forms and traditions through examples and analysis of foundational works across centuries.

A History of Modern Poetry by David Perkins This work connects the development of poetry to historical events and social changes from the 1890s through the 1960s.

The Poetry Handbook by John Lennard The book breaks down technical aspects of poetry through examination of meter, form, and literary devices across multiple periods.

Lives of the Poets by Michael Schmidt This companion volume presents biographical narratives of poets from the Middle Ages to modern times while connecting their works to broader literary movements.

📚 Michael Schmidt is not only an author but also the founder of Carcanet Press, one of the UK's leading poetry publishers, established in 1969 🎓 The Story of Poetry spans from Caedmon's Hymn in the 7th century to modern times, covering over 1300 years of English poetry evolution ✍️ Schmidt wrote this comprehensive work while serving as Professor of Poetry at Glasgow University and Director of the Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University 🌟 The book explores how the English language itself evolved through poetry, from Old English through Middle English to contemporary forms 📖 Rather than following strict chronological order, the book weaves between time periods to show how poetic themes and techniques echo across centuries, connecting ancient bards to modern poets